The Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP) is reporting an increase in the amount of training being delivered through its Fleet Academy, with the number of training days sold in 2023 already surpassing last year’s total.

Paul Hollick (pictured), chair at the AFP, said that the increase reflected several trends including higher interest in formal training among fleet industry professionals and a general post-pandemic move across the workforce to enhance levels of qualification.

He explained: “During 2021 and 2022, we saw a definite increase in fleet managers looking to upskill to meet current and future fleet challenges such as electrification, so we increased our potential capacity for places this year by 85% - a decision which has been vindicated by a dramatic increase in training days and also delegates, which is very pleasing to see.

“Additionally, we decided at the end of last year to freeze our training fees, given the pressure currently being placed on personal and business finances, which has also turned out to be very much the right choice. Good training should be attainable, in our opinion.”

Last year, the AFP delivered 161 training days in total and this year, it has already sold 190, meaning it could be close to 300 by the end of 2023.

“It just shows how much interest exists across the fleet industry in this kind of upskilling,” added Hollick.

The AFP Fleet Academy, although an evolution of training delivered by the Institute of Car Fleet Management (ICFM), remains a relatively new endeavour and awareness of the courses it provides is increasing all the time.

“Given the progress made by the Fleet Academy since its launch in 2021, it seems to us that there is potentially a huge amount of untapped interest in training across the fleet sector that will be realised as more people learn about the services we deliver,” said Hollick. 

“Also, satisfaction is high, with our courses scoring 4.9 out of 5.0 when measured on the likelihood of recommending the course, and trainer knowledge and guidance.’

Through the remainder of 2023, courses provided by the AFP Fleet Academy – many of which are accredited by the Institute of the Motor Industry – include Fleet Vehicle Management Strategic, recommended for those with responsibility for managing a vehicle fleet, with a new in-person cohort starting on September 26.

The course is also available in an online, distance learning format, which can be started at any time. 

The recently-launched Accelerate – Women’s Voices in Fleet course, designed to help women in fleet make their voices heard in a corporate environment, will run again on October 10 and 11, while the next Fleet Vehicle Management Advanced course, aimed at those in senior roles who are leading teams that manage a vehicle fleet, will start in 2024.

The Fleet Vehicle Management Introductory course, designed for anyone who is new to the fleet industry, developing in their role, or who needs a refresher in fleet basics, can be progressed any time online.

Finally, two electric vehicle courses, Making The Switch to Electric Vehicles and Transition to eLCV, are run on demand and can be held face-to-face or online.

More details about all of AFP’s courses and available dates, as well as information about tailored training, can be found at www.theafp.co.uk.

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