September 29, 2008

WHEN one hears the terms education, training and development, one may often think of workers in a company setting and the technical knowledge and skills that will lead to increased competence, productivity and competiveness.

However, no matter the business area, training has been proven to contribute to positive results such as good work safety practices, better customer service, reduced wastage, increased morale and satisfaction which can lead to better work attitudes and greater appreciation by the employee for his/her job.

GRADUATES of the first PSV Operators Training Programme: Errol Nicholls (left) and Lincoln Kinch.

The Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Council is again partnering with the Barbados Community College (BCC), the Ministry of Transport and Works (MTW) and the Association of Public Service Vehicle Operators to offer the Public Service Vehicle Operators’ Training Programme.

The programme, which is being fully funded through the TVET Council’s Employment and Training Fund (ETF), is free to all PSV owners, drivers and conductors. Training commences at the BCC on October 5, 2008, with an opening ceremony starting at 9:30 a.m., and continues every Sunday until October 26, 2008, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Training facilitators will be drawn from the BCC, the Licensing Authority and the National Transport Authority. Topics will include Legal Requirements For PSV Operators, Defensive Driving, Delivering Quality Customer Service, Understanding The Traffic Laws, and Understanding Business Basics.

Registration for the programme takes place at the BCC’s Industry Services Unit (ISU), Building #3, Harbour Industrial Park, Bridgetown; BCC’s Student Affairs Office, ‘Eyrie’, Howells Cross Road, St Michael; the Parcel Post Section of the Government Post Office, Cheapside, Bridgetown; and Morris Lee, Association of Private Transport Operators, telephone 438-7177 or 425-4441.

The PSV Operators’ Training Programme was first conducted in 2001. The ISU’s director, Jacqueline Austin, said that over 150 operators PSV operators undertook the training at that time. She acknowledged that the feedback from the public on routes where operators underwent training was good but that the changed behaviour was not sustained over the long term.

“In order for that to happen there needs to be a conducive environment,” she noted.

Ms Austin said the training programme is intended to help impress upon PSV operators the importance of their role to the public transport sector. She added that the content of the training programme was designed by the BCC in collaboration with the Route Taxi and Minibus Associations, based on the needs of their members.

“We chose Sundays to do the training so as to reduce the negative impact on working hours and a loss of income,” she said.

Some of the graduates of the 2001 PSV Operators Training Programme praised its introduction and revealed some of the benefits that they received.

Keith Smith, a PSV owner/operator for 18 years, said: “The course was enlightening.

Keith Smith, a PSV owner/operator for 18 years said "The course was enlightening. We got to share our experiences and also to hear from a tutor what the system was like in the United Kingdom and how some of those things could be a benefit here. I also found the material on the legal requirements for PSV operators helpful.”

Even though a driving instructor for nearly 25 years, Smith said he also appreciated the sessions with the driving instructor.

Lincoln Kinch, a PSV driver for over 40 years, said that he attended both PSV Operators Training Programmes that had been so far conducted. “They were both good. They took us out on the road; we learned things such as how many blind sides a vehicle has and how to notice things off in the distance.” He added: “All the guys should go to the training and then maybe we would see if we could get a little more discipline.”

Errol Nicholls, a PSV owner/operator for nearly 30 years, noted that he would like to see participants go and put into practice what they were taught in training. “Then we would really see a difference on the road, by exercising what we learn,” he stressed, adding; “it will take everybody playing their part … PSV operators, the owners, the police, and the passengers.”

Rene Charles, a PSV driver for more than 40 years, said that he attended the training programme twice and appreciated all that he learned: “We learned about driving on wet roads, handling blind corners, and generally, improving our driving skills.”

BCC Tutor and organiser of the PSV Operators Training Programme: Orlie Carter

Orlie Carter, BCC tutor and one of the organisers of the training programme, said that so far registration was going smoothly with over 30 applicants registered. He noted that the programme’s eight modules would be taught through lectures and discussion at the BCC.