VRQ/NVQ
The taxi and private hire vehicle industry is essential to an integrated transport system, but unlike drivers in other forms of passenger transport, taxi and private hire drivers have not had easy access to skills development, or the opportunity of obtaining recognition for the job that they do. However, GoSkills (the Sector Skills Council for Passenger Transport) has, with the support of the taxi industry developed an NVQ Level 2 qualification for taxi and private hire drivers.
On 2nd September 2008 the Leeds Licensing and Regulatory Panel made a decision to require all taxi and private hire drivers, new applicants and existing licence holders to achieve a VRQ/NVQ level of attainment appropriate to the trade.
New applications for licences will be required to attain the qualifications within 12 months of the licence being granted. Existing licence holders will be given until the end of December 2011 to attain the qualifications.
The course is delivered in a flexible way to take into account that taxi and private hire drivers do not earn if they are not driving. Material is provided for self learning and sessions are held at suitable locations, two hours per week for approximately 12 weeks, normally during quiet times to suit the drivers.
The course covers the topics, such as
• Customer care
• Handling emergencies, accidents and incidents
• Disability awareness
• Health and safety
• Legislation
• Dealing with difficult passengers
• Driving effectively and safely
The open days were a huge success, many drivers attended and have already enrolled to begin the training.
For further information about the VRQ/NVQ qualification please contact any of the following training providers who have been working in partnership with Leeds City Council to deliver the full driver training programme. Only the following training providers have been accredited to the Council, certificates from other training providers will not be accepted.
Enterprise Training Solutions Limited (ESTL)
Tel. 01484 609777
Contact: Bev Wadsworth
email: bev@estl.co.uk
Norton Webb
Tel. 0113 2396540
Contact: Joanne Bell
email: training@nortonwebb.com
PDM Training
Tel. 01264 321348
Contact: Katie Fielding
email: katie.fielding@pdmtc.co.uk
TYRO Training
Tel. 01756 692798
Contact: Julie Bollard
Cablecom Training
Tel. 01642 764000
Contact: Donna