Transport qualifications and training

Over a million people work in this industry in the UK, employed by at least 65,000 companies. Investment in transport averages £8 billion a year, and nearly £1 billion of goods is moved on Britain’s roads every day in 420,000 heavy lorries. Britain also has 20,000 coaches and over 55,000 buses, and there are also fleets of vans, taxis, hire cars, cranes and other forms of transport that ply their trade on British roads every day.

Half a million people drive goods vehicles of over 3.5 tonnes in the UK, and it is anticipated that national demand for drivers will be at least 600,000 by 2010. Between 50,000 and 80,000 more drivers will have to be recruited over the next couple of years alone, in addition to those needed to offset natural wastage. There is a similar picture in other areas of transport.

Transport in the Services

Every unit has its Motor Transport Officer, who runs a fleet of vehicles and drivers. Transport units have many more managers and drivers as the total unit holding is split into fleets of all sizes and descriptions.

The Defence School of Transport takes 15,000 students a year from all three Services on 120 different courses, at an annual cost of £28 million. Its programmes emphasise Vocational Qualifications and Modern Apprenticeships, so that every student on a major course leaves with a qualification. The Service Driver Modern Apprenticeship involves a Level 3 NVQ – Performing Road Haulage Operations.

For resettlement a number of firms offer training in transport management and driving, which can be accessed through the Career Transition Partnership. Service drivers who already hold a C or C+E licence may need to convert to civilian standards and practices.

Qualifications and training

There are five main routes into transport management.

1Graduate training entrants join management-training programmes run by employers. Degrees may be in transport and logistics, or in more general qualifications.

2 Postgraduate entry applicants will have an MSc in logistics or supply chainmanagement, or an MBA in an appropriate discipline.

3 Graduates with management experience may look for a career change into transport and logistics, and will need to gain the necessary knowledge.

4Some school leavers (or Service leavers) with A-levels may move into management through on-the-job experience, while also studying for professional exams.

5 Professional qualifications must reflect the needs of the profession and employers. They enable the translation of Service skills into their civilian equivalents.

The Institute of Logistics and Transport offers a number of qualifications at the following levels:

- Foundation

- Certificate

- Diploma

- Advanced Diploma.

Although there are some others, the basic vehicle licence categories are:

- A – motor cycle

- B – motor car

- C – LGV (above 3.5 tonnes)

- C+E – LGV and trailer/LGV with double axles

- D – PCV

- D+E – PCV and trailer.

Large goods vehicles (LGVs)

The starting point for LGV (C) licence is a current clean B licence, and the minimum age is 21. The C+E licence covers LGVs and trailers. Some insurers may insist that people driving certain loads are over 30. Employers and trainers look for ability at reading, writing and maths, and require them to undertake an aptitude test. Everyone has to pass a medical exam, including eyesight and colour blindness tests. Qualifications include Foundation and Advanced Modern Apprenticeships (Level 2 and 3 respectively, for people aged 16 to 24) and the Young LGV Drivers Scheme for those under 19.

Freight transport NVQs/SVQs cover:

- Assisting in Road Haulage and Distribution Operations (Level 1)

- Driving Goods Vehicles (Level 2)

- Transporting Goods by Road (Level 2)

- Organising Road Transport Operations (Level 2)

- Distribution and Warehousing Operations (Level 2)

- Driving Goods Vehicles (Level 3)

- Performing Road Haulage and Distribution Operations (Level 3).

Passenger transport

The starting point for a PCV licence is a current clean B licence, and a course that usually takes about 10 days. The test can be taken at 18 but anyone under 21 is legally limited in the types of work they can do. Adult entry is common, and drivers in the Forces with a D licence, must merely convert to civilian standards and practices. Qualifications include Foundation and Advanced Modern Apprenticeships (Level 2 and 3 respectively, for people aged 16 to 24) and programmes for coach drivers.

Passenger transport NVQs/SVQs include:

- Maintaining Automotive Vehicles (Level 1)

- Road Passenger Transport (Level 2)

- Maintaining Automotive Vehicles (Level 2)

- Road Passenger Transport (Level 3)

- Maintaining Automotive Vehicles (Level 3)

- Driving Instruction (Level 3)

- Management (Levels 3 and 4)

- Operational Management (Level 5)

- Strategic Management (Level 5).

Van driving

A number of people drive vans either full-time or as part of their job. Those driving vans over 3.5 tonnes need a C licence and those driving vans over 7.5 tonnes require a C1 licence. For smaller vans, only a B licence is required. The minimum age for driving ‘light commercial vehicles’ is 18, although some insurers insist on 21. Some employers prefer people aged 25 with experience and a good driving record.

Crane driving

Around 2,500 crane operators are employed in the UK. The only requirement prior to training is that the candidate holds a clean LGV C licence and is of good character. Increasingly, operators will need to hold a Certificate of Training Achievement before being employed.

Fork-lift truck drivers

Working in a warehouse or goods yard, fork-lift truck drivers move heavy loads, usually on pallets, between storage and transport areas. Except in agriculture and horticulture, applicants need only to be 17 to begin training. Large employers or specialist training companies run courses, often accredited by the RTITB Ltd.

Chauffeurs

Driving, maintaining and cleaning high-powered cars for high-powered people, together with a B licence, are the basic requirements for this employment. Chauffeurs are expected to have several years’ driving experience, with a clean record. Membership of the Institute of Advanced Motorists and some knowledge of defensive driving techniques could be advantageous.

Taxi and private hire drivers

There are no formal qualifications to drive a taxi except a full, clean B licence, although some are under development. All cabbies must have good knowledge of their local area and may have to take a test. They are licensed by their local authority or the Public Carriage Office in London, and this special licence can only be held by people over 21 who have passed a medical.

The Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) is a Europe-wide qualification, and every road transport business is required to employ someone who holds it so that it qualifies to hold an Operators Licence. This has two levels:

1national certificate to manage organisations within the UK

2international certificate to manage undertakings across Europe.

The CPC is a Level 3 qualification. There are no formal entry requirements, but individuals taking courses will be expected to have an acceptable standard of literacy and numeracy, and also a reasonable level of industry-specific knowledge.

Dangerous goods

Every company involved in the transportation of dangerous goods must have a Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser (DGSA), who must pass the necessary courses to become qualified in:

- basic dangerous goods transport

- safe transport of dangerous goods in small packages

- completing and checking dangerous goods transport documents

- safe loading of dangerous goods vehicles and containers.

Useful contacts

Institute of Logistics and Transport, Logistics and Transport Centre, PO Box 5787, Corby, Northants NN17 4XQ Tel: 01536 740100 Fax: 01536 740101 Website: www.iolt.org.uk

Logistics Training International (Institute of Logistics and Transport’s training service), Development House, Newton Road, Heather, Leics LE67 2RD Tel: 01530 262666 Fax: 01530 262724 Website: www.logisticstraining.co.uk

Road Haulage and Distribution Training Council (training and careers in freight transport), 14 Warren Yard, Warren Farm Office Village, Stratford Road, Milton Keynes MK12 5NW Tel: 01908 313360 Fax: 01908 313006 Website: www.rhdtc.co.uk

TRANSFED (training and careers in passenger transport), Regency House, 43 High Street, Rickmansworth, Herts WD3 1ET Tel: 01923 896607 Fax: 01923 896881 Website: www.transfed.org

Construction Industry Training Board, Bircham Newton, Kings Lynn, Norfolk PE31 6RH Tel: 01485 577577 Fax: 01485 577793 Website: www.citb.org.uk (National Construction College Tel: 01485 577775 Fax: 01485 577997)

RTITB Ltd, Ercall House, 8 Pearson Road, Central Park, Telford, Shropshire TF2 9TX. Tel: 01952 520200 Fax: 01952 520201 Website: www.rtitb.co.uk

Private Hire, Hackney Carriage and Chauffeur Industry Training Organisation, c/o 14 Widdrington Terrace, North Shields, Tyne & Wear NE29 0BZ Tel/fax: 0191 258 1955 Website: in development