Local authorities and private hire operators looking to improve taxi driver standards and public safety are now able to access bespoke Taxi and Private Hire Driver Training courses via a dedicated online portal
Already operational with Local Authorities across the West Midlands, the services are now being launched nationwide in response to calls from councils seeking to boost local driver numbers. With taxi driver recruitment levels in some areas of the UK at an all-time low, the accessibility of the training, the in-depth nature of the courses on offer and the value for money given has seen some areas experience a three-fold increase in drivers completing their Knowledge and Driver Standards tests thanks to TTC.
Telford & Wrekin Council, the local authority for TTC Group began working with TTC in 2019 to manage and deliver its driver training and knowledge tests and has seen a three-fold increase in drivers completing their Knowledge and Driving Standards tests since partnering with TTC.
“Working collaboratively with both TTC and our taxi operators has resulted in a threefold increase in driver licence applications through our licencing team. The training and test fees are met by the drivers, and we feel they receive value for money.” Said Councillor Richard Overton, Telford & Wrekin council’s member for enforcement.
With the provision of safe transportation services vital to many communities, ensuring driver licensing meets the necessary standards, and that new drivers can meet the required levels of training is crucial for local councils looking to maintain service provisions. In making these courses available nationwide, TTC is leading the way in developing national standards, rather than the more traditional ad hoc local training that is often utilised.
The tailored courses offered by TTC range from safe driving and best practice courses with in-vehicle assessment and theory training, through to safeguarding and disability awareness courses designed to bring all attendees up to the levels required to meet all Government compliance standards.
The Safeguarding course, which is mandatory for all drivers to undertake, covers the five aspects of safeguarding in an empathetic manner, offering simple workable solutions for the drivers to incorporate into their daily duties.
The Disability Awareness course, which is highly recommended (disability discrimination act, equality act) goes beyond the standard use of WAV’s delving deeper into what disability means and the approach to the topic drivers need to make.
New to the market is the development of a remedial training course, this is designed to fill the void that exists between identifying issues and complaints and the discipline action resulting in suspension or revocation of a licence / badge, it supports enforcement and allows a licencing officer or committee the option of an intermediary, caring and supportive approach to discipline without either appearing ineffective or too draconian to the trade.
Andy Wheeler, Training Director at TTC Group commented:
“Working collaboratively with the licencing teams within local authorities, as well Public Protection over the last two years has allowed us to create a suite of bespoke courses which are tailor made for the Taxi and Private Driver trade. At a time when new driver applications are dropping in some areas, this new resource will enable drivers to access the necessary resources in an easy, and affordable manner.”
