DRIVER CPC ENCORE PERSONNEL
T
he Driver CPC qualification
was first introduced in 2009
for professional truck, bus
and coach drivers, with the
aim of improving road
safety and maintaining high standards
of driving. It states 35 hours of
periodic training must be completed
every five years.
Drivers with acquired rights – those
with vocational licences pre-September
2009 – have a deadline of September 9,
2019 to complete the next phase of
their training.
At Encore Personnel, we place high-
quality drivers in work across multiple
industries. Yet we have also found 75 per
cent of our drivers still need to complete
their DCPC training before September –
and many of those are still unaware of
how many hours they have completed.This may be for several reasons.
Firstly, a number of drivers had relied
on previous employers to organise
training and, after leaving their place of
work, this was not continued. Secondly,
with Brexit on the horizon, some drivers
have felt the European requirement
would no longer imply, so have simply
chosen not to spend the money on
sufficient training.
However, these excuses will just not
cut it. If they do not complete the
training, come October, it will be illegal
for them to continue working as a driver.
They could face a fine of £1000, or worse
still lose their job.
As a result, businesses will suffer, with
a significantly reduced workforce.
To combat this problem, Encore offers
free training to drivers under its
Approved Driver Scheme, and to datehas invested £14,000 in ensuring 250 of
its drivers complete their 35 hours of
DCPC training.
The £400 cost to complete 35 hours of
training can be a hindrance to some. So
by offering free training, Encore is
helping drivers and businesses benefit,
without being out of pocket. Through
this support, our clients will see better
worker retention and a high level of
quality drivers through their doors.
However, as the evidence would
suggest, the lack of drivers completing
their DCPC training is an industry-wide
problem, so it is not only our drivers
who need support. We also provide
training for the drivers of our clients
across the Midlands, including workers
at a national supermarket chain; giving
drivers easy access to training in a
professional environment.
But as the deadline looms, the number
of people looking for training is
increasing – and it will soon become a
case of first come, first served as we
can’t facilitate everyone.
Moving forward, businesses can
support their own drivers by advising
them how to complete the qualification,
and they can work with expert agencies
like Encore Personnel to gain advice and
support where needed.
However, it is ultimately the driver’s
responsibility to ensure they are taking
every action required. It is important
drivers make a note of the deadline and
take every opportunity to find training
near them. They can also find out how
many hours they have completed by
visiting: http://www.gov.uk/check-your-driver-
cpc-periodic-training-hours ■26 TRUCKING Summer 2019 http://www.truckingmag.co.ukGET DCPC
READY NOW
The deadline to complete training for the Driver
Certificate of Professional Competence (DCPC) is
less than three months away, yet reports have
highlighted 75 per cent of drivers still need to
complete their mandatory training. Encore Personnel
is warning drivers to check how many hours they have
completed now – before it’s too lateBy Andrew Fletcher, Encore Personnel
PHOTOGRAPHY ENCORE