Taxi Driver Online

EDI qualifications herald new era of professionalism in taxi and private hire industry


A new era of improved professionalism and better customer service in the private hire industry is being heralded by EDI, which today reported that over 8,000 learners have, in the past four months, registered for its Level 2 NVQ in Road Passenger Vehicle Driving (RPVD).

Currently employing some 255,000 people across the UK, the taxi and private hire industry has increased by 25% over the past decade with a similar rise forecast for the next ten years. New regulations and licensing arrangements requiring higher levels of driver competence have led to a demand for recognised national standards of competency for all drivers. As a result, qualifications from vocational specialists such as EDI are proving more and more popular by the day. Government Train to Gain funding for self-employed drivers without a Level 2 NVQ has also played a significant role in helping to professionalise the industry.

Several local authorities including Bournemouth Borough Council and Warrington Borough Council are actively encouraging drivers in their region to improve their skills and gain a nationally recognised qualification. Designed to help candidates understand the issues involved in providing a professional transport service to the public, EDI’s Level 2 RPVD NVQ equips learners with a range of skills covering health and safety, vehicle safety, dealing with emergencies while in transit, dealing effectively with difficult passengers and providing for passengers who require assistance.

Keith Evans, Licensing Officer (Public Protection) at Bournemouth Borough Council, commented, "Public safety is high on the Council’s agenda, so we have made it mandatory for all taxi drivers in our area to study for this qualification. As well as creating a great example of best practice in customer care, the qualification is viewed by the taxi trade as a great way to improve the profile of the profession."

David Boyer, Head of Sustainable Transport at Warrington Borough Council, commented, "We hope to see all drivers in our area achieving NVQ qualifications to raise the standards of service for users of licensed cars. There are many benefits for drivers in the Warrington area who hold this qualification, including a free three year driver’s badge, which normally costs £75.00."

Gareth Phillips, Director of Business Development at EDI, commented: "Take-up for this qualification has exceeded expectations. Recognising this work with a qualification will give drivers accredited skills in communication and problem-solving and ultimately improve standards on the job."

No prior qualifications are required for this NVQ, although drivers must have achieved the appropriate driving licence for the vehicle they will be using. Where training for the appropriate licence is given by the employer, a minimum of six months on-the-job driving experience is necessary before drivers can fulfil the requirements of the qualification.

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Think of how stupid the average person is, and realize half of them are stupider than that.
George Carlin

Another benefit for drivers. Why aren't other councils following such a lead?

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IDFIMH

wot our badges cost £75 for one year !!


Our local college recently sent an advert out to local taxi firms asking for applicants to be come NVQ assessors they have apparently been overwhelmed by the number of applicants ! Not surprising when you have too many taxis it does suggest that our council is thinking of going along the NVQ lines

as to the effectiveness of the training i am doubtful I suspect that most would attend the course but would revert back to their old tricks once they have the "qualification"

Only, I suspect, because your local trade have allowed it get that high without a ruck.

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IDFIMH

its going to cost Millions for more bits of paper....for all these wonderous qualifications a man or woman that was an uncaring Ass*hole before will still be an uncaring Ass*hole after the qualification and nice people will still be nice people. Quasi qualifications that are easily obtained and almost impossible to fail are worthless, the only real gainers are the people that make money from promoting, training and testing the new qualifications...Lifes hard enough to earn a crust from these days without more obstructions being laid in our path and at the end of the day their will still be the same number of Taxi and PH drivers giving out a service verly little different to that we offer now.

Seems overated in my opinion..

Man maketh the qualification but the qualification does not maketh the man.

The local private hire association's have recently been complaining to the council that their driver recruitment has dropped by 20 per cent since the NVQ has become compulsory

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Justice for the 96. It has only taken 27 years...........repeat the same lies for 27 years and the truth sounds strange to people!

Hardly a surprise...if you want folk to do these thing then the potential earnings need to reflect the extra effort and that means dearer fares...and should the numbers of available drivers go down then the level of service does to, that may be great for the remaining few but its gonna be a real bummer on the very people its meant to help...The Customers.

I don't think it has anything to do with the potentia earnings tbh. I think perhaps those 20% weren't really that interested in the trade and just saw it as a quick fix for now type job. These are the very people you don't want in the trade anyway

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

When i first joined the trade twenty years ago i t was only going to be temp between jobs but i liked it and decided to stay personally i think all these extra nonsnse courses may have put me off becoming a Taxi driver
hence it could be why there is a shortage of new drivers now

I don't think it's quite a shortage now is it

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Note to self: Just because it pops into my head does NOT mean it should come out of my mouth!!

Yep down ere theres a chronic shortage cos of our idiot council binging in btec nvq or wot the feck its called this week

Its time some of you guys moved into the 21st century, any qualifications is a bonus to the industry, I think you will find in a few years time all your local authorities, National Health ect will be insisting that your drivers must have these qualifications in order to even tender for their contracts.

As for the 20% shortage in drivers you will probably find quite a few are the older generation leaving the trade rather than doing the NVQ.

Leeds have made it compulsory, all existing licence holders including Hackney or private hire must pass the NVQ/Btec by 2011.

New licence applications have 12 months to acheive the award.

I have done the NVQ & B-tec, most is common sense, it's not rocket science, stop worrying about it and get on with it, you will look back after you have completed the course and wonder what you were moaning about.

And its time some of you guys realised we are in the midst of a recession, the NVQs are not needed now nor in the future, people were far more courteous and helpful years ago before such pap. for all of todays emphasis on education and ten a penny qualifications that mean squat, things are not improving for any of it. far more useful would be a simple 2 hours of drivers assessment by your local authority where their guidance and input could pinpoint driver issues, thats all thats needed not a multi million pound Btec/NVQ which in a couple of years will be consigned to history like O-levels and Tufty club certificates...

Why is it some folk always take a sledgehammer to crack a nut...

I bet the existing drivers are gutted about such a loss to the bosses.

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IDFIMH

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IDFIMH