• Elf and safety
• Masterlease Pre-Budget Report comment
• GETTING ‘BACK TO BACKS’
• MASTERLEASE MEETS M&S CHALLENGE
• DRIVING THE DRIVER

• Vocational training for van drivers

• EVERYBODY OR NOBODY’S DARLING?
• WINTER BLUNDERLAND CAUSED BY FREAKY FEBRUARY
• Workplace Parking Levy- what would Robin Hood say?
• BACK to Basics

Vocational training for van drivers

Earlier today, Road Safety Minister Jim Fitzpatrick announced ambitious Government plans to dramatically cut the number of UK road deaths by a third by 2020. As part of this plans are now underway to introduce a new vocational qualification for van drivers to help them to enhance the skills they need to drive for work.

The Department for Transport will work in partnership with a yet to be decided awarding body and the Sector Skills Councils to develop the optional qualification. 

Eddie Parker, head of commercial vehicles at Masterlease welcomed the announcement saying: “This proposal from the Department for Transport will actively enhance professionalism amongst van drivers. Any measure that can encourages improvements in road safety, courtesy and fuel economy are to be welcomed.

“Interestingly the announcement comes on the back of last month’s story that the Government will cut subsidies towards SAFED, the programme to train van drivers in safe and economical driving techniques.  The obvious next question would be how or if the Government will support this new vocational training qualification?

“We will certainly be keen to examine this proposal and potentially recommend it to our clients. The image of white van man has been somewhat tarnished by certain sectors of the press and this new announcement will go some way towards significantly improving the image of van and light commercial vehicle drivers by providing them with access to vocational qualifications.

ENDS