NATIONAL EXPRESS VOLUNTEER DRIVES UP TRAINING STANDARDS IN ZAMBIA
18 January 2016
National Express Driver Trainer, John Crossland, has completed a two-week placement with Transaid’s Professional Driver Training project in Zambia, further strengthening the company’s relationship with the international development charity.
Crossland, who in his role at National Express Start Hill coach depot trains new drivers to earn UK PCV licences, and provides top-up training to existing drivers, was seconded to the Industrial Training Centre – the nation’s main commercial driver training facility.
During the placement, John trained four instructors as part of Transaid’s ‘Training of Trainers’ programme, which aims to reduce the number of road crashes in the country by providing internationally recognised training for local instructors, who subsequently implement and run their own training courses.
John’s work focused on improving the trainers’ driving abilities, demonstrating instructional techniques and championing safe driving practices. He also talked the instructors through a daily vehicle check process. Thanks to a greater emphasis on on-the-road training, rather than classroom-based theory, the instructors gained a wealth of hands-on experience during the course.
James Donnan, Head of Communications at National Express, says: “Safety is one of our core values, and Transaid’s driver training projects give us the perfect opportunity to make a difference and help reduce the number of fatalities on Africa’s roads.
“Our partnership with Transaid allows us to offer our employees the chance to share their hard-earned skills, while also providing an opportunity for the volunteers to enjoy an enriching life experience.
The Professional Driver Training project was launched by Transaid with the aim of reducing death and injury on the roads in the country, and to raise the professional standards of HGV and PSV drivers.
Transaid CEO Gary Forster says: “According to the World Health Organisation, the road fatality rate for Africa is almost three times that of Europe*. Professional volunteers are a core part of the work we do in Africa to try and bring that rate more in line with Europe. National Express has always been a strong partner, and we are grateful to the company for continuing to bolster our life-saving projects in the region.”
Since joining Transaid as a corporate member in 2010, National Express has been heavily involved with the charity’s employee secondment programme – most recently sending a professional volunteer to Uganda in October 2015. In addition to employee placements, National Express has also participated on the Transaid Driver Training Management Board, and raised funds for the charity last year through its Operator of the Year Award.
For more information and to find out how you can support the charity visit www.transaid.org.
*Based on the road traffic fatality rate per 100,000 population by WHO region, Global Status Report on Road Safety 2015, World Health Organisation.
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Note to Editor:
Transaid (www.transaid.org) is an international development organisation that aims to improve people’s quality of life in the developing world by making transport more available and affordable. It was founded by Save the Children and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (UK) and works by sharing skills and knowledge with local people to enable them to put in place and manage efficient transport systems.
Transaid’s core work includes creating transport management systems for the public sector and assisting with the provision of professional driving qualification development and the training of driver trainers. It also assists with teaching preventive vehicle maintenance management and introducing local, low cost transport solutions including its innovative bicycle ambulance. Transaid also helps promote road safety awareness and shares its specialist knowledge with the humanitarian aid sector.
Transaid enjoys strong backing from the transport and logistics industry and the active involvement of its patron, HRH The Princess Royal.
For further press information:
Aggie Krasnolucka-Hickman at Transaid +44 (0)20 7387 8136
Beth Laws or James Keeler at Garnett Keeler +44 (0)20 8647 4467, or by email to beth.laws@garnettkeeler.com or james.keeler@garnettkeeler.com
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