How to pass your JAUPT announced quality assurance visit

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So you’ve just received an email providing you with a few date options regarding a JAUPT announced quality assurance visit. As with all audits, unless you’re fully prepared you can put yourself under unnecessary stress, and I hasten to add for no reason. To help you pass your JAUPT announced quality assurance visit, I have put together a few pointers to make the whole process a more pleasurable one.

Background

JAUPT carry out around 300 to 400 announced visits per year. It is important to note that an approved training centre is subject to centre visits from both JAUPT and DVSA/DVA. This means that you could experience two visits in a short period of time from either organisation. I should add that we have had two JAUPT announced visits but not experienced a DVSA visit….as yet.

The purpose of an announced visit is to check whether standards are being maintained and to confirm the centre’s internal processes and procedures as per their Scheme of Control and confirmatory statements, detailed in the centre application form.

An approved training centre is subject to at least one announced visit during the five year

approval period from JAUPT. Your JAUPT announced quality assurance visit will always be conducted within the first twelve months of approval and will be pre-arranged between JAUPT and the centre.

Whether you are a centre that has not begun training yet or a centre that is conducting fifty plus training courses a month, the visit will still be conducted.

1. Responsibilities

The responsibility for quality and safety at an approved training centre lies with the responsible

contact. This is the person operationally responsible for periodic training. Ensure this person is present throughout the visit and is fully up to date with your policies and procedures. I have heard of auditors turning up for an audit and the responsible contact either not there or they just leave the auditor in a room on their own. Aside from this being a irrisponsible strategy, it’s just damm right rude.

2. Prepare

I know this sounds obvious but you should start your preperation from the day you confirm your dates. List out all the individual aspects of your internal systems and tackle each job systematically and methodically. There are two helpful documents published by JAUPT which you should familiarise yourself with.

The first document is the Centre quality assurance self assessment. This is a check list type document which will help you identify areas of continuous improvement and assist you to compartmentalise all the requisite areas needing attention.

The areas covered include:

Quality and delivery of the training
Knowledge transfer
The learning environment
Course content ensuring the course is being delivered in line with the approved
Course layout and identification checks and registration

The second document is the course quality assurance check list. It will assist you with the identification of areas of continuous improvement. Although this second useful document is aimed at course quality, it will help to ensure you have covered everything off. It should also form part of your annual review processes. We’ll come that next.

3. Review

Obviously, reviews are ongoing and should be carried out annually. Part of your audit is to confirm your internal processes and procedures as per your Scheme of Control (SoC). However, if you haven’t already, this is a good time to carry out your review. This will really help you to pass your audit as you don’t want to be caught out with an old, out of date policy or procedure!

Once you have reviewed your SoC make sure you re-version number the document and send it to your case worker at JAUPT for approval.

I have set up three approved training centres in my time so we have a SoC template which may help. You can purchase one here. Remember this is only a template so you will need to adjust to your requirements!

4. Reconcile

You will need to cross reference training dates supplied to JAUPT with training delivered. This is achieved by using the R&E system, your own records and scheduled courses supplied to JAUPT. The quickest and easiest way is to use an excel spread sheet. As we all know however, the R&E system is somewhat antiquated, so trying to get a data download in the form of a spreadsheet from here is simply not possible. Unfortunately, for some reason the R&E team won’t provide training centres with this useful document either. Luckily there is a solution, as you can request the same spreadsheet from JAUPT, just ask your case worker. You will need to justify any anomalies to your auditor, so make sure you make notes regarding any issues.

It’s worth noting auditors like to see a working spreadsheet which also manages uploads dates/upload reference numbers.

5. Paperwork

If you didn’t know you can keep electronic records. So no need to have boxes of registration sheets and feedback forms present. Which ever system you use, just make sure all records are present, are easily accessible and in chronological order.

6. On the day

Start early and arrive at work at least two hours before the auditor arrives. This is twofold as your auditor will most likely arrive early and you need to have time to prepare your records and environment. Use a well lit, clean/tidy separate room where you won’t be disturbed. Make your auditor feel welcome, offer them some refreshments and stay with your auditor throughout. Trust me, this will make the whole process much more comfortable for all parties.

As long as you are well prepared for your JAUPT announced quality assurance visit, you have been methodical and you have covered off the above points, your day will be a relaxed and enjoyable one.

Join the TMconsultant Consortium

TMconsultant is a Driver CPC training consortium and we provide like minded companies and individuals with the opportunity to deliver Driver CPC training but would prefer not to set up a training centre in their own right. For more information please visit our website or just get in touch. Here to share the knowledge!

TMconsultant pass JAUPT announced audit 2018 with flying colours!

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Congratulations are in order as TMconsultant pass JAUPT announced audit 2018 with flying colours!

On 24 April 2018 TMconsultant were audited by JAUPT to ensure we fully comply with legislation relating to the DIRECTIVE 2003/59/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 15 July 2003 on the initial qualification and periodic training of drivers of certain road vehicles for the carriage of goods or passengers, amending Council Regulation (EEC) No 3820/85 and Council Directive 91/439/EEC and repealing Council Directive 76/914/EEC.

The main areas of audit consisted of:

Centre details
Communication
Scheme of Control – how we manage the consortium
Sampling of records

Arrival Time 08:15 Departure Time 13:15

Executive Summary

Overall, a well structured Centre under the control of an experienced and knowledgeable Primary Contact ensuring appropriate training is being delivered to professional drivers. The Centre was seen to have effective controls in place to ensure standards are maintained.

Would you like to join our consortium and become a member? For more information please do get in touch!

New members join the TMconsultant Driver CPC Consortium

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We would like to welcome our new members to the TMconsultant Driver CPC Consortium! Micronclean, Headway Training, Logan Logistics, Ace Trainers, Prospect Training and Recruitment Ltd and Streamline Kent Ltd all joined recently and we would like to take the opportunity to wish our new members every success.

TMconsultant is a Driver CPC consortium providing the opportunity for those who would like to deliver Driver CPC training but would prefer not to set up a training centre in their own right. By becoming a member of our consortium you can teach Periodic Driver CPC training with all the benefits of being a fully registered training centre with JAUPT, operating under the umbrella of TMconsultant.

If you would like any information about joining our consortium please do get in touch, here to share the knowledge!

Great ways to make Driver CPC training more exciting

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As Driver CPC trainers we’re always looking for great ways to make Driver CPC training more exciting for drivers. Not only do we need to ensure our delegates are kept engaged and motivated throughout the session, we trainers also need to be motivated as we’re teaching driver CPC day in day out.

Teaching is an art form. Great trainers hold our attention, make us laugh, help us to fully understand complex subject matter and, most of all, inspire us!

Get off to a good start

Kick off by giving a overview of you and brief history of your achievements. What your experience is and why you love teaching. Tell your your attendees what you are going to learn and how those skills will help them achieve their goals. Break down inhibitions by using an ice breaker. For example, you could ask drivers to break up into groups of two, one delegate will tell the other where they are from, who they work for and an interesting nugget of information the class will find funny. Each will tell the rest of the delegates about the other.

Change the room layout

Training rooms tend to be laid out in the same way, rows of tables and chairs. The easiest way is to just rearrange the room into a more interesting layout each time you deliver training.

Your choice of venue can also have an impact on engagement. A space full of light, colour and texture can prove far more inspiring than a bland, windowless meeting room.

Use props

To make your teaching even more visual, add in some real life props. These could be practical items such as old vehicle units, a model of a vehicle, straps, charts etc….anything that will help liven up the proceedings and help people to remember.

Although the nature of Driver CPC training is serious, it is important to remember that people learn best when they are having fun.

Play games

Which leads us nicely on to……games are a brilliant way for people to learn without even realising it. This could be ‘Generation Game’ style tasks, quizzes, puzzles, crosswords, memory games or ordering tasks – anything that focuses the attention. You can even do it against the clock for extra excitement.

Introducing a quick quiz at the end of each content section, helping recap on what’s been learned. You could offer a small prize for the winner!

Accommodate different learning styles

People learn in different ways. Some of us are visual learners, preferring pictures, videos and diagrams, while others respond to spoken and written word, music, logic and reasoning or even physical activities.

Try to vary your teaching by combining traditional linguistic teaching methods, with audio and visual presentations, written handouts, interactive tasks, and group work. This will provide an inclusive environment for all learning styles and ensure no one gets left behind.

Facilitate Engagement in Training

It’s important to create an emotional connection with the learner. Storytelling is great way to facilitate engagement in training. Case studies are a great way to tell a story and show impact.

Tell stories or use metaphors

Try to make it relatable to everyday life by using real examples and case studies or even creative metaphors or parables.

By associating imagery that is left of field to what you are actually teaching, such as comparing driver to a golf club, I think you can see where I went with that. This way you can more easily embed it in your delegates’ memories.

Keep it short

One of the best ways to keep your audience engaged is not overloading them with information. Go on too long and the brain simply shuts off and people stop listening.

As Driver CPC is taking place over the course of a day, schedule in plenty of short breaks. As well as giving attendees a chance to get up, walk around and take refreshment, you should also facilitate ‘downloading’ of learnings.

Give them time to write and organise notes and assist them by providing pens, pads, sticky notes and highlighters etc.

Provide recognition and reward

Training participants will be more motivated to successfully complete the course if their efforts are recognised and they have something to show for it at the end.

Make attendees know they will receive personalised certificates to mark their participation and perhaps also consider extra incentives such as a competition or small prizes for top students. An element of good-natured competition can keep the attention of those attendees with a competitive streak!

Let them teach you

Break into small groups. Assign each group a section of reading material. Have each team write down the major points on a flip chart and do a team presentation to the rest of the class. This exercise really increases energy!

Conclusion

Great ways to make Driver CPC training more exciting is as much about entertaining your delegates as informing them. Make your training lively, varied, fun and unexpected and your participants will learn quicker and better!

If you would like to know more about teaching Driver CPC please do get in touch. Here to share the knowledge!

Micronclean join the TMconsultant Driver CPC Consortium

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We are very pleased to announce Micronclean Limited have joined the TMconsultant Driver CPC consortium who will be delivering Driver CPC training in-house.

A little about Micronclean…

Micronclean are the Skegness Steam Laundry company established in 1883, shortly after the railhead reached the town. Originally it provided a service to the local landed gentry, the general population and particularly to the hotels and boarding houses which were rapidly being built in the area.

During the 1970s, the Company changed from being generalist suppliers of laundry services to specialist suppliers of clean garments to the food processing and manufacturing industries as well as suppliers of linen to the region’s restaurants and hotels.

The TMconsultant Driver CPC training consortium is a Driver CPC consortium and we provide the opportunity for anyone who would like to deliver Driver CPC training but would prefer not to set a training centre in their own right. By becoming one of our affiliate members you can teach Periodic Driver CPC training with all the benefits of being a fully registered training centre with JAUPT, operating under the umbrella of TMconsultant.

If you would like to know more about our consortium, please contact us for more information or alternatively have a look at our website where you can apply. Here to share the knowledge!

Welcome Micronclean, we very much look forward to working with you!

Updated TMconsultant Driver CPC courses 2017 with a new Driver CPC course addition

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Our updated TMconsultant Driver CPC courses 2017 with a shiny new course addition are here!

Great news! We have just updated our Driver CPC courses 2017 and added a great new course, Conflict Management. We’ve updated all our exiting courses with a couple of new additions including

Extending the Vulnerable Road User section
The addition of a brief overview of transmission and braking systems
New media including the new DVSA films
An updated daily inspection to include checking over new safety equipment if fitted
Updated Health & Safety section including RIDDOR

We’ve also renewed our driver CPC course timings and how we programme to keep the content as exciting and fresh as possible.

New Conflict Management Course

Thanks to JK Transport Training Services for submitting this course for approval, it looks awesome. Here’s the content:

Communication
Human Resonances in conflict situations
Asserting and reducing risks in conflict situations
De-escilcating conflict in emotive situations
Good practice following a conflict situation

This course helps you understand that changing what you do, what you say and how you say it will create changes in another person. You will learn:

How communication can be used to solve problems and reduce the likelihood of conflict
The factors that influence human responses in conflict situations
How to assess and reduce risks in conflict situations
How to communicate effectively and de escalate conflict in emotive situations
Good practice to follow after conflict situations

If you would like to get some first class training in how to deal with conflict and gain 7 hours towards your Driver CPC, then this the course for you!

Please do get in touch if you would like to discus your Driver CPC options, here to share the knowledge!

Are you interested in become a Driver CPC trainer and run your own training centre? We are currently looking for likeminded industry folk to join our growing consortium of Driver CPC trainers. For more information visit here or get in touch.

Revision to the Driver CPC directive have your say

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DVSA’s revision to the Driver CPC directive is here. It’s time to have your say!

The DVSA have released a survey regarding the revision to the Driver CPC directive. Interestingly, they have already provided top line proposals for us to comment on. However, there is an opportunity to air your views and thoughts via email if you wish. This will provided to you at the end of the survey.

Top line proposals to periodic training, are to:

Prevent a repeat of training courses during a periodic training cycle
Include road safety in at least one periodic training session
Allow other elements of training to be included, such as disability awareness, dangerous goods transportation and animal transportation

Nothing too controversial here, yet they haven’t addressed issues concerning Driver CPC trainers and drivers alike specifically regarding timings…..read on.

Here’s my thoughts on the current proposals

Prevent a repeat of training courses during a periodic training cycle – This doesn’t include remedial training but suffice to say this decision is currently easily manageable by between training provider, employee and employer
Include road safety in at least one periodic training session – Of course it’s a good idea but I haven’t met any provider who doesn’t already offer a H&S module/course. Plus I haven’t met any driver who wouldn’t want to have training in H&S
Allow other elements of training to be included, such as disability awareness, dangerous goods transportation and animal transportation – All elements related to transport should be included in the syllabus.

Timings and the 35/7 hour rule

I am surprised to see there is no mention on timings. In my opinion, the 35/7 hour rule, is a major issue and needs to be addressed. The question is, how do we ensure the drivers (and trainers) get the most out of Driver CPC and have taken in and digested the training provided?

Current thinking is to make a driver sit in class room for 7 hours and the trainer use questions, quizes and discussions to satisfy understanding. I have provided Driver CPC to delegates who have already had training in the subject matter previously taught and I can say (from experience) some drivers have only been able to demonstrate little or (in fact) no understanding of said subject matter from the previous session. This is because it is currently perfectly feasible to physically be present in a classroom, yet mentally not.

A driver can be present in the class room for 7 hours and simply choose not to engage. There’s not much a trainer can do about it. Obviously, I’d like to think non of my delegates have fallen into this bracket but I can’t say for sure. Further more, there’s no way to measure how successful Driver CPC is or even if it’s working at all.

The Solution

Have in place a multiple choice test at the end of the course, simple! This does beg the question, would drivers prefer to sit for 7 hours or take a small test at the end? Even if the drivers did opt for the 7 hours (which I doubt), this also flies in the face of current understanding of the learning method.

We take a test at the end of our GCSEs (O levels in my day!), we take a test at the end of our B class driving instruction, we take a test at the end of our Class 1/2, we take a test to become a Transport Manager. Ok you get the point, we take tests to demonstrate we have understood the information being taught.

If the only reason for not testing at the end of Driver CPC is because the perceived notion is drivers won’t like it, then this is not only a huge assumption, it’s patronising and unreasonable relative to current understanding in the learning process.

The other great advantage to having a test in place, it would eradicate rogue training providers finishing early for the day. It just wouldn’t be a problem anymore and thus ensuring drivers will receive the full training they have paid for and deserve.

There are details like, management process, what happens if a driver doesn’t pass etc. However, these are just detail which are easily worked out. In case you’re wondering, I do have the complete solution but for reasons of blog interest and general interest I shall keep this post to the point.

Now is the time to look at how Driver CPC works in more detail and the opportunity to use logic to make DCPC more workable. Have your say in the Driver CPC directive review NOW.

How do I have my say?

Go here to complete the Driver CPC directive survey.

If you need any advice regarding Driver CPC training or would like to become an Driver CPC Affiliate Consortium Member, then just get in touch. We’re here to share the knowledge!

Change to Driver CPC card issuing process

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Change to Driver CPC card issuing process.

Forward post from DVSA

The Driver CPC card will no longer be immediately sent to drivers who complete their periodic training more than 12 months before their deadline.

You’ll get your new Driver CPC card straight away if you complete your training in the 12 months before your deadline. If you complete your training more than a year early

You won’t get your new Driver CPC card until nearer the time your current card expires.

You can check when you’ll get your new card.

If you change address: You must tell DVLA you’ve changed address to make sure that your next card is sent to your new address.

You’ll have to pay £25 if it’s sent to an old address because you haven’t updated your licence.

Brexit what happens with Driver CPC Training now?

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Brexit

Brexit what happens with Driver CPC Training now? Well the short answer is nothing at all, for at least two years!

The referendum was a representation of public opinion and Article 50 (which starts the process of the UK leaving the EU) hasn’t been invoked until the Prime Minster has put it into place. Once Article 50 is invoked however, there’ll be a period of at least two years where there’ll be no change at all. After which, the UK will proceed with negotiations, the terms of the exit and any future trade relationships will be decided. This means that Driver CPC will not change in any way, until at least late 2018.

So far it’s the opinion of leading trade associations and legal specialists that Driver CPC obligations are unlikely to significantly change, because the Directive was transposed into UK law in 2007. Possible changes could include a test at the end of each Periodic Training session (which I personally subscribe to). The UK is also a signatory of The European Agreement Concerning the Work of Crews of Vehicles Engaged in International Road Transport (ATER), which contains driver CPC obligations. The UK is expected to remain a signatory of AETR as a condition of ongoing trade with the EU.

My advice to drivers and operators is to keep up with your Driver CPC training. Not only has Driver CPC training made a massive and positive impact on drivers knowledge and therefore road safety, but because the likely hood of there being any change is minimal.

If you would like to more about Driver CPC training or would like to join the TMconsultant Driver CPC consortium please visit our website or get in touch

View 2007 No. 605 ROAD TRAFFIC The Vehicle Drivers (Certificates of Professional Competence)
Regulations 2007

Driver CPC Training – What’s the point?

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Driver CPC Training – What’s the point?

Driver CPC Training – What’s the point? Is a question I get asked all the time by drivers. Well, there a many great reasons for Driver CPC Training. I’m now into my 7th year of Driver CPC training and running a Driver CPC Consortium and I’m shocked as to how many professional drivers out there have gaps in their basic ‘need to know’ knowledge. And interestingly, I’m constantly asked “Driver CPC training, what’s the point? Aside from the fact that all HGV drivers should know their EU Drivers Hours, Working Time (RTD), Driver walk round checks & Defect reporting/rectification processes and how to use a Tachograph properly, the fact is many still don’t.

So here’s my eleven reason why taking Driver CPC training can only be beneficial for the professional driver.

It will help to improve your understanding of legislation
It’s always beneficial to undertake refresher training
You may learn something new
It’s a chance to air your grievances
It will help clarify any issues or lack of understanding
It can show how you can work with your employer to help improve working conditions
You can discus the subjects in a open environment and argue your points both positive and negative
It’s a great opportunity to ask questions with a professional Driver CPC trainer and discus with other drivers
Armed with the facts, you can drive/work with confidence – no grey areas
It will help improve your working day through having a better understanding of fuel efficiency, nutrition advice, how to deal with stress, customer service, traffic law and Health & Safety
Any training when driving a large, potentially lethal vehicle can only be beneficial for the driver and the public

Obviously this list isn’t exhaustive but they are the main points. If you disagree or would like to add to the list please feel free, just get in touch!

I can’t think of any reasons why not only taking Driver CPC training is necessary but why you, as a professional driver shouldn’t enjoy your day with like minded individuals. Rather than going into the session with a negative attitude, next time think about how beneficial Driver CPC Training can be for you, your employer and the public!

If you have any questions regarding the above, anything to do with Driver CPC Training or becoming a Driver CPC Consortium please do get in touch, we’re here to share the knowledge!