The Road Transport Industry Training Board (RTITB) is encouraging employers to rethink their approach to Driver CPC Periodic Training to help achieve their business objectives.

As Driver CPC Training is a legal requirement, some employers treat it simply as a tick box exercise - something that their drivers must do. However, according to RTITB, the largest Master Driver CPC Consortium in the UK, it can be so much more than that. Drivers must complete 35 hours of training during a five-year cycle, but with proper planning employers can use this to their business advantage, while also improving safety and professional driving standards.

Here are three examples of how CPC Periodic Training can assist employers in meeting specific business objectives.

Increasing fuel efficiency

Many businesses are tasked with increasing fuel efficiency and decreasing fuel costs. Although the choice of vehicle is key in increasing fuel efficiency, driver behaviour also plays a big part. By using the hours allocated to Driver CPC to deliver a Safe and Fuel-Efficient Driving course, drivers can not only benefit from the continued professional development that Driver CPC offers, but also learn the specific skills to be more fuel efficient.

After implementing this training, one RTITB Driver CPC Consortium member was able to meet their fuel efficiency goals, increasing their average MPG from one depot by 0.9 MPG. The company is set to extend this to 2.5 MPG in the near future, which will deliver around £60,000 savings.

Improved roadside safety

Maintaining safety is often a core business objective for logistics and haulage businesses. However, the time taken to deliver comprehensive first-aid training to a large workforce can be challenging for employers in terms of both money and time.

To overcome this while meeting a company-wide health and safety initiative, one RTITB Driver CPC Consortium member implemented an existing JAUPT approved roadside incident management training course. This covers the essential knowledge needed by drivers to reduce roadside risk and has been incorporated into Driver CPC training hours to ensure all drivers are trained by the end of the year.

Reduced damage

Reducing product wastage and damage is an important objective for many businesses looking to control costs. Including a Load Safety module within Driver CPC training can help to meet this objective by educating drivers on correctly handling loads, and providing an understanding of how to appropriately secure different load types. Manual Handling training can also be included in Driver CPC to help reduce wastage and damage. Contrary to popular belief, this training can cover more than just preventing personal injury. In fact, correct manual handling can reduce product damage, therefore minimising associated costs.

By selecting the right Driver CPC training modules, vehicles and equipment can also benefit from less damage. A safe and economic driving module helps to prevent accidents and undue vehicle wear and tear, while a general Health and Safety module can cover the skills and techniques that save businesses thousands of pounds in vehicle and site damage.

Employers that join the RTITB Master Driver CPC Consortium have access to the extensive library of Driver CPC training modules, which can be chosen to suit an employer’s business objectives. RTITB can also create bespoke course content to meet the specific needs of businesses and drivers and incorporate the company values alongside RTITB’s high standards.

To help achieve maximum driver engagement, RTITB’s innovative Driver CPC Periodic Training modules can be delivered through quizzes, case studies, workshops, games and discussions, all in manageable 35-minute topics.

Visit www.rtitb.co.uk/cpc-17.

Photo: Some employers treat Driver CPC Training simply as a tick box exercise.