Training needs exposed: 'I need all the help I can get'

DETAILS of the training demands of Britain's fleets were this week sent out to fleet education experts in a bid to raise standards in the industry.

Fleet operators running more than £160 million worth of vehicles have asked for our help through the campaign, with a wide variety of training needs.

While some fleet decision-makers said they wanted to look at the legal practicalities of operating a fleet and how to tackle fleet administration more effectively, another simply said: 'I don't fully understand company car tax, company car versus opted out vehicles, comparing rates between lease companies or comparing built-in safety features of different model.'

One fleet decision-maker in charge of a 200-vehicle fleet said: 'I have no fleet training and need any possible.'

Another simply said: 'I have stumbled into the job and need all the help I can get!'

Among the other requests of fleet decision-makers were for help with day-to-day management improvements, running costs and profitability, acquisitions, disposal times and how to achieve premium price and better knowledge of major fleet issues on the horizon.

Training providers were this week considering the responses from fleet decision-makers and preparing courses that would suit their needs. Fleet News will then provide each fleet that has registered for training with details of courses that are available which meet their needs.

The campaign was launched after we revealed that untrained fleet managers could be costing their employers hundreds of thousands of pounds every year because they do not have the right skills to do their jobs.

The campaign has already received support from throughout the fleet industry, including the Association of Car Fleet Operators, Institute of Car Fleet Management, Institute of Directors and Confederation of British Industry.