AFP sets up national training network to meet rising demand

The Association of Fleet Professionals has set up a new national network of training venues to help meet demand from fleet managers.

The number of people who have taken courses this year at the body’s AFP Academy training arm has increased by 29% and Paul Hollick (pictured), chair, said more locations were needed to cope.

“In the past, we’ve been able to book venues to hold our in-person courses on a fairly informal basis but the increased number of training sessions we are now running across the UK means that finding appropriate facilities has become trickier. 

“A more structured approach is needed and we have identified a number of AFP corporate members around the UK which have the space and are happy to become involved. They will form the core of our new, official network of AFP training venues and provide the capacity that we need to continue to expand in this important area of activity.”

Hollick said that there had been noticeably higher interest in training immediately following the pandemic and that numbers continued to rise.

“When people were sitting at home avoiding Covid, it made sense that they had time to spend on honing and improving their skills. However, even now things have largely returned to normal, they are continuing to look for further training.

“Much of this is due to the fact that working in fleet at this moment in time is especially challenging and fleet managers are looking to become better equipped to handle a whole range of issues, notably electrification.”

Electric vehicle management

He explained that among the most successful courses in 2024 had been a new half-day session on electric vehicle management.

Hollick added: "This very much appears to have hit a sweet spot and interest from fleet managers has been high but we are also seeing high demand for other courses, such as those introduced to help fleet managers, especially women, make their voices heard within their corporate environments, alongside our established four-tier core fleet skills courses.

“To meet rising demand, we’ve also added some excellent new trainers to the AFP Fleet Academy who will be known to many in the sector – Matt Dale, Paul Miers, Matt Neale and Derek Thornton – and will soon be issuing our 2025 training calendar.

"Training places for 2024 are almost booked up, so we’d advise fleet managers who are interested in enhancing their skills to book next year’s courses as soon as possible.”