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Training for Life

February 2011

February2011_featThe recent challenging road conditions have highlighted the need for employers to ensure that staff who are required to drive are competent to do so in all conditions.

An increasing number of companies are sending employees on specialist courses, not only remind them of the good habits which they may have forgotten since passing their driving tests,  but to teach them invaluable skills beyond those learned as mandatory.
Many companies are also offering workers from countries which have different driving conditions the opportunity to learn how to drive safely on Scottish roads.

Relocation Scotland is the first point of contact from people from around the globe who are relocating here and one of its priorities is to ensure they learn how to drive safely in their new environment.
Mary Smith, the Managing Director of the Aberdeen-based company, said: “We have people arriving from all over the world at Dyce airport and most of them are used to driving on the other side of the road.  They may never have seen a roundabout and have no idea what to do when they approach one, they have no idea what pelican crossings are and they don’t know what zig zags on the road mean.”

As a result Mary now encourages new arrivals to undergo driving training immediately because of the potentially tragic consequences of a road accident.  She also puts all her own staff who drive during the course of their duties through driver training.

“I was prompted to start because I would meet people at the airport where they would hire a car and half of them didn’t realise that in the UK if you don’t ask for an automatic vehicle you don’t get one, you get a stick shift.

“Many of them had never used a clutch before and were unfamiliar with the roads system.”

Mary’s determination was reinforced more than 10 years ago when a client’s employee, who was not used to driving on the left, was killed as a result of a road accident.

“I started to push the idea from the point of view of health and safety with the companies with which we were dealing.”

Mary also linked up with Roadwise, the independent driver training organisation which is 50% owned by the Aberdeen Foyer charity and supports the organisation financially.

“I support what they do and they support what I do in the sense that if I have a client coming to live here they need to be up and running as soon as possible.

“I get their lessons booked more or less straight away so they can feel more confident and be safer driving on an unfamiliar side of the road.

“This is a big health and safety issue and companies need to be aware they are responsible for ensuring that their employees drive properly.

“My staff go through this course once every three years and I am sure it benefits them. It is something I think everyone should do because you get quite lazy when you have been driving for a long time.”

Total Exploration and Production is another company which takes good driving seriously and not only offers staff advanced training but is also helping ensure that senior pupils leave school equipped to drive safely.

Lesley Smith, HR Adviser, Training and Development, explained that when graduates finish their training they are offered a course organised by Roadwise.

“It is a day out which involves several different driving skills including skid training and manoeuvring through cones, driving backwards and with blindfolds to foster teamwork,” she said.

“They also learn how to handle corners and do a mock driving test and mock theory test.

“We offer it as a ‘well done gesture’ for the graduates completing the development programme as well as highlighting the importance of safety.  We recognise they are younger drivers and we do it just before winter to prepare them for the conditions. We received feedback from one of those who took part who said he had got into a skid but because of the training he was much better equipped to handle it.

“It reminds you what you should be doing but it also teaches you quite a number of things which you are not prepared for when you are learning to drive.”

Total Exploration and Production is also involved in helping school pupils learn about the responsibilities of being a driver through its support of the Driving Ambition programme organised by Grampian Police.

The programme is aimed at sixth year pupils and begins with a DVD of a young driver talking candidly about his collision which resulted in lifelong disability.  

Officers then give advice on advanced driving techniques including the causes and avoidance of collisions.

Pupils then take part in workshops including driving test tips, car maintenance and practical demonstrations using the “Seatbelt Convincer” sled, the “Brake Reaction Tester” or the alcohol simulation “Beer goggles.”

Pupils with a full or provisional licence also have the opportunity of a lesson from an instructor.

The day ends with a hard hitting presentation from a member of Grampian Fire & Rescue Service in which graphic images of actual collision scenes and resulting injuries are shown.

Sandra McIntosh, TEP UK’s communication adviser, said: “Driving Ambition is one of many CSR projects that demonstrates TEP UK’s  commitment to  supporting the local community and sharing best practice.  Providing an opportunity for senior pupils to spend time listening and  learning  from the emergency services is crucial to driving home the importance of being a safe, attentive and courteous road user and we are pleased to have been involved.”