Lanarkshire operator Park’s of Hamilton has enhanced training provision for its coach drivers after being the first company to complete the new Train the Trainer programme from training partner People 1st International.
The participants of the course include the operator’s Assistant Operations Manager, depot trainers, driving instructors, and compliance and traffic officers, who were each presented with a Certificate in Training Design and Delivery in September.
The five-day programme involved a “blended learning approach” with virtual classrooms and in-person practical sessions and assessments. Learners were “equipped with transferable skills to design, deliver and evaluate training on any topic”.
It comes in response to the current shortages of coach drivers and increased workload for Park’s following the closure of several coach companies. The certificates give Park’s the ability to design, develop, deliver and evaluate training sessions aimed at groups and individuals to a professional standard. It recognises the need to train coach drivers intended to fill existing vacancies, and provide refresher training for existing drivers.
The programme was delivered by Rose Reid Training and principal trainer Margaret Rose Reid. She was assisted by associate trainer Tim Ripper. Each have over a decade of experience as approved trainers with People 1st International.
“The course was very enjoyable, informative and fun,” says William Dunsmore, Assistant Operations Manager at Park’s Blantyre Depot. “It allows us to update current training skills and train new trainers to deliver in-house CPC training for drivers.”
Adds Margaret Rose Reid: “It was fantastic to have the opportunity to guide the participants to grow in confidence and competence, while having fun using a structured and highly interactive approach.
“With a focus on practising new skills during the programme, along with constructive feedback, this enabled them to use what they learned to good effect straight away.”
