One respected operator tells routeone of a recent Driver CPC (DCPC) course that he block-booked for himself and his drivers.
It sums up exactly what is wrong with the DCPC regime. The first day, a valuable refresher of drivers’ hours legislation. The second, wasted listening to how goods are safely secured to a lorry.
The amount of value that the latter has to a coach or bus driver is obvious, and it illustrates that the world of third-party DCPC training is certainly one of ‘buyer beware’.
That will remain the case even after whatever the shambolic process of exiting the EU eventually delivers, as DCPC is sure to stay a part of the training landscape regardless of the UK’s future relationship with Europe.
That’s why it’s interesting to hear of an operator that has tailored one of its DCPC modules to a subject that will become increasingly relevant to some parts of the industry: How to efficiently handle an electric bus.
It has worked in partnership with a local training provider to develop and launch the course, and – in another important point – participation will be open to other operators and their drivers.
Perhaps that gives an idea of where DCPC training in the passenger-carrying industry should go in the future. Coach and bus drivers learning how to strap pallets to a trailer gives no benefit to anyone, least of all them. But operators working together and with training providers to develop bespoke courses that are tailored to their sector’s needs will represent money well spent.
More and more is expected from drivers, and the penalties can be draconian when they get things wrong. DCPC training is a good start to put them on the right track, but only if it is effective.
