Solihull-based transport services company LandFlight has spent three days training 60 drivers from Hollywood Travel for their Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC).
LandFlight has previously trained 36 of its own drivers but this is the first time the company has used its CPC accreditation to train drivers outside of the company.
Every five years, bus and truck drivers must undertake 35 hours of training to ensure they meet the stringent EU legislation to legally drive any Class C or Class D vehicles on the road.
LandFlight received its CPC training centre accreditation in December 2015, having met the rigorous audits, assessments and staff training to do so.
Trevor Baker, general manager at LandFlight, said: “This training is not only vital to the jobs of drivers across the country but also to the safety of our roads and those on them.
“Both trainers and the centre have undergone the comprehensive testing to meet the high-level of standards needed to run the CPC course and we’re thrilled to be able to bring this imperative training in-house, both for ourselves and to offer other local companies.
“While CPC training is available at various independent centres, having CPC accreditation at our own site really enhances our in-house service and expertise, as our trainers have first-hand and current knowledge of how a site works and the everyday tasks drivers undertake.”
The initial CPC qualification, which is mandatory for all new Class C and Class D drivers, consists of four parts - a theory and hazard awareness test of 100 multiple-choice questions, case studies on which drivers must answer questions, a practical driving test and a ‘show me, tell me’ section, during which drivers must demonstrate their vehicle maintenance knowledge.
Cheryl Godfrey, transport manager at Hollywood Travel, based in Solihull, said: “In any industry it is important to share expertise and knowledge to further enhance competence across the sector, but in transport is it vital all drivers are up to code.
“Like LandFlight, we take the safety of our passengers and drivers very seriously and to have CPC training easily accessible through LandFlight enables companies such as ours to train large numbers of staff conveniently.
“Over the course of just three days each of our drivers undertook the first seven-hour phase of CPC training and we couldn’t have been happier with LandFlight’s delivery, they really did exceed our expectations.”
For more information on LandFlight’s coach, minibus and chauffeur service, along with their training services, please visit www.landflight.co.uk/ or call 0121 705 5555.
For more information, visit www.hollywoodtravel.co.uk/.