Transport secretary Grant Shapps has welcomed Road Safety GB’s new apprenticeship scheme and is encouraging eligible organisations to apply.
Launched on Monday (14 June), the new qualification – ‘Delivery and Management of Safe, Sustainable and Healthy Travel’ – is designed to enhance the skills of practitioners working in local authorities, emergency services, charities and the fleet sector.
Developed in conjunction with Eden Training Solutions, the qualification is suitable for those new to a management role who wish to take the first steps into professional management, or those already in a management role who wish to develop their theoretical understanding of management skills and behaviours.
It covers areas including interpersonal excellence, leading people, communication, organisational performance, project management, finance, decision making, the safe systems approach to road safety and encompassing technical expertise.
The qualification falls under the Government’s apprenticeship scheme and has received backing from transport secretary Grant Shapps.
In a video produced to mark the launch of the apprenticeship, Mr Shapps said: “We already have a very effective road safety industry in this country. Experts working for local authorities, charities, traffic police and in the fleet sector who all help improve the skills and knowledge of motorists.
“Road Safety GB Academy has been instrumental in that process, providing training for many practitioners.
Transport secretary, Grant Shapps
“But now, with the launch of the Academy’s new apprenticeship scheme, it can offer an even more valuable service. Teaching transferable skills, to develop future road safety professionals who in turn, will help address the behavioural problems that are at the root of so many fatal traffic crashes.
“The apprenticeship scheme is designed to create an agile and professional workforce not only for Road Safety GB members and their employees, but all employers who are eligible to apply through the apprenticeship levy.
“It will help develop managers with a clear understanding of road safety best practice preparing them to deliver their own road safety training within their organisations.”
The apprenticeship scheme will cover Levels 3, 4 and 5, with Level 3 being launched first.
The Level 3 element will be underpinned by the safe systems approach and will include teaching and learning and health, well-being and the environment.
Levels 4 and 5 elements are currently being developed and will be introduced later in the year.
Access to the scheme will be via employers, and will be funded through the Government’s apprenticeship programme. It will also be available to those practitioners who do not wish to take the apprenticeship route.
For more information, contact Alan Kennedy, executive director of Road Safety GB, via email.
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