Helping trainers develop their people at our first Talent in Logistics Conference of 2020

On Wednesday 22nd January we were delighted to welcome more than a hundred instructors, trainers, professional training providers and internal training teams working within transport and logistics to our first Talent in Logistics event of the year – the Develop Conference.

The conference, which was newly created for 2020 to help support those responsible for training and developing people in transport and logistics operations, saw a line-up of top industry speakers delivering seminars, panel discussions and even a mock crown court trial.

It was fantastic to see so many training businesses and in-house trainers come together at the event in Manchester to collaborate, share expertise and work together to solve our sector’s unique training challenges.

But don’t just take our word that it was a great event, here’s what some of our delegates had to say:

“This is the first time that I had attended one of your courses and really enjoyed the whole day. There was so much information and guidance on offer to help me along with my career. Well done to all involved.”

 “Thank you for arranging the event and for inviting some very informative speakers. I learnt some valuable information and found it to be very useful.”

“Excellent and informative event. Keep up the excellent work TIL.”

Develop Conference Highlights

This was followed by a presentation looking at Driver CPC: 10 Years On, and a Vocational Training Update, delivered by two experts from the DVSA, Elizabeth Heaton, National Standards and Accreditation Service Manager and Ian Gainford, Assistant Chief Driving Examiner – Policy Manager.

10 years on, there are now 1200 Driver CPC approved centres and 3200 approved courses with 600,000 drivers in scope, 500,000 of which are LGV drivers.  In the past 5 years, 26 million training hours have been uploaded, with 800,000 Driver Qualification Cards (DQCs) issued, 190,000 of which were for the Driver CPC Initial Qualification. 

The session revealed current Driver CPC developments from the DVSA which include working with subject matter experts from TfL, HSE and Highways England to promote and publish approved course content, including materials such as quizzes and DVDs.  A voluntary register for Driver CPC trainers has also been launched in partnership with the National Register of LGV Instructors to recognise skills, support CPD and raise standards.

DVSA also shared some of its up-to-date plans for Driver CPC include a greater focus on safety-related subjects, e-learning options and possible recognition of ADR and other EU mandated training.

“Keep up to date with new information, advice and technology and you’ll be a better, safer driver” was a quote from DVSA’s Chief Driving Examiner Mark Winn shared in the presentation. In line with this, DVSA provided up-to-date information on the future of vocational LGV driver training.

This included details of the driving examiner service (DES) project which is rolling out the use an iPad App to help make the administration of the driving test quicker and easier. This aims to reduce the potential for fraud and speed up the issue of licenses to successful candidates. A number of other changes are proposed to the contents of the various LGV driving tests. Most categories will require far fewer stops and fewer questions to be covered in the practical test.

Logistics apprenticeships, automation and more!

Apprenticeships continue to be a key point for discussion for anyone working in people development in our sector. So, a session with Stuart McDonagh, Internal Quality Assurance at Merlin Supply Chain Solutions asked ‘Apprenticeships: What Does Good Look Like?’.

Stuart focused on the WHAT, WHY and HOW of apprenticeships, from the perspective of the employer, learner, training provider and awarding/funding bodies. He summarised this as “Good looks like what you and the Apprentice need to fulfil all of the requirements, for their role and your program.” He also flagged three hot topics for employers and trainers to be aware of when it comes to delivering apprenticeships: safeguarding requirements, on the job training calculations and employer ESFA accounts (replacing non-levy accounts).

Sally Gilson, Ian Gainford and Stuart McDonagh were then joined by Ryan Robbins, Senior Behavioural Sciences Researcher for TRL for an engaging panel discussion, debating ‘Automation & Technology: What Training Will Instructors Be Delivering in the Future?’.

Alternative fuels were discussed as potentially a bigger short-term change to be aware of than autonomous vehicles, with potentially big infrastructure changes required to adopt these solutions.  With many more systems to learn, and an ageing workforce that does not always find technologies easy, the consensus was that the roll out of autonomous vehicle technologies may still be a way off.  However, some technologies are likely to affect training in the shorter term. For instance, the use of eye tracking technology in hazard perception tests.

 Andy Coram, Head of Risk Management & Head of Change Office at Home Office, then presented a highly topical session focused on how the transport and logistics sector can go about ‘Preventing Clandestine Entrants & Human Trafficking’.

The UK is currently trying to deal with a migrant crisis and constantly implementing new measures at the borders in France in an aim to prevent clandestine entrants.  However, LGV drivers and their employers play a big role in this with security of the vehicle of paramount importance.

For drivers this can be as simple as locking the cab and trailer doors, securing them using a tilt cord, seal or padlocks, checking for signs of tampering and reporting concerns to the police. A new vehicle security advice film has been launched by the Home Office to support drivers.

The professional development opportunities continued during the lunch break with a rare chance to network with, and learn from, other training professionals. A thought-provoking session followed looking at “Engagement: How Do We Overcome Barriers to Learning”, led by Talent in Logistics very own Ruth Edwards and Richard Brewer, Technical Services Manager (LGV), RTITB.  Scenarios were based on real feedback from the sector, covering areas such as poor trainee engagement, lack of management support and funding for training programmes and bad attitudes to training. Look out for our upcoming blog series which reveals how our delegates at the conference recommended tackling each of the different scenarios presented.

Improving logistics and transport safety with training

David Goss, Technical Manager from British Industrial Truck Association (BITA), along with Adam Smith, Chairman of the Accrediting Bodies Association (ABA) then hosted a session to inform attendees about a number of key updates, titled ‘Industrial Trucks: Training Standards & Safety Update’.

This included an update on the ISO 21262 “Industrial trucks: Safety rules for application, operation and maintenance” standard due for publication in September 2020. This will provide guidance for operators and trainers and recommendations regarding training programmes.  Also covered was the ISO 5053 series –Industrial trucks –Vocabulary and how the ABA has input into the international truck classifications and descriptions.

The session continued with information and National Forklift Safety Day 2020, which will be focused on the segregation of pedestrians from MHE as 43% of forklift RIDDOR reports are impacts with a person. Improving this could cover from training and PPE through to using different equipment and changing layout or infrastructure. Visit the BITA website to find out more.

The Develop Conference culminated with a unique mock crown court hearing led by Woodfines Solicitors, providing a sobering insight into the aftermath of workplace transport accidents; confirming exactly why the correct training is so important for those at all levels in logistics and transport.

In the session, the delegates at the conference acted as members of the jury to hear the tragic case of Mr John Smith, a forklift truck driver who was involved in a fatal accident at work at the company’s distribution centre following a collision with a lorry.  The case focused on allegations of alcohol misuse, a failure by the company to heed relevant warnings and improper and insufficient risk assessments.  Having heard from the prosecution and the defence, the Develop Conference jury ultimately found the defendant guilty!

Talent in Logistics Engage Conference

Although the Develop Conference is over for another year, we have plenty of resources to help logistics and transport trainers develop their people on our website here.

What’s more, it’s just a few months until our next event! The Talent in Logistics Engage Conference turns the spotlight onto engaging with employees to increase productivity, as well as ways to reduce staff turnover and improve absence and safety incident rates. 

The Engage Conference takes place on 21st April 2020 at the Cranfield Management Development Centre in Bedford.  Don’t miss out! Book tickets now or find out more.

Or if you have any questions about our 2020 Talent in Logistics Event Calendar, don’t hesitate to get in touch!