Unit 53: Continuing professional development
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is due to be introduced as mandatory for all driving instructors. The principle is sound but some details may need work. DSA suggest that 50% of training will be compulsory, while 50% will be ‘elective’ allowing you to decide on your specialism. The list below has been put forward for consultation by the DSA:
| Prescribed: (minimum of 50% equates to 14 hours) |
Elective: (maximum of 50% no more than 14 hours) |
Monitoring and Assessment:
- Evaluation of road and traffic conditions to drive trainee’s actions.
- Supervision of trainee’s driving
- Directing trainees in specific actions and manoeuvres
- Monitoring of trainee’s progress
- Provision of feedback to trainees
- Recording of trainee’s achievement
- Supervision of trainee’s through assessment
- Directing trainee’s future development and training
- Evaluation of own teaching performance
|
Communication Skills:
- Appropriateness
- Watching
- Speaking
- Listening
- Writing/Drawing
- Non-verbal communication
- Special needs training
|
Strategy & Planning:
- Strategy & planning
- Lesson delivery
- Instructor development
|
Personal Characterisitcs:
- Attitude
- Awareness
- Instruction
|
Instruction Delivery:
- Demonstration of driving skills & methods
- Coaching of driving skills & methods
|
Business Practice:
- Monitoring & controlling resources
- Record keeping
- Health, safety & welfare
- Relationships with trainees, customers & the general public
|
Driving Knowledge:
- Road and traffic knowledge
- Vehicle knowledge
|
Business Development:
- Sales and marketing
- Staff recruitment
- Vehicle selection
|
Driving Skills:
- Vehicle handling ability
- Awareness of driving situation
|
|
Driving Abilities:
- Sensory perception
- Cognitive abilities
- Physical movement & coordination
|
|
You will already have an idea as to where you would like your career to go, and as discussed earlier you may wish to progress beyond teaching learners. Whatever niche you would like to occupy, having extra skills sets which customers cannot find from other instructors in your area will guarantee your income.
All of this training will cost you money, though many local instructor groups are planning on doing group training with local independent instructors in order to reduce the costs of this training. Work out what area you feel you would like more training in and discuss this with your trainer. Do the research with regards who can provide this training, and who will be the best people to work with.
If you are with a franchise you will want to discuss your training with your trainer or area manager, as they will know what skills the franchise would like you to have to make you (and them) more saleable to prospective customers.
| Discussion Points: |
Covered: |
| Prescribed and Elective, start thinking how you can fulfil the requirements |
|
| Where do you see your career going? |
|
