A switch to online delivery for DriveTech’s Driver CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence) training has enabled AA drivers to keep providing vital services to the public during the pandemic.
Training specialist DriveTech moved its DCPC courses online right at the start of lockdown, converting four of its JAUPT-approved DCPC training courses to webinars.
Drivers of recovery vehicles and other LGVs and PCVs must complete ongoing Driver CPC training to maintain their licences, as well as to develop their skills.
The AA quickly saw an opportunity to put 150 of their recovery drivers through essential training at a time when they had the flexibility to do so by using online courses.
The training was not only developed by DriveTech to ensure all workshops were online but also keep them effective; this entailed ways of allowing drivers to share their experiences and learn from others, under guidance from experienced trainers.
The organisation adapted the courses so that the trainer/facilitator would interact with each attendee during the course and strike up conversations. They used smaller class sizes to make this easier for the attendees and set more group exercises – even replicating a gameshow format in the process.
DriveTech also recommended doing one half of the course in the afternoon, and the second half the following morning, so that attendees could avoid screen fatigue and feel fresh.
Its work has also involved ongoing analysis of the courses’ effectiveness, and adapting course content and flow to ensure it replicated as many of the face-to-face delivery benefits as possible.
Commenting on one of the courses, a JAUPT spokesperson said: “Training was delivered remotely with the delivery method used by the trainer including the formal presentation, embedded videos, word search challenge, quizzes, activities, direct questioning, and discussions.
“The trainer spoke with confidence, demonstrating a positive attitude towards the training session, using appropriate humour, and appearing relaxed throughout the remote delivery. The trainer created numerous opportunities for trainee questions.”
The courses, which have ensured that drivers maintained their licences and improved their skills at a time of national crisis, have also been praised by drivers. 100% of responses to DriveTech’s post-course survey said that the course met their needs and the trainer had a Net Promoter Score rating of +87.5 (on a range from -100 to +100, this is classified as a ‘world class’ score in the NPS model).
One of the performance leaders in the team commented: “I found the course content extremely relevant, informative and interesting. The trainer remained polite and professional throughout, keeping control and managing background noises well. I especially liked his approach to keeping each delegate engaged, and rather than the usual death by PowerPoint, it is more of a conversation, drawing from people’s knowledge and experience, reinforced with factual information.”
Dave Bevan, driver competence and behaviour manager, at the AA said: “In these times, driver compliance and development remain crucial. Having seen the DriveTech online courses in action, I was delighted to see that the courses were engaging and interactive even when we aren’t all in the same room. Continuing with JAUPT-compliant training and helping out our colleagues in these circumstances has been a real weight off my mind. The drivers loved it and the extra steps taken by DriveTech have been very much appreciated.”
