why the training is needed

Driving taxis and Private Hire vehicles for a living is an important job. Passengers have to reach their destinations in a safe, timely fashion. The consequence of not doing so not only impacts on drivers and passengers but can also severely affect the general public and impact larger business outcomes.

Everyone takes taxis - from young to old. There's a great reliance in the East of England on Taxi/PHV to get children to and from school, shopping trips, hospital appointments, catching trains and planes, business meetings - etc.

The growth and development of the Thames Gateway, and the Olympic villages, will increase the need for taxis provision within the area.

Councils and other bodies are insisting on personal training and development to be a key factor when awarding contracts for services.

However...

The Taxi/PHV industry has a poor image and seen as a low skill making it difficult to attract and retain drivers. Statistics prove this sector contributes over £250bn to the economy and provides work for 250,000+ drivers

Feedback from the Taxi/PHV industry studies (Conducted by GoSkills) shows that:

• The industry image needs improving
• Most problems occur because drivers don't have the necessary skills to handle situations
• Skills development needs to be encouraged/made mandatory, and based on national occupational standards for the industry
• Development should be available for all employed/self employed on an equal opportunity basis

who will benefit

Hackney drivers, PHV drivers, chauffers, controllers, transport managers, team leaders, and managers will all find the training relevant to their role.

The knowledge workshops deliver generic training such as legislation, codes of practice, behaviour and attitude. The work-based learning is tailored specifically to the job role.

the qualification

There are two nationally recognised qualifications for the transport industry: -

• VRQ Level 2 BTEC Award in Transporting Passengers by Taxi and Private Hire
• NVQ Level 2 NVQ in Road Passenger Vehicle Driving

Both these qualifications have been written specifically by the Passenger Transport industry for people working in the Industry, and are accredited by Edexcel.

As nationally recognised qualifications they are "stay for life". Unlike localised training courses they do not have to be renewed and will be recognised across the UK and beyond as well as across other industries.

VRQ is a knowledge-based qualification and is delivered through a series of short, but informative workshops.

NVQ is a competency-based qualification based on specific job roles, which is assessed during normal working activities.

By combining the two, people will be tested for what they know and what they do, against national standards.

Driving To Success is tailored to incorporate both these qualifications into one programme seamlessly.

The NVQ allows support staff to undertake the course along with drivers, thereby improving communication and team working.

The Training Programme

The training is an 11 week course, consisting of a variety of training sessions and on-the job assessments. The 4 training sessions are:-

1. Customer Service

• good communication and positive working relationships
• develop and maintain good customer service
• dealing and resolving difficult situations
• conflict resolution

2. Equal Opportunities and Disability Awareness

• legislation in the context of passenger transport
• discrimination in the context of passenger transport
• duties and responsibilities in offering non-discriminatory passenger transport service
• recognising disabilities and impairments
• providing sensitive assistance for users of passengers transport
• technology and equipment to support transporting people with disabilities

3. Safety & Carriage of Luggage

• examine health & safety in relating to operating a tax/PHV service
• hazards and risk awareness
• how to respond to accidents and emergencies
• investigate how vehicles can be safely maintained and operated
• obligations of the licensed driver with regards to luggage and parcels
• safe lifting and carrying

4. Regulations

• licensing legislation for hackney and private hire drivers in the UK
• obligations of licensed drivers to the local licensing authority
• regulatory authority requirements that operators and drivers need to adhere to in the conduct of their business
• dealing with lost property
• responsibilities of the licensed driver in relating to the transportation of dangerous goods

Each workshop lasts 3 hours and wil take into account busy working times. We recommend the timing to be 10am - 1pm or 2pm -5pm. Evening courses can be arranged if demand is sufficient.

The NVQ assesses competency against National Standards. There are 9 units to achieve. The following 7 are mandatory.

Unit 1: health and safety

Unit 2: drive taxi and phv vehicles safely

Unit 3: customer service

Unit 4: deal with difficult passengers

Unit 5: deal with emergencies and incidents

Unit 6: provide a service for people who require assistance (PATS 1 training certs will count towards this unit)

Unit 7: transport children and young persons

 

2 additional units are selected from a list of 8, some according to job roles, inlcuding: -

• Working with others
• Develop and maintain your work skills and knowledge
• Transport luggage and parcels
• Process Fares

NVQ's assess for consistency of competency. NVQ's cannot be achieved in less than 10 weeks. However, assessments are based around the job roles and assessors will make appointements for assessment.

NVQ's require some evidence collection on behalf of the learner. Candidates will be required to produce certain documents as evidence. These documents will be "normal" documents they complete on a daily/weekly basis such as copies of job sheets/cash sheets, copy of their badge etc.

Experience shows that if people allow 3 hours per week, either being assessed, attending workshops, or collecting evidence, they will easily achieve their qualification within the 10 week time frame.

Cost

The training is funded by LSC Essex and ESF and is therefore being provided at no cost to the companies or the learners.