Civil Servants, including Driving Test Examiners are planning a 48 hour strike on 8th and 9th March 2010 following a long-running row over changes to the civil service compensation scheme.
The Public and Commercial Services Union voted in favour of strike action and an overtime ban.
General secretary Mark Serwotka said: “These cuts, which will see loyal civil and public servants lose tens of thousands of pounds if they are forced out of a job, are more about crude politicking than making savings.
“We have suggested ways in which the Government can make these savings whilst protecting the rights of existing members, yet it seems intent on penalising the people who keep this country running.”
Changes to redundancy and compensation agreements will see staff lose entitlements and redundancy pay. Further strike dates may be finalised when the union’s national executive committee meet next week.
Candidates with driving tests booked for either the 8th or 9th March should contact the DSA on 0300 200 1122 for further guidance.
Many driving instructors will already be aware of coaching and indeed, some are already incorporating it into their lessons. ‘Coaching’ is the big buzz word at the moment in the industry with the DSA attempting to incorporate new and improved techniques into teaching and testing with a view to creating much more responsible drivers than are created using traditional ‘instructional’ methods. Indeed, ‘coaching of driving skills and methods’ is listed in the competency framework for CPD for driving instructors and with the EU Hermes project focusing on ‘coaching and optimal communication skills’, you can expect to see a lot of development in this area over the coming months and years.
Coaching is not just a case of asking questions (which instructors do already as part of their everyday teaching). It is about asking questions which raise the awareness and responsibility from within the coachee. There are many tools that instructors can use from within the coaching toolbox and the effects of using coaching with learners can be quite profound.
Sir John Whitmore & Ged Wilmot
To date, there has been little information available about coaching specifically for driving instructors. Last year, the University of East London ran its pilot course – a Postgraduate qualification in ‘Coaching for Driver Development’ in which a handful of the best professional driver trainers and coaches from all aspects of the driving world were invited to attend. I was fortunate enough to be one of the delegates invited to attend that course, along with my good friend and colleague Kathy Higgins of Insight2Drive. We have recognised that courses and workshops for driving instructors are few and far between and so we have developed a one day coaching course specifically designed for Approved Driving Instructors.
The one day ‘Practical Coaching Techniques for Driving Instructors’ interactive workshop offers driving instructors essential information which can be incorporated into the everyday work of an ADI. The content will include basic principles and benefits of using coaching in driver training, what makes a good coach, and lots of practical coaching techniques. There are two workshop dates currently available, Monday 22nd February 2010 in Oldham and Thursday 18th March 2010 in Liverpool.
Both courses will be run by me (Ged Wilmot), Claire Wilmot and Kathy Higgins. Having a wealth of driver coaching experience, we are excited to be able to offer such a course to ADI’s throughout the North West of England.
The course fee is £139, which includes lunch and refreshments. Spaces are limited and going fast, so you’ll need to act quickly!
If you would like further information about the course, please contact Claire Wilmot on 07956 104160 or complete the contact form on the Active Driving Solutions website.
COW, the graphic texting & driving public information film which we discussed on the Latics blog in August is being given its TV premiere by BBC Wales next week after becoming a global hit on the internet.
The film stars young actors from south Wales and shows a teenager killing four people in a crash when she sends a text from her mobile phone whilst driving.
Filmmaker Peter Watkins-Hughes produced it for Gwent Police as an educational tool for young drivers. It will be broadcast for the first time on BBC Two Wales on Monday 2nd November at 10pm (Sky Channel 991).
Campaign materials are now available for October’s tyre safety month, which focuses on tread depth and will encourage drivers to check and replace any illegal tyres on their vehicle.
The campaign is organised by TyreSafe, a non commercial organisation responsible for raising awareness of the dangers of defective and worn tyres and is backed by RoadSafe. It uses the theme of a ‘life saver in your pocket’ and gives motorists advice on how to check to see if their tyres may be illegal, simply by using a 20p coin.
Tyres are the only part of the vehicle which are in contact with the road. Safety in acceleration, braking, steering and cornering all depend on a relatively small area of road contact. It is therefore of paramount importance that tyres are well maintained and that their tyre tread depth is above the legal limit to maximise performance and safety. By law, car tyres must have a minimum of 1.6mm of tread in a continuous band throughout the central three-quarters of the tread width and round the entire circumference of the tyre.
The driver of the vehicle is responsible for making sure their tyres are legal and in a roadworthy condition. The penalty for driving with an illegal tyre is a fine of up to £2,500 and three penalty points per tyre. This could cost your licence, or worse still a life.
To check your tread, simply insert a 20p coin into your tyre’s tread grooves. If you are able to see the inside rim of the coin, the tyre tread may be worn close to the legal limit.
If you haven’t already heard from your other sources of information, the DSA booking systems will be closed from 5.15pm on Thursday July 30th until 8.00am on Tuesday August 4th (approximate times) for essential IT maintenance on their operational systems.
All online services to book or amend practical tests and other instructor services including updating your contact details, applying for registration, renewing your certificate and ordering Pass Plus packs will be unavailable. The Contact Centre will be offering a limited service between 8am and 6pm on Friday 31st July.
For any enquiries, please call the DSA on 0300 200 11 22.
Ged Wilmot with Trevor Wedge (DSA Chief Driving Examiner)
Congratulations to Ged Wilmot, Manager and ADI Trainer at Active Driving Solutions, who achieved faultless results in his recent DSA ORDIT assessment.
Ged and Claire Wilmot, who provide DSA ORDIT Approved Driving Instructor Training to clients from throughout the UK (as well as for Latics Driver Training) achieved fantastic results on their bi-annual assessment with Ged gaining straight 6’s, the best result you can possibly get.
This is the second time Ged has achieved the ultimate result of straight 6’s as he also managed it on his recent ADI Fleet Check Test.
All instructors trained by Ged and Claire can be assured that they are certainly getting the best ADI training out there.Thisbenefits Latics Driver Training and the people who learn with Latics as all instructors trained by Ged and Claire really are trained to the highest standard.
This week, Latics Driver Training unveiled it’s new brand image, with all the fleet’s vehicles soon being branded with the latest livery. The innovative design, spearheaded by Managing Director Claire Wilmot, was unveiled on Thursday at the Latics Driver Training office in Oldham.
Look out for all our cars throughout the area as they are branded with the new eye-catching design over the coming weeks!
Latics Driver Training's new vehicle branding
Ric Hughes, one of the Latics Driving Instructors covering Ashton under Lyne, Glossop, Hyde and Oldham was the first to have his car branded with the new design. Ric said, “It looks great, and all my pupils love it! My car’s been turning heads wherever I go!”
Road users are injured and die on the Borough’s roads every year. The age group most affected is 17 to 25 year olds.
The Road Safety Unit of Rochdale’s Impact Partnership are organising a driver safety evening presented by a range of road safety experts. The event is open to 17-25 year olds and their parents. It takes place at Rochdale Town Hall on 6th May 2009 at 6.30pm.
Thanks to all the staff and customers at Costco in Oldham for a great Trade Fair today!
Claire Wilmot & Sophie Holland
We were able to meet with many members of the public who were interested in learning to drive (or knew someone who wanted to learn). Sophie Holland (Office Manager), along with Frank Walsh ADI and Ric Hughes ADI were there for the full day to hand out leaflets, pens and road safety materials to passing customers, and some even got to try out the Theory and Hazard Perception test on site, too! Claire Wilmot (Managing Director) said, “today’s trade fair here at Costco has generated quite a lot of interest, and we hope to do more of the same in the future. Latics Driver Training prides itself on being the best driving school in the area, and it’s been great to have been able to meet and answer questions from the public about learning to drive”.
Special thanks to Sophie, Frank and Ric for all their hard work!
Latics Driver Training will be at this weekend’s Automotive Trade Fair at Costco in Oldham. The event runs from 11am to 4pm. Staff and instructors will be on hand to answer any questions you may have about learning to drive. You’ll also have the opportunity to try your hand at a mock driving theory test and Hazard Perception Test.
Leaflets will be available on all aspects of Road Safety, along with plenty of freebies! Why not book your first driving lesson for just £10 whilst you’re there? We will also be running a unique promotion this weekend, which will entitle Trade Fair visitors to our best deal on block bookings yet – don’t miss it!
Full details of all our driving courses will be available, including our innovative Head Start Programme, where those aged 16 can learn basic driving skills in a safe environment before getting out on the roads when they turn 17.
We look forward to seeing you there – entrance to Costco is FREE to members and their visitors. Details, opening times and directions to Costco can be found here.
Civil Servants, including Driving Test Examiners are planning a 48 hour strike on 8th and 9th March 2010 following a long-running row over changes to the civil service compensation scheme.
Road users are injured and die on the Borough’s roads every year. The age group most affected is 17 to 25 year olds.
Latics Driver Training will be at this weekend’s Automotive Trade Fair at Costco in Oldham. The event runs from 11am to 4pm. Staff and instructors will be on hand to answer any questions you may have about learning to drive. You’ll also have the opportunity to try your hand at a mock driving theory test and Hazard Perception Test.
