Fleet management training might require investment on the part of your company, but experts suggest a trained professional could cut the cost of running vehicles by 15 per cent.

Managing vehicles requires understanding of complex factors, including legislation on health and safety, taxation as well as best practice on running costs.

Many end up taking on responsibility for managing a company fleet as a small part of their role, while for others it is a full-time job for which they also have a support team.

According to James Langley, director and deputy chairman of the Institute of Car Fleet Management, there is a danger that if a new fleet manager without training continues as their untrained predecessor did, it could lead to a continuation of poor practices.

Writing in Managing Your Company Cars, edited by Colin Tourick, Langley said: “In the smaller operations, where a ‘laissez–faire’ style is the order of the day and structure, order and control has less attached significance, this ‘following Harry’ is likely to be the approach.

‘It’s little wonder that any ‘in-house’ training, such as it is, is probably going to be formatted on the basis of what used to be called ‘Sitting by Nellie’ with the inevitable result that all of Nellie’s mistakes and misjudgements are perpetuated and the incoming manager or administrator delivers nothing new whatever to the host business.'

Various organisations offer fleet management training and below we list some of the courses available.

Jaama

Programmes aimed at administrators and managers who have the responsibility, but not necessarily the experience, of running a fleet. In addition, they provide a refresher for fleet professionals who require an update on legislation, best practice and developments in managing a fleet of vehicles.

Content as well as gathering an array of practical information, delegates take away documents they can adapt to meet their own individual fleet requirements, including fleet policies, driver handbooks and risk management templates and guidance management templates and guidance. Duration one day.

ICFM

Programmes aimed at new or relatively recent entrants to the industry right through to experienced fleet practitioners. Duration depending on course selection, online training right through to two and three-day residential courses are available, as well as flexible and fast-track options.

Content ICFM offers a range of courses starting with its Introductory Certificate in Car Fleet Management through to a diploma-level programme. Course content is dependent on level chosen, but can include job-based assignments or projects designed to cover specific areas of competence and their application to the participant’s car fleet management.

BVRLA

Programmes aimed at sales and business development executives at leasing companies who want to better understand the role of the fleet manager. Duration course is divided into three modules: introduction, intermediate and advanced, with the introduction and intermediate modules lasting a day each and the advanced module two days.
 
Content the course, which has been developed with the ICFM, consists of three modules and written assessments. It is externally accredited by the Institute of Leadership and Management. The BVRLA also offers a range of courses aimed at the leasing industry.

Fleet Audits

Programmes aimed at new or relatively recent entrants to the industry right through to the more senior fleet manager. Duration depending on selection, there are two, four and 10-day residential courses available. The four and 10-day courses separated into two-day sessions with several weeks between each one.

Content courses are run at three levels, while there are also environmental and other specialist courses available. Basic fleet management gives an introduction to fleet management, intermediate fleet management strengthens the skills and knowledge of existing fleet managers and advanced fleet management focuses on major strategy areas.

Author: Simon Harris