THE RAC has postponed the second phase of its fleet manager training scholarship programme after just one UK fleet chief completed and returned the formal application form. About 30 fleet managers had expressed interest in the 1999/2000 RAC Scholarship Awards Scheme run in conjunction with the Institute of Car Fleet Management. Of those, 10 who registered in advanced qualified as members of the ICFM at the prerequisite 'Member' level status.

A high-profile interview panel of RAC directors, fleet managers who are ICFM counsel members and leading fleet industry figures was scheduled to determine final selection for the second scholarship course which was due to start shortly. However, only Paul FitzGerald, fleet department manager of JCB, returned the formal application form and, this week, the RAC said a lack of candidates had forced it to 'reluctantly postpone' the second phase of the cheme.

RAC director, fleet and accident services, Penny Hadfield, said: 'With screening to be done on submitted applications, followed by interviews, the RAC had no 'pool' from which to select successful candidates and we reluctantly decided to postpone. We are bitterly disappointed. We can only review the situation in 12 months' time to decide whether to re-start the scheme or to cancel.'