We are advising operators to start planning now for the new CPC legislation, to be introduced later this year, if they haven’t already done so.

This new qualification for professional bus, coach and lorry drivers - the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) - will come into force across all European Union member states on 10 September 2008 for bus and coach drivers, and 10 September 2009 for lorry drivers. All drivers will be required to undertake the “Driver CPC courses”. This will involve 35hrs worth of periodic training every five years.

We are certain that action now will save organisations a whole lot of confusion and bother. The market prediction is that too many people will leave it too late and the number of drivers who need training will exceed the number of courses and trainers available. To date, just over 100 organisations are registered to teach the qualification, so it seems highly probable that demand will outstrip supply.

Having been granted accreditation as an Approved Driver CPC Centre, with several courses accredited for delivery, Novadata is now in a strong position to offer training that fully meets the EU Directive. Novadata will be one of the few training companies qualified to offer a ‘one stop’ facility to get front-line operational staff CPC Licenced.

Anticipating rising demand, we have already started providing our clients with a timetable tailored to suit their training needs. Managing Director, Derek Broomfield has begun individually accessing all Novadata’s clients to ensure adequate arrangements are put in place from day one to satisfy each company’s requirement.

We are advising operators to have measures in place from the outset to satisfy their training requirements. A little preparation will save on a great deal of anxiety later. This legislation really doesn’t have to be onerous and good operators with training arrangements already in place will have nothing to fear.