The FTA is aiming to “revolutionise” the status of transport managers through a range of continuous professional development courses that will be recognised across the industry.
James Hookham, MD – membership and policy at the FTA, said the City & Guilds Level 3 qualifications will fill in the “missing piece” when it comes to developing the single largest professional job represented in its membership: CV fleet managers.
At present, once a transport manager has passed their CPC exam, there is no nationally recognised training available to them, Hookham said. “And one of the criticisms of the CPC is that it doesn't really give you the necessary skills you need to run a fleet. You meet the expectations of the EC and the DfT, but whether it really gives you the knowledge and the understanding you need to run a fleet is an issue.”
The FTA hopes the standardised training will enable transport managers’ skills to be recognised with all employers, as well as providing proof of a viable career path for jobseekers that is vital to attract government investment.
Courses will be modular, with operators able to specify the training most relevant for their area of the sector, for example temperature-controlled fleets or urban deliveries. All courses will be registered with awarding body Ofqual.
Those operators already running in-house training for transport managers will be able to work with the FTA to get their courses adapted to achieve City & Guilds requirements if they wish.
“It will revolutionise the way training is designed and delivered, with a lot of savings to be made as it will avoid duplications. I hope it also gives companies the confidence to invest in their transport managers” said Hookham.
City & Guilds approval is expected in Q1, with the first transport managers enrolling by September this year.
