The National Register of Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) Instructors (NRI), which is led by the road transport industry and endorsed by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), has launched the first nationally recognised LGV assessor qualification, the aim of which is to acknowledge skillsets and provide new professional development opportunities.
The new qualification, which was rolled out in May 2019, enables successful candidates to join the NRI’s LGV Assessor Register for five years. On qualifying, the successful candidates are issued with an LGV Assessor ID card and are added to the online register on the NRI website.
So far, more than 20 people have joined the NRI LGV Assessor register and the NRI is seeing a continually high level of enquiries regarding the new assessor examination. Carlisle-based SP Training trained Dave Stones of Yodel, resulting in Dave becoming one of the first assessors to be examined and to qualify for their NRI assessor card.
On joining the register, assessors have access to free technical advice, exclusive professional development opportunities and discounts on selected products and services from NRI partner organisations. The qualification also enables assessors to prove to employers that they have been independently examined, have achieved the required skill levels and knowledge, and are committed to upholding high quality LGV driver assessment standards.
“It’s important that there is consistency across assessment and marking. Providing standardisation that is transferrable across the industry will improve efficiency,” said Managing Director for SP Training Tony Higgins. “One of SP Training’s key objectives is to help companies meet consistent safety standards so we welcome the assessor qualification and the benefits it will bring to both individual operators and the industry as a whole.”
An LGV assessor is typically responsible for conducting LGV driver assessments and monitoring driver performance. Assessments can be conducted for numerous reasons, such as following an incident, an extended period of leave or evaluating driver skills prior to offering employment. Assessors cannot conduct driver training or examinations and are often former, or current, LGV drivers on route to becoming an LGV Instructor.
“Before now, there was no formal recognition for the important role of LGV assessor,” said Dave Cox. “Although this is something brand new to the industry, it has already received a warm welcome as businesses want to ensure that those responsible for assessing LGV drivers are independently and professionally qualified.”
Employers can find details of NRI registered Instructors and assessors and more information by visiting www.lgvinstructorregister.com.