Training, Qualifications & Competence. Why the Confusion?
Introduction
Numerous items of legislation, guidance and best practice stipulate that drivers of specialist transport vehicles should be both trained, competent, and in some cases qualified. These words are often used interchangeably, but they mean very different things.
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Definitions
Training is the systematic process of imparting knowledge. It is a structured, and planned, with the aim of enhancing understanding. Training must always be up to date, any outdated information offered as training or guidance is irrelevant. Classroom courses & webinars may have some limited use in driver training, but these, on their own are not a recognised demonstration of competence. Qualifications are formally defined as:
‘Recognition awarded to individuals upon successful completion of a program of study, proven by passing an assessment or test that meets specific criteria set by an accrediting body or institution’.
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What This Means
Training and qualifications are related concepts, but they are not the same thing.
Training refers to the process of acquiring knowledge through instruction, and can take various forms, including classroom courses and webinars. Training may be recorded & indeed certificated but that does not make it a recognised qualification.
Qualifications, on the other hand, refer to a formal recognition or credentials awarded to individuals upon successful completion of a program of learning, which culminates in an assessment or test that meets specific criteria set by an accrediting body. Qualifications typically certify that the holder has achieved a certain level of knowledge, skills, and competencies in a particular subject or field.
Competent refers to an individual's demonstrated ability to apply their knowledge, skills, and behaviours effectively in real work situations. It means that a driver not only understands the theoretical aspects of their role but can also execute the tasks proficiently, safely, and consistently under practical conditions. Competence is validated through assessments that test performance and decision-making in actual or simulated work environments, proving the individual's capability to meet industry standards.
Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (DCPC)
In the UK the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (DCPC) is a mandatory requirement for drivers who drive commercially. On successful completion drivers are issued a card incorrectly labelled a Driver Qualification Card (DQC). However, the DQC is not a qualification, it is a record of training. So why do people think that the DQC is a qualification? This confusion is caused by a lack of understanding of the difference between ‘trained’, ‘qualified’, and ‘competent’.
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While training is valid, it does not result in a qualification upon completion. Qualifications require more comprehensive assessment and validation processes, beyond just turning up and attending a course.
?So, whilst Driver CPC training, is a compliance issue for professional drivers, it is not actually a qualification. Driver CPC can be used as evidence that a driver is ‘trained’, but it does not prove that a driver is ‘qualified’, nor ‘competent.
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The Solution?
What is needed is a qualification that tests knowledge, skills, behaviours & attitudes in real work situation. You don’t get a driving licence just by completing the theory. You need to demonstrate to an examiner that you are competent. This is why EMPI Awards have developed the Site Vehicle Competence Assessment (SVCA) which is supported by the SURE training suite. The SVCA is a regulated vocational qualification (VQ), gained by completing a practical assessment. It is a repeatable assessment of knowledge & skills applied to the job role in real time, in real work environments.
?The SVCA has received recognition from various organisations and regulatory bodies within the transport and logistics sector, including DVSA, CLOCS & SQA Accreditation, and is a demonstrable proof that your divers are not just 'trained' but also ‘qualified’ and ‘competent’.
Click this link to see a comparison of the DCPC & SVCA:
Conclusion
So why the confusion? Driver CPC is a mandated compliance issue relating to training. But it won’t make a driver qualified, nor does it mean a driver is competent. Again, why can’t the industry have an open and transparent dialogue about this?
Putting on a webinar, issuing a card and sending an invoice is easy. Driving innovation through qualification development to provide real world competence solutions is much, much harder. But it is still the right thing to do, and is still the only way to satisfy the legal requirements.
To find out more about the EMPI Awards SVCA and how it can help you demonstrate competence, contact our delivery partner Logico.
01325 952887