Yorkshire taxi drivers steer their skills in the right direction

Yorkshire taxi drivers prepare
to improve their skills

More than 30 taxi drivers from across the region have recently embarked on a ten-week training programme at the Yorkshire Rail Academy which aims to help them develop their skills and enhance their careers.

The taxi drivers will all work towards the nationally recognised Level 2 Certificate in Road Passenger Transport and an NVQ Level 2 in Road Passenger Vehicle Driving. The training is delivered in partnership with the Yorkshire Rail Academy, Gap Training and York College and is supported by funding from the LSC through the Train to Gain service, the cornerstone of which is a skills brokerage which includes free impartial advice and help in finding the best training to meet business needs and improve skills.

The pilot courses are aimed at improving the skills of the passenger transport trade and the training covers a variety of topics including; disability awareness, equal opportunities, health and safety, taxi and private hire regulations and current legislation.

John Lacy, City of York Council licensing manager, said: "The City of York Council is always looking to improve the taxi services available in York. There is a great willingness by the trade to improve standards and attending this course is a fine example of the taxi trade wishing to raise their image and professionalism."

Anne Ingham, manager at the Yorkshire Rail Academy, said: "The taxi drivers are keen to learn and improve their skills and they recognise the benefits that this course can bring to the taxi business, local community and importantly tourism. Chances are if you board a taxi in York in the future you may meet one of our successful candidates! We are delighted with the uptake of places on this first set of courses, and it is anticipated that more will follow. None of this would have been possible without the support of the LSC."

David Hodges, regional director of skills for the LSC in Yorkshire and the Humber, said: "Train to Gain is the vital link between employers and the training that is available to make their employees more effective at work. We all need more skills than ever before. Two out of three jobs in the future will require a higher level of skills and better qualifications and in less than ten years there will probably be very few unskilled jobs. Both individuals and employers need to prioritise getting themselves and their workforce better skilled and help is at hand to access training for employees, such as the national Train to Gain service."

For more information about Train to Gain click here.