A NEW bid to corner a slice of the fleet driver training market has been launched with an attack on the current lack of standards in the driver training industry. The new service, branded a 'coup d'etat in fleet training' by the new partnership of driver training consultancy Ideas in Action and independent driving instructors' training organisation The Instructor College drew a mixed reaction from rivals.

Some criticised its 'negative' approach to the rest of the industry. It is offering a new range of courses for driving instructors and drivers to provide a standard BTEC level qualification. Customers already signed up for fleet driver training include ASDA and Vodafone.

A list of drivers and examiners passing will be held by BTEC, but the partnership said it was not trying to compete with moves by the Fleet Driver Training Association to launch its own list and approved training scheme. Commercial director of Ideas in Action, Claire Lingard, said the courses showed up the current lack of qualifications available in the fleet industry, but acknowledged there were reputable organisations.