Pickfords first in line for Driver CPC training from Mainstream as new EU Directive comes into force
Pickfords, the UK’s largest and best-known removal company was first out of the blocks to undertake a new qualification for professional lorry drivers, the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (DriverCPC).
The Driving Standards Agency implemented EU Directive 2003/59, which requires all professional bus, coach and lorry drivers to hold a DriverCPC in addition to their driving licence and it came into force across the European Union on 10th September 2009.
The main aim behind DriverCPC is to improve road safety, and ensure we have better qualified drivers to help reduce road casualties. It is aimed at not only improving the knowledge and skills of professional drivers but also ensuring those skills are maintained and developed during the driver’s career.
Pickfords, working with Mainstream, the UK’s largest driver training organisation has been planning its approach to driver training for some time. The company’s eagerness to adopt DriverCPC training was reflected by a late night and early start as company trainers David Sanderson and David Hurdiss were the first to receive training themselves at one minute past midnight on the 10th September 2009 at Mainstream’s offices in Sittingbourne, Kent.
Managing Director Kevin Pickford said, “we firmly believe that the DriverCPC qualification will improve the safety of drivers and other road users, as well as ensuring we drive with more fuel efficiency to limit our impact on the environment”
David Sanderson, Pickfords’ Training Manager says, “Our drivers will be required to undertake 35 hours of periodic training every 5 years. DriverCPC will become a key component of our training programme for new drivers as well as our experienced drivers and we expect to roll out the programme from September 2009”
The training session was finished at 8am with a well-earned breakfast for all delegates and the presentation of a certificate with a bottle of Mainstream Champagne to celebrate the training session, which was presented by John Casey MD Mainstream.