CPD Are you prepared?

2008: a golden opportunity for ADIs

The New Year traditionally brings fresh opportunities for change, and with CPD the buzzphrase for 2008 there’s never been a better opportunity for a resolution for personal and professional development. In subsequent editions of Instructor we will be keeping ADIs up to speed with all the CPD developments you need to know about. This month we begin with an overview on CPD from DIA Training Manager Steve Garrod, followed by a DSA report on two important meetings for the future of CPD and the formation of a dedicated Working Group

ver the coming months we will all be swamped with what we are expected to do with regard to Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Most of it will focus on the obvious elements of driving and instruction, attending accredited courses and gaining further qualifications. However, if CPD is to be effective we do need clear guidelines to follow that ensure we are not wasting our time, money and efforts collecting meaningless certificates.

To expand by more than a third, you have to consider where all these additional tests are coming from. There are certainly not that many 17-year-olds; the number has been relatively stable for the last decade. In the quest to identify these reasons, some possibilities have been discounted, for example changes in the population demographic such as urban sprawl or rural migration.

Interpretation

CPD, in relation to a driving instructor, means Continuing Professional Development, which is any activity that is undertaken for the purposes of continually improving your subject knowledge or development of your teaching skills or business practices.

Effective CPD

Effective CPD is about what is best for you, which does not always mean going to the expense of gaining further qualifications. Instructors, who reflect on their professional practice as a whole, will be able to identify their strengths and weaknesses and develop an ongoing personal development plan based on their identified needs.
Taking ownership of your career and identifying areas for development, (often with business practices) means that you will be better equipped to:
Recognise new opportunities within the driver training industry

• Provide a better service to your clients
• Help, influence and lead others by your example
• Increase your employability
• Enjoy a fulfilling career

All development need not be formal. For example, attending a local ADI meeting, association or road safety conferences and seminars can often provide information that will be of value. In addition, a lot can be learnt by sitting in on driving tests, whether they are learners, ADI part 2/3 or a fleet exams. Having attended many association meetings through out the UK last year, it is clear to me that many instructors feel they have to continually take driving tests or become fleet registered. Passing a test proves only that you performed well on the day; it does not take into account what you had to learn in order to pass the test. It is what you have learnt during the training for the test that is important, not the result itself. Therefore, this is the Continuing Professional Development.

The three ‘whats?’
There is a simple formula to follow:
What? (was learnt)
So what?(What effect will this have on your teaching/business?)
Now what? (further identified training needs)
Keeping a record of your achievement in a portfolio will help you to map out your CPD.

Identifying further development

How can we sufficiently analyse our performance to identify our own areas for development? We can start by looking at how other industries have embraced CPD. It is for this reason that a suite of National Occupational Standards (NOS) was developed that clearly describes the skills, knowledge and understanding required to undertake a particular task or job to a nationally recognised level of competence

Using National Occupational Standards (NOS)

NOS are the foundation for National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ). Used wisely, they will provide a recognised policy and procedure for your business. How many ADIs have a procedure for a pupil taken ill during a lesson or dealing with difficult customers? Gaining an NVQ is the most cost effective way of working towards CPD. The structure of an NVQ includes a series of units which are broken down into specific elements. Most units are evidence based and many do not require further training, but working towards a NVQ identifies areas of strengths and weaknesses, therefore, subsequent training becomes cost effective and of value, and looks at the business as a whole.
If we take a look outside of the profession, in particular the road passenger transport industry, we find that many of the units can be used to match the requirements of driving instructors. It is worth mentioning that ADIs who go out of business do so usually not because they are bad instructors, but because of their inability to run a successful business. The road passenger transport NVQ concentrates on the importance of: health and safety; defensive driving and vehicle maintenance; communication with passengers; developing professional relationships with customers; customer service; handling money; dealing with complaints; understanding how to reduce your own risk to health and safety and processing telephone bookings. All of these elements are contained in the DSA CPD competency framework for ADIs; they will also enhance your professional status, and place you in a good position to offer such training in the future.

Vocational Licences

Another area to explore is training for vocational licences, especially minibus (D1) and towing (B+E). Drivers who have held their category B driving licence since 1997 are not permitted to drive minibuses with more than nine seats (including driver), drive lorries over 3.5 tonnes or tow a combined weight of more than 750kg. This leaves many drivers of youth groups and voluntary organisations requiring either to undertake a driving assessment or a separate test. ADIs are eligible to teach theses categories, providing they have the correct licence entitlement. However, for credibility, it is also expected that ADIs pass a test in that class of vehicle.

Assessors

If you hold a PCV or LGV licence, have you considered training to be an assessor? With the event of Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) there will be opportunities to guide professional drivers through their requirements. We would also like to hear from you if you already hold the D34/A1 award.

The future looks bright

The old adage, ‘if you always do what you’ve always done, you will always get what you’ve always had’ has never been more relevant. CPD offers all ADIs the opportunity to branch out and develop new skills. We will keep you up to date with our new CPD programme that ensures DIA members receive cost effective training that work towards nationally recognised qualifications.

CPD workshop, meeting and working group –
DSA report

Workshop 15 October

A constructive, upbeat and successful workshop, hosted by DSA, facilitated by Patricia Graham of Frontline Consultants and attended by ADI representative groups and other key stakeholders, was held on Monday 15 October in Nottingham.
The focus of this workshop was on the subject of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for driver trainers and how this would be taken forward.

Aims

• To gain a shared understanding of the issues surrounding the implementation of mandatory CPD for driver trainers
• To identify an agreed route to mandatory CPD
• To identify a CPD working group, made up of subject matter experts to work with DSA on the detailed proposal that will be required to take forward and implement a mandatory CPD scheme. This research and development will inform proposals in a wider consultation in due course.

Presentations

Rosemary Thew (DSA Chief Executive) gave a presentation based on the ‘root and branch’ review of driver training and testing and how it was planned to take this forward.
This was followed by a presentation from Trevor Wedge (DSA Chief Driving Examiner and Director of Safer Driving) providing background and options for the way forward.
Over recent years Department for Transport has commissioned independent research on how driving instructors are trained and tested: Ross Silcock (Review of how driving instructors are trained and tested). More recently DSA commissioned research into CPD which included:

• Red Scientific (CPD content),
• 5S Consulting (CPD framework)
• Researchers for Education (DSA’s role in CPD).

DSA has also held a series of meetings and workshops with the ADI representative groups and other stakeholders to gauge ideas and options. In July 2007 the ADI representative groups met to discuss their views on the way forward for CPD. The consensus at the meeting was that there was a wish to see mandatory CPD as soon as practicable.
Margaret Jessop (Lifelong Learning UK) gave a very informative talk on the subject of Developing Professional Status: New standards and qualifications for Teachers in the Lifelong Learning Sector.
Patricia Graham looked at the potential benefits of a modular approach to professional development, after which the workshop had two breakout sessions.

Proposed route to mandatory CPD

Trevor than set out a strategy based on a three phase approach:
(1) Communication strategy for an interim incentivised voluntary CPD scheme (Spring 08)
(2) Structured Voluntary scheme
(3) Full professional mandatory programme

Phase 1 will see the launch of an interim CPD scheme whereby those ADIs who commit to undertake a minimum of one day’s CPD per year will have their efforts recognised by an acknowledgement of their commitment, linked to their contact details on the DSA website. At the same time we intend to actively encourage others who recognise the considerable benefits that CPD offers. Information will be available shortly on this website for those wishing to find out more about what CPD can do for them and how to take part.
As part of the interim scheme DSA will start to promote the benefits to those seeking driver training services of identifying those trainers who have made a commitment and are actively engaging in maintaining and developing their professional skills.

More information on the proposals and how ADIs can join the interim scheme will be published over the coming months on this website and in Despatch.
Phase 2 will take the shape of a more structured voluntary scheme, following wider consultation, in order to test systems and processes before the final phase that will see the introduction of a mandatory scheme. The input from delegates throughout the day helped to ensure that progress was made, with a consensus for CPD. This has to be based on a clear communication strategy clearly setting out the benefits of continuing professional development.

Outputs

It was agreed that those attending the meeting would be invited to form the steering group which would take the decisions on how CPD should be implemented. Those present were invited to nominate members for consideration to form a small working group made up of experts from within the industry and DSA staff. This group will be responsible for taking forward the work required to develop the mandatory CPD scheme. An outline process has previously been agreed and is available via this website. The group will look to build on this work and prepare a document for wider consultation. The date of their first meeting is 28th November 2007. Attendees confirmed their willingness to support DSA’s proposals for a three phase route to mandatory CPD. It is hoped that the successful outcomes from the workshop will herald a more constructive working relationship between DSA and all those who represent driver trainers. The day closed with a question and answer and general feedback session which highlighted positive outcomes from the day for all involved. In her closing remarks Rosemary thanked everyone for their attendance and valued contribution.

Attendees

Meeting 28 November Moving forward together

Proposed route to mandatory CPD, as agreed at the meeting

Phase 1 for Spring 2008, sees task leaders working together to encourage recognition of personal CPD achievements through our website. ADIs who commit to undertake the minimum of one day’s CPD per year and reconfirm their commitment to the Code of Practice will have their details highlighted on a new ‘Find my nearest instructor’ search function. You may have seen in recent issues of Despatch, case studies of ADIs who are benefitting from their CPD experiences.
Just a reminder, CPD is:

• Conscious updating of professional knowledge and improvement of professional competence throughout a person’s working life
• Commitment to being professional, keeping up to date and continually seeking to improve.
• Owned by the individual, driven by own learning and development needs

CPD working Group

• Case studies compilation - Nick Ibbot (ADINJC)
• Communications plan - John Lepine (MSA), Patricia Graham (Frontline Consultants)
• Frequently asked questions - Aenaes McRitchie (DISC)
• 'Find your nearest instructor' DSA website - Stuart Lister (DSA)
• Driver trainer process for CPD notification
- Stuart Lister (DSA)
• Accreditation/quality mark of CPD courses/deliverers - Elizabeth Hall (LLUK), Steve Garrod (DIA)
• Quality Assurance - Rick Wood (ROSPA), Simon Elstow (IAM)
• Notifying, evidencing, monitoring and recording of CPD - Jean Marriot (DIDU), Stuart Lister (DSA)
• Review of current training provision and qualification (industry specific) - Hugh Grainger-Allan (DSA), John Sheridan (DSA)
• Public funding availability - Paul Fleming (GoSkills)
• Cost to the individual - Robin Cummins, British School of Motoring (BSM)
• Review of Code of Practice - John Lepine, Motor Schools Association (MSA)