Taxi drivers complete passenger driving training

17:30 22nd April 2009

Nearly 20 drivers of taxis and private vehicles have finished a special driving course and have emerged with NVQs in Road Passenger Vehicle Driving.

The drivers, all of whom hailed from East Devon, took the course free of charge as part of the government's Train to Gain programme, reports the Sidmouth Herald.

Subjects such as safe driving skills and catering for disabled passengers were covered in the course itself.

Councillor Graham Godbeer, chairman of the licensing and enforcement committee, presented certificates to the drivers at a ceremony held last week at East Devon district council's offices.

Samantha Carlin, operations manager of Skills UK, the company that provided the training, told the paper: "We have been thrilled at the level of take-up at this training. The improvements made by drivers will help to give locals and visitors to the region a first-class experience."

Few drivers in the transport industry currently hold Level 2 qualifications, but the East Devon course already has all its candidates for next year.

In related training news, small and medium-sized enterprises generally lack awareness of available training opportunities, according to Working Links.