Taxi Driver Online

Taxi drivers could be forced to take BTEC to 'improve quality of service'



CHRISTCHURCH council could ask taxi drivers to complete BTEC and NVQ qualifications in a bid to 'improve the level of service'.

A report to the licensing committee which meets today asks members to decide if they want to introduce new measures and go out to consultation with the taxi trade on the proposals.

They will also discuss whether to introduce a safeguarding module for drivers to complete.

It comes after Bournemouth council asked their drivers to complete BTEC and NVQ courses, which led to a concern that drivers were moving to Christchurch to work.

The report said: "It was also felt that such qualifications may improve the general level of service offered to the public by taxi drivers."

Across the different council areas there are variances on the requirements for taxi drivers.

Bournemouth and Poole run safeguarding courses, Christchurch and East Dorset require English spoken tests for hackney carriage drivers and some authorities do knowledge tests on the area and aspects of the law.

The courses at Bournemouth are run by Bournemouth and Poole College and cost around £800 per driver.

Some of this is paid for via a government contribution, but this may not be available after 2017.

Previously, when the policies were reviewed, the idea of qualifications were "vehemently opposed" by the Taxi Liaison Forum, the report to members says.

And council officers have warned about the possibility of even stronger opposition in the light of the lack of government funding.

Councillors on the licensing committee will also be asked to look at a new safeguarding policy following the independent inquiry into child sexual abuse in Rotherham.

Officers have considered an e-learning course and seminars, but "have reservations" they could be too in depth and irrelevant.

"There is also concern that applicants would not complete the on-line course themselves, but instead enlist help from others."

The practicality issue is also raised, with officers suggesting questions to be included as part of the council's Knowledge test.

source: http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/d ... vice__39_/

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

Taxi drivers won’t be forced to take BTEC after all because courses ‘cost too much’


THE high cost of courses to improve the level of service from taxi drivers in Christchurch has led to councillors rejecting the idea.

At a meeting of the licensing committee on Monday, members discussed plans to ask drivers to complete BTEC and NVQ qualifications in a bid to raise the quality of service for passengers.

They also discussed whether to introduce a safeguarding module for drivers to complete.

However, members felt the fees involved in the BTEC and NVQ courses were too high.

The discussion came after Bournemouth council asked their drivers to complete BTEC and NVQ courses, which led to a concern that drivers were moving to Christchurch to work.

Officers warned that there could be strong opposition to the measure, especially with a lack of government funding.

Councillor Bernie Davis, portfolio holder for safe and healthy communities, said: “Members requested that officers investigate the feasibility of introducing BTEC and NVQ qualifications for hackney carriage and private hire drivers (taxi drivers).

"We were aware that other nearby local authorities required taxi drivers to complete such courses and that this may have resulted in a displacement of applications to Christchurch. It was also felt that such qualifications may improve the general level of service offered to the public.

"At the licensing committee meeting, members decided that the fees presented made it unreasonable to make the qualifications a requirement.

"However, we have requested further investigation into other providers to ensure best value.

"Members did agree to introduce a new safeguarding module, following high profile national case reviews relating to taxi drivers and the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults."

The safeguarding module follows the independent inquiry into child sexual abuse in Rotherham.

A report to the committee said officers had considered an e-learning course and seminars, but had "reservations" they could be too in depth and irrelevant.

source: http://www.bournemouthecho.co.uk/news/d ... o_much___/

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

Yeah OK then.