The Association of Trainers

Funding for the Periodic Training element of the Driver CPC

Introduction

This short briefing note sets out the current position in England with effect from September 2008.

What public funding is available for Periodic Training?

The agency that funds training in England is the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). The LSC rulings specifically exclude funding for mandatory industry training. This means that Periodic Training does not qualify for any public funding.

Some training providers are advertising courses that are funded. How can this be the case if Periodic Training does not qualify for funding?

Operators should be wary of Periodic Training courses that are advertised as being fully funded. Periodic Training is excluded from public funding.

Providers may be delivering Periodic Training within a broader NVQ programme. In this instance, the funding is attached to the achievement of the NVQ. Operators and drivers will need to commit to the larger NVQ programme in order to access the funding.

What should operators take into consideration when committing to broader NVQ training programmes?

Many bus and coach operators already offer the PCV Driving NVQ to their drivers as it provides a broad programme of learning that helps to raise skills levels as well as providing critical knowledge and understanding. The NVQ is widely recognised by industry and supports drivers in developing the skills valued by operators e.g. driving skills, customer service, disability awareness etc. Many drivers qualify for funded NVQ programmes of training.

Although the NVQ provides benefits for both operators and drivers, it does not provide an alternative to the requirements of the Driver CPC. To count as Periodic Training, courses must be approved by the Joint Approvals Unit for Periodic Training. Operators should ensure that the funded programme that they are being offered does include approved training. Not all programmes leading to the NVQ will have been approved by JAUPT. Operators can check the courses and training providers that have been approved by JAUPT by visiting the JAUPT website - http://www.drivercpc-periodictraining.org/.

The NVQ is a broad qualification. There are many different ways in which Periodic Training courses could be combined with the NVQ training. This means that the content and length of approved Periodic Training courses that are being delivered under the NVQ umbrella can vary quite dramatically. Operators are advised to ask GoSkills/CPT July 2008 the provider to clarify how many hours of approved Periodic Training are being delivered via the NVQ programme and to seek written confirmation that the training has been approved by the JAUPT.

Operators should also note: the NVQ programme will require drivers to commit to significant assessment, training and record keeping over and above the requirements of the approved Periodic Training course.

The other key question for operators to ask the provider relates to the eligibility of drivers to attract funding. Not all drivers will be eligible for funding. Operators may find that they have some drivers who do not quality for funding (for example, they may have already achieved the NVQ) and therefore training costs will be incurred.

Operators should also note that the NVQ programme will need to be completed within an agreed period of time – usually one year.

Summary of questions that operators should ask prior to agreeing to courses that are funded

• Periodic Training doesn’t attract funding in its own right, so what is being funded? Is it the completion of an NVQ?
• What part of the training programme has been approved by the Joint Approvals Unit for Periodic Training?
• How many hours of approved training will the course deliver?
• How will the training provider manage the delivery of both Periodic Training and the NVQ?
• What do the drivers need to do in addition to the Periodic Training course?
• Will all of the drivers attract public funding? What arrangements need to be made for the drivers who do not attract public funding?

Where I can get further information?

For further information on Periodic Training options or on the PCV Driving NVQ, contact your GoSkills Business Adviser.