Driver CPC 'may prove challenging for small firms'

Date: 16/5/2012

The introduction of the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) qualification could be challenging for small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

This is according to Head of Training for Driver and Fleet Solutions at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents Rick Wood, who discussed the new European Union directive.

All professional bus, lorry and coach drivers will need Driver CPC and those who are new to the profession will have to take special qualification tests.

Alternatively, individuals who have been in this line of work for five years or more will have 'acquired rights', meaning they are considered competent enough to have Driver CPC.

However, Mr Wood claimed this could cause problems for SMEs because some will be unable to afford the cost of training.

This will mean they might use agencies to acquire workers or use those who are self-employed to pass the costs on.

"There is also a strong possibility that trained drivers will be poached from best practice operators, increasing their costs," he continued.

Posted by Mary Treen