The Road Haulage Association has
launched a training scheme to boost professionalism in the haulage industry and
create career paths for truck drivers.
The scheme is also
aimed at attracting more drivers to address the shortfall affecting the sector.
Rob Devenish, head of
training information at the Road Haulage Association, said the introduction of
the Working Time directive for the transport industry in 2003 will exacerbate
the skills shortages.
Truck drivers must
undertake lengthy training programmes to gain licences that allow them to drive
articulated trucks and large lorries.
Devenish said the
27,000 qualified drivers will be spread even thinner after the regulations,
which prevent them working more than 48 hours in a week, come into force.
The RHA scheme will
include courses in transport law, risk management, management skills and driver
assessment.
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Drivers will also be
trained to use digital tachographs and understand the directive’s rules.
