The importance of road safety was driven home to apprentices yesterday by leading logistics training provider System Training. 

The firm, who deliver Apprenticeships in Logistics and Driving HGV Vehicles, hosted an event for 30 young apprentices in Carlisle featuring practical demonstrations from police, fire and rescue and motorsport stars as part of national Road Safety Week. 

The training provider’s Driver CPC courses, which are delivered to some of the industry’s major players, already incorporate tuition on driving techniques that help to increase road safety and fuel efficiency and help cut down on HGV-related road traffic accidents. 

System Training has worked closely with Cumbria Constabulary’s Collision Investigation Unit and Fire and Rescue over the past few years on training initiatives to help the emergency services better understand safety issues regarding HGVs and LGVs. 

Issues such as drink and drug driving, speeding, vehicle roadworthiness and blind spots associated with large goods vehicles were in the spotlight in order to support the campaign to raise awareness of safe driving by national road safety charity Brake.

Police from Cumbria Constabulary who attended to talk to the apprentices offered a timely reminder of the dangers on the road as they were almost called away from the event to attend a serious crash on the M6.  In the end they were able to stay on and offer the group advice on a wide range of road safety issues, as well as giving them a closer look at the safety features on a police car and motorcycle. 

A Cumbria Fire and Rescue team gave a practical demonstration of their skills by demonstrating how they cut trapped occupants from a crashed car, while World Rally Championship co-driver Scott Martin talked the youngsters through the safety features on a rally car provided by Cockermouth-based M-Sport. 

The event will support the training they have received from System Training and ensure that when the apprentices go into employment they will be best placed to provide advice that can help address the issues that cause road traffic accidents.

System Training Operations Director Tony Higgins said:“At System Training we are striving, through our range of Apprenticeship programmes, to equip our young people with the skills they need to secure employment and to deliver a high quality of training which ultimately provides an added benefit to their employers.  With our road safety event we have achieved just that and I believe our motor vehicle apprentices may now be some of the most knowledgeable out there.  The information they have covered today will help them pass on a benefit to their customers and help improve road safety in the region.”

System Training Apprentice Scott Horn said:“We’ve learned a lot today, from how we should all be driving safer to how cars should be well maintained to prevent accidents; and that information will be really useful when we start working.  This course is a great way for me to learn new skills while still getting paid – that’s very important for students these days.”

Cumbria Constabulary Police Constable Mike Lazonby said:“It was great to be involved with System Training and their apprentice students.  As well as investigating the cause of accidents, it’s very important for us to also try and prevent them, and that’s what today was all about.  They were a really good audience and we got our message across well; if we can prevent just one accident then it will have been a success.”

Crew Manager Frank Davidson from Cumbria Fire and Rescue said: “The apprentice group really are the perfect target audience for our road awareness training as they fall into the 17-25 year-old bracket that are more likely to be involved in a collision.  Our presentation, backed up by the practical demonstration, was very well received and I’m sure they have all taken away some positives from today.”

A link-up between one of the UK’s leading training providers has reaped dividends for one of the UK largest independently-owned logistics companies.

Carlisle-based System Training was drafted in by TM Logistics to help roll-out an updated training package to its team of 250 drivers across the UK and also develop an internal driver instruction programme. 

TM Logistics handles multi-million pound contracts for some of the world’s biggest brands, and with new Driver CPC legislation having become mandatory in September 2009 meaning that in addition to a driving licence, lorry and bus & coach drivers who drive professionally must now hold a Certificate of Professional Competence that is renewable every five years, the logistics firm wanted to make sure its workforce was not just compliant with the new rules but was trained to the highest-possible standard in order to offer its customers a superior service. 

System Training used its experience of working with other major players in the logistics industry to help TM Logistics recruit and train its own Driver Training Instructors (DTI’s), who after gaining their NVQ Level 2 Driving Goods Vehicle and A1 Assessors course would go on to train the TM Logistics driver pool. 

System Training also assisted TM Logistics with accessing funding to enable the firm to support the delivery of NVQ Level 2 in Driving Goods Vehicle to hundreds of its drivers, as well helping a number of warehouse and fork-lift truck operators to gain their NVQ Level 2 Plant Operations certificate. 

Since the project was delivered System Training, which is part of the Logistics Academy North West, has continued to provide ongoing mentoring and support to TM Logistics’ DTI’s in order to ensure they are fully up to date with the latest techniques and materials. 

As well as benefitting from the up-skilling of its workforce and the efficiencies that has created, TM Logistics is seeking to use its collaboration with System Training to enable it to deliver its own fully-accredited Driver CPC and NVQ courses to clients in the future. 

Graeme Barrett of TM Logistics said:

“From the outset TM Logistics struck a value add business partnership with System Training and the relationship continues to go from strength to strength.  System Training are keen to fully understand the requirements of our business and its people in order to maximise their support for an organisation striving to become recognisably the best logistics service provider in the UK.”  

Paul Spink, Commercial Director of System Training, said:

“System Training share TM Logistics goal to be a leader in the industry and our business model of providing a complete package, rather than just basic training delivery, will certainly be of great benefit to TM and their drivers.  Our expertise in selection, recruitment and training of Driver Training Instructors has ensured a smooth implementation of the programme and System’s ongoing mentoring and support to TM’s instructors is sure to maintain a strong review process and add enhanced value to their business.” 

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Note to Editors:

The Logistics Academy North West (LANW) is based at the University of Cumbria in Carlisle and offers employers in the logistics sector access to quality-assured training to improve the efficiency of their business.  It is one of nine Regional Logistics Academies being established in support of the Skills for Logistics strategy to reduce the skills gap in the logistics sector.  The academy is principally a single point of contact for advice and information to the logistics sector, particularly covering the area of training and development.  

Information created and supplied copyright free by The Inside Line Ltd.

Media contact: Glenn Patterson, m: 07920 548976, e: glenn@the-inside-line.co.uk

Further information on System Training and their training and workforce development solutions available from Stephanie Norman, t: 01228 574024, e: Stephanie.norman@system-training.com

System Training, one of the UK’s leading training companies, has now become approved by the Health and Safety Executive as a licensed provider of first aid training.   

Based in Carlisle, System Training already benefits from being a provider of a wide range of accredited health and safety training courses, as well as providing consultancy services to clients.   

Following its latest accreditation System can now offer the new three-day First Aid at Work course in addition to Emergency First Aid at Work, Paediatric First Aid and Re-qualifying first aid training.   

Regular open courses will be held at System Training’s existing centre at Carlisle Airport Business Park, and can also be delivered to client groups at their own premises.   

Casualty simulation exercises and assessments will form part of the syllabus, and involve the use of special effects make-up to ensure a more realistic approach to first aid is provided. 

Open course schedules have been planned throughout 2010 with an introductory price of £175 + VAT per person on the three-day First Aid at Work course.  Group discounts may also be available upon enquiry. 

Gordon Hastings, Health and Safety Manager at System Training, said:
“This is the culmination of a great deal of hard work by the health and safety team and firmly establishes System Training as a premier provider of a wide range of health and safety training.  The approval tied in exactly with the changes in first aid training that came in to effect on October 1st and changed the First Aid at Work course to a new three-day programme.  Our clients expect and receive the highest quality of training and becoming an approved centre for first aid training enhances our existing portfolio and allows us to offer an even greater level of service.”   

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Information created and supplied copyright free by The Inside Line Ltd. Media contact: Glenn Patterson, m: 07920 548976, e: glenn@the-inside-line.co.uk  

Further information on System Training and their training and workforce development solutions available from Stephanie Norman, t: 01228 574024, e: Stephanie.norman@system-training.com  

Driver CPC – 30% off all courses 

System Training is currently offering a massive saving on Driver CPC courses for a limited period only.

The Driver CPC is now in place for Bus, Coach and LGV drivers - and you must be able to demonstrate you have completed 35 hours of approved training to satisfy the requirements for the Driver Qualification card.

System Training is delivering a portfolio of high-quality, JAUPT accredited courses for you to choose from - all of which will have a positive impact on the profitability of your business. 

From November 2009 you can save 30% off the usual price of £120 per course.  This includes the JAUPT registration fee of £8.25 - saving you £44 per course.

If you book five days over the same week, you will make a saving of £223.75.

For more information call 01228 574000 or e-mail info@system-training.com 

Apprenticeships  

In a time of economic decline, it is especially vital to ensure our young people get the right opportunities to avoid becoming a long-term unemployment statistic. 

To encourage and support the employment of new Apprentices into the logistics industry, System Training is offering the following employer incentives for any new Apprentices enrolling with us for the 2009-2010 academic year (August 01st- July 31st).

System Training Apprenticeships are delivered in the following areas: Logistics; Motor Vehicle; Accountancy and IT User for Administrators.

To help you invest in the future of your workforce, System Training will contribute £95.00 per week towards the salary of a new Apprentice for the first six months.*

System Training will also train your apprentice in some of the following areas as part of their Apprenticeship, depending on the role they will carry out:

Car driving licence

Forklift licence

Large Goods Vehicle licence

Health and Safety & First Aid

Fast fit

Microsoft IT applications

*Minimum Apprentice salary is £95 per week.

For more information call 01228 574000 or e-mail info@system-training.com  

Driver training: 10% off all practical training plus free driving assessment  

Need to tow or drive a business vehicle? System Training is offering 10% discount on the cost of the practical element of licence training.

All types of licence are included: Categories C (Rigid); C+E (Artic); and C1 (7.5t) along with Categories D and D1 (minibus).

System Training is also offering a free driving assessment (usually £45) which could reduce the number of days training you need to take.  Training is usually priced at £160 per day, but with 10% off - £144, saving almost £100 over a usual 6 day training week.  System Training can provide medicals for candidates priced at £40 and will guide you through the Theory and Hazard perception tests and Driver CPC modules for new drivers.

There is also 10% off trailer training (B+E)  - suitable for drivers who passed their driving test after 1997 and need a separate licence to tow a trailer, perhaps for livestock or machinery.

For more information call 01228 574000 or e-mail info@system-training.com 

Fork Lift Truck Training - 10% off Refreshers & Initial training  

If you are looking to get your forklift licence for the first time, or refresh an existing licence, System Training is offering a 10% discount on all bookings made before January.  This offer applies to Counterbalance training in our purpose-built training centre, and any other type of truck on your own premises.   

Novice drivers usually require 5 days training; experienced drivers with no accredited licence or one that has expired 3 days, and RTITB accredited drivers just a one day refresher.

For more information call 01228 574000 or e-mail info@system-training.com

Two of the leading companies involved in the logistics industry have formed a strategic partnership to drive up the standard of training available in the sector. 

Carlisle-based System Training, part of Logistics Academy North West, and Germany’s MAN Group have joined forces to provide training solutions that comply with the recently-introduced Driver CPC legislation, which became mandatory in September 2009.  As well as a driving licence, lorry and bus & coach drivers who drive professionally must now hold a Certificate of Professional Competence, which is renewable every five years. 

In order to encourage best practice amongst its clients MAN turned to System Training, which has vast experience of providing learning within the logistics industry, to create a bespoke package for those wishing to gain the relevant qualifications. 

MAN believes the partnership with an approved training provider such as System Training gives its clients added value and a range of options that it would have been unable to deliver to the same standard had it brought the offering in-house. 

The joint venture between the two parties has also been extended to see System training MAN instructors who deliver other courses to NVQ level 3. 

The deal with MAN is the latest in System Training’s portfolio of agreements with blue-chip companies involved in the logistics and transport industry including Stobart Group, Tesco, ASDA, and Scania. 

Les Bishop, Product Marketing Manager at MAN Truck & Bus UK, said:  

“MAN and System Training share some very important standards in terms of product quality and delivery.  Like MAN, they have a good name in the transport sector and our discussions together convinced us of their suitability to be involved with the MAN brand.  I’m looking forward, on behalf of every MAN driver who attends our CPC courses, to a long and mutually beneficial partnership in this key area.” 

Paul Spink, Commercial Director of System Training, said:

“It’s fantastic to have such a strong relationship with a leading transport industry supplier such as MAN.  The development of our Driver CPC training package will not only ensure that drivers of MAN vehicles are suitably trained but will also help MAN to deliver real added benefits to their customers.  Their strong dealer network will help to ensure that System’s high quality driver training products will get exposure throughout the industry.” 

Ends 

Note to Editors:

The Logistics Academy North West (LANW) is based at the University of Cumbria in Carlisle and offers employers in the logistics sector access to quality-assured training to improve the efficiency of their business.  It is one of nine Regional Logistics Academies being established in support of the Skills for Logistics strategy to reduce the skills gap in the logistics sector.  The academy is principally a single point of contact for advice and information to the logistics sector, particularly covering the area of training and development. 

Information created and supplied copyright free by The Inside Line Ltd.

Media contact: Glenn Patterson, m: 07920 548976, e: glenn@the-inside-line.co.uk  

Further information on System Training and their training and workforce development solutions available from Stephanie Norman, t: 01228 574024, e: Stephanie.norman@system-training.com  

System Training successfully completed its inaugural First Aid at Work course as an HSE approved training provider on 4 November 2009.  Feedback from candidates was excellent and all were impressed with the high standard of the course and the realistic practical exercises carried out involving the use of special effects make-up.

To help celebrate this achievement, a group photograph was taken with all candidates and their instructor, Jason Pedley.  All candidates successfully completed a written set of questions and were also assessed for practical first aid skills. 

Further course training dates can be found at: http://www.system-group.com/first-aid-work-0

System Training was awarded the medium size Business of the Year award at the CN Group Business Awards 2009 held at Penrith’s Rheged Discovery Centre on Thursday 22nd October.

The awards saw more than 250 of Cumbria’s most influential industry chiefs gathered to toast a year of achievement in the face of adversity for the Cumbrian business community.

As one of those CEO Robin Brown was presented with the award for System Training who beat off tough competition to collect the Medium Business of the Year award.

Robin Brown said: 

“The award is a fantastic achievement for the company and reflects the hard work and effort of System Training staff. As an organisation we value our people who are our main asset and as such winning the medium size Business of the Year Award shows that their commitment during the past years is recognised.”

CN Group editorial director Neil Hodgkinson said: 

"As we all battle against the effects of the recession it is even more important that we continue to recognise the excellence of those companies and individuals that form the backbone for the future growth of our county.

These awards highlight the determination, innovation and entrepreneurialism that have led to success both at home and abroad.”

Two leading companies involved in the motor trade have joined forces to promote apprenticeships and raise skill standards.

TMS Motor Spares and System Training hosted an open day in Carlisle where 20 representatives from garages in the local area had the opportunity to learn more about the options available for motor vehicle apprenticeships. 

A range of free or subsidised courses are available to help companies integrate young workers into their businesses while also making efficiencies and building up their available skills base.  The motor vehicle training schemes on offer range from NVQs, Key Skills and Apprenticeships to the Certificate in Automotive Management – and all are fully accredited by the IMI and City & Guilds, the leading awarding bodies for the motor sector.  

With employer support packages in place, including matching candidates to businesses and additional support for people who have special learning needs, it is hoped more companies will take advantage of these options and take on well-prepared youngsters in what is an ever-more regulated and demanding industry.

Other topics covered on the open day included an introduction to new automotive diagnostics machinery available to garages, and information on training courses for companies who offer air conditioning repair services.

With the number of vehicles in the UK featuring air conditioning having risen significantly over the past few years, and new EU regulations coming into force regarding the efficiency of air-con units in July 2010, many garages are having to give existing staff members the skills to deal with this growth area in repairs or find new ones to train specifically for it in order to meet demand.

The workshop was hosted by System Training at their headquarters at Carlisle Airport Business Park and was led by their Motor Vehicle Apprenticeship Training Manager Dave Walker.

Dave Walker of System Training said:

“The event was a fantastic success and we had representatives from garages in Penrith, Carlisle, Whitehaven and Lochmaben attending.  The Motor Vehicle Apprenticeship is a great concept and very useful to garage owners and employees, with better trained staff helping to maximise revenue and enhance customer retention. The day was fully subscribed and very well received so we will plan an additional session later in the year.” 

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Information created and supplied copyright free by The Inside Line Ltd. Media contact: Glenn Patterson, m: 07920 548976, e: glenn@the-inside-line.co.uk  

Further information on System Training and their training and workforce development solutions available from Stephanie Norman, t: 01228 574024, e: Stephanie.norman@system-training.com

System Training are holding another free Driver CPC Advice Seminars, targeted at Drivers, Owner Drivers and any Road Transport Haulage, Bus or Coach company employing drivers or running a fleet of vehicles as part of their business.

The seminar will focus on drivers of Passenger Carrying Vehicles and Goods Vehicles exceeding 3.5 tonnes.  Key messages will include an introduction to the Driver CPC, understanding the legal requirements, partnership opportunities (including our DCPC consortium arrangement and how to become a part of it) and the types of courses that will be available.  

The next date is: 

Carlisle                       

• Wednesday 28th October 2009

The session will start at 8.00am -10.00 am and include free breakfast.

For more details, or to book your free space at this event please email Stephanie Norman at Stephanie.norman@system-group.com or call 01228 574000.

Cumbrian secondary school pupils looking for career options after they received their exam results had the opportunity to learn more about entering the logistics industry when a roadshow run by one of the UK’s leading training providers visited schools in the area. 

System Training mobile classrooms visited Richard Rose Morton Academy and Richard Rose Central Academy in Carlisle on Thursday 20 and 27 of August offering youngsters the chance to gain an insight into working in one of the region’s most important industries - including roles such as large vehicle driving, warehouse management and logistics planning. 

In conjunction with Cumbrian transport giant Stobart Group, System Training has set up a government-backed Apprenticeship in Logistics that includes practical work experience in various aspects of the industry, as well as providing classroom-based learning that leads to nationally-recognised qualifications and an opportunity to move into full-time employment upon completion of the course.   Another benefit of the scheme is that participants also receive a wage during their time on it to ensure they don’t have to incur the level of debt that affects many students.   

The Apprenticeship is aimed at giving local youngsters the opportunity to gain a firm grounding in one of the UK’s biggest economic sectors, while raising the standard of talent available to local firms seeking new employees. The school roadshows had been timed to coincide with pupils receiving their GCSE and A-level results in order to make them aware of the opportunities available to them should they decide to move into further education or training.  The new Logistics Apprenticeship is now open to applicants.

System Training, which is based in Carlisle, has grown to become one of the UK’s most successful providers of workplace learning and has worked closely with Stobart Group and the government agency Skills for Logistics to build the Logistics Apprenticeship scheme. It is now hoping to engage other leading employers in Cumbria to develop similar schemes in order to improve the region’s long-term economic prospects. 

Anyone interested in finding out more about the scheme should contact John Anderson at System Training on 01228 574000. 

System Training CEO Robin Brown said:

“In the present economic climate young people who are leaving school are faced with an increasingly tough job market.  The fantastic young talent pool available in Cumbria deserves opportunities from local businesses to be able to show this talent.  It is in the interest of companies to attract dynamic young enthusiastic individuals who will add value and new ideas to the organisation.  The Logistics Apprenticeship has the personal support of Andrew Tinkler, CEO of Stobart Group, who understands the importance of offering young people a structured career path and an opportunity to succeed.” 

Ends 

Information created and supplied copyright free by The Inside Line Ltd.

Media contact: Glenn Patterson, m: 07920 548976, e: glenn@the-inside-line.co.uk

Further information on System Training and their training and workforce development solutions available from Stephanie Norman, t: 01228 574024, e:Stephanie.norman@system-training.com