Second round of Nottingham city taxi drivers to graduate with NVQ

Taxi drivers involved in a training scheme supported by Experience Nottinghamshire, will be graduating tomorrow at Trent Bridge cricket ground after completing a course designed to enhance the visitor experience.

It’s the second graduation ceremony this year, and more than 100 drivers have benefitted from the training that took place between January and June 2009. All graduates have achieved an NVQ level 2 in the Road Passenger Vehicle Driver course, provided by ABA Training Ltd.

The course is designed to develop skills in disability awareness and health and safety, as well as local tourism knowledge. It enables drivers to provide an overall better customer service and improved visitor experience for tourists.

It’s been hugely popular, in particular among two of the biggest taxi firms in the county, DG Cars and Trent Cars. Their involvement came about as a result of their alliance with the Association of Nottingham Private Hire Operators.

Mark Cartledge, Chairman of the Association of Nottingham Private Hire Operators said:

"The association has been a major supporter, contributor and promoter to the development, introduction and delivery of training for Private Hire drivers in the city.

I am delighted that so many drivers have engaged with this training and with such enthusiasm and commitment. My hope is that over time, and through the delivery of improved customer service, Nottingham Private Hire drivers will be seen in a totally different and more professional light, enabling them to act as unofficial ambassadors on behalf of the city."

Catherine Higham, Quality and Skills Manager of Experience Nottinghamshire commented:

"Each taxi driver is an unofficial ambassador for Nottingham and Nottinghamshire and we hope that the skills and knowledge gained during the course will help them to further improve their levels of customer service and to promote the city to a growing number of visitors."

Anne Howes, Training Manager for ABA Training said: "We are very proud of all the drivers who have shown such dedication and enthusiasm in successfully completing the course.

This course has been a real success and much of that is due to the way drivers have supported and encouraged each other in taking up the challenge of learning new skills to improve their service."