Driver Trainer Neil Rettie from Stagecoach has just returned from a 12 week assignment in Zambia where he delivered the first of four blocks of training sessions to private bus and coach operators in Lusaka. Neil’s work is extending the reach of the Professional Driver Training Project in Zambia to incorporate public service vehicles in addition to truck driver training.
Through delivering the course Safe & Skilled Driving – Zambia which includes a mix of both classroom and practical training, Neil has provided skills updating to drivers from several Lusaka based coach operators. These inputs are also being received by the four driver trainers at the ITCT, further building the capacity of the centre.
So far, Neil has trained 60 drivers from CR Carriers and Mazhandu Family Bus Services who operate large passenger buses. His work will help increase driver awareness and understanding on all aspects of PSV driving with the aim of reducing the number of road crashes which occur at an alarming rate on Zambia’s roads.
In addition to bus and coach training, Neil helped the ITCT to deliver two defensive driving training courses in the Copperbelt region to existing drivers. He has also made recommendations to the Road Transport and Safety Agency in Zambia (RTSA) and will be helping them with the development and implementation of their curriculum through the sharing of best practice and other materials on his return to the project in January. Neil has three more secondments planned across 2010 to support the project over the forthcoming year.
Please click here to read more about the Professional Driver Training Project in Zambia.
You can view a short three minute film of the Professional Driver Training Project on You Tube by clicking here.
