New accreditations focus on bus operations manager and coach manager roles, while DVD to serve as coach driver training aid for dealing with passengers with mental health issues
Kevin Rooney, the Traffic Commissioner for the north east of England, launched two new and professionally-recognised bus and coach industry accreditations at Coach & Bus Live.
The accreditations – Bus Operations Manager and Coach Manager – have been developed by the bus and coach industry through CPT’s Skills & Training Committee, and in partnership with People 1st and the Guild of British Coach Operators. The accreditations are also approved and supported by the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT).
Speaking at Coach & Bus Live, CPT’s Operations Director, Stephen Smith said: “The Traffic Commissioners have been very supportive in the development of these professional standards and, along with the Workshop and Engineering Manager accreditations introduced last year, they show the importance that CPT and the industry places on developing and recognising the professionalism of its managers.
“These accreditations also recognise and reward the outstanding contributions that so many of our managers make every day in delivering a first class service to our customers.
“Candidates passing the assessment will also receive the member status of the CILT and Membership of the Institute of Operations Management (MIOM), along with the CPT accreditation (valid for four years).”
Applicants for the accreditations must first complete an online questionnaire before being put forward for an intensive two-day audit designed to allow candidates to demonstrate that they have extensive knowledge of all aspects of the Operations Manager role.
In addition, Kevin Rooney also launched a new training aid designed to assist coach drivers in their dealings with passengers who have hidden mental health conditions.
The ‘1 in 4 People (coach version)’ titled training DVD has been produced by industry bodies the Confederation of Passenger Transport UK (CPT), the Association of Trainers and the Guild of British Coach Operators in partnership with the Mental Health Action Group and with support from Shearings Holidays, National Express and Skills Coaches of Nottingham.
The DVD and accompanying workbook have been approved as being suitable for a 3.5 hour Driver CPC course as part of a Disability Awareness module, and they will go a long way to helping drivers to feel more confident when assisting passengers who are affected by a hidden mental health condition.
CPT’s Operations Director, Stephen Smith, said: “About a quarter of the population experience some kind of mental health problem in the course of a year and many of these are hidden illnesses which are extremely difficult to spot.
“The coach industry has long recognised the importance of ensuring its drivers undertake disability awareness training as part of the Driver CPC, and this new DVD and accompanying workbook will provide vital support and awareness training for our many thousands of drivers across the country.”
Niki Glazier of the Mental Health Action Group Co-ordinators said: “Our members have been pleased to share their real life experience of coach travel and the difficulties and barriers that they encounter. We very much hope that coach companies will take advantage of this opportunity to understand the needs of so many existing and potential customers.”
