In a recent LinkedIn post, the promotion of a 'Site Safety Awareness and Behaviour Course' for drivers of Tippers, Truckmixers, and other HGVs caught my attention. While the course promises essential knowledge and awards an MP Connect card upon completion, it's crucial to clarify some misconceptions about such offerings in the transport and haulage industry.
The Reality Behind CPD and Attendance-Only Courses
Firstly, courses like these are often touted as opportunities for Continuous Professional Development (CPD) and enhancing safety awareness. However, they fall short in one critical aspect: competence assessment. Attendance and gaining CPD hours do not equate to proven competence in operating heavy vehicles safely and effectively.
The Pitfall of Attendance-Only DCPC Courses
Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (DCPC) courses, frequently mandatory for professional drivers, are primarily attendance-based. They serve to fulfil legal requirements rather than rigorously assessing practical skills or measuring competence in real-world scenarios. Simply put, attending these courses does not validate a driver's ability to perform their duties competently under varying conditions.
Differentiating with the EMPI Awards SVCA (On-Road)
In stark contrast, the EMPI Awards SVCA (On-Road) qualification stands out as a regulated, competency-based assessment tailored for drivers of tipper trucks, among others. Unlike attendance-only courses, SVCA (On-Road) involves rigorous testing and periodic re-assessment of both knowledge and practical skills. It provides a genuine measure of competence, ensuring that drivers not only understand safety protocols but can effectively apply them in their daily operations.
Moving Forward: Emphasis on Competence Over Compliance
It's time for the transport and haulage industry to shift its focus from mere compliance with DCPC requirements to prioritising competence assessment. The misleading notion that attending courses or accumulating CPD hours suffices as evidence of skill must be addressed. Drivers deserve qualifications that truly reflect their capabilities and ensure safer operations across the industry.
The MP Connect Confusion
The MP Connect Card is a digital record of learning and continuous professional development. It serves as an online database where various forms of training, site inductions, and qualifications are recorded for an individual.
While the card lists courses and qualifications completed by the holder, it’s important to note that it does not indicate a person's competence in a specific role or skill. Instead, it tracks attendance and completion of courses or inductions, rather than any formal assessment of knowledge or practical ability. In other words, it is a record of participation, not a certification of competence.
In MPQC's own words, the card is a "record of learning and CPD" and not a regulated qualification or proof that the individual is qualified or competent in their role.
Conclusion
Let's dispel the myth that attending courses without assessment equates to qualification. Instead, let's champion robust, regulated qualifications like the EMPI Awards SVCA (On-Road) that genuinely assess and certifies competence. By advocating for standards that measure practical skills alongside theoretical knowledge, we can elevate safety standards and professional excellence in the transport sector.
Join the conversation and share your thoughts on how we can promote genuine competence assessment in driver training.
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