Modernising Driver Training

I got an email alert from the DSA today containing the minutes of a meeting held to discuss the ongoing Modernising Driver Training (MDT) Project.

What I found interesting was how the chairman opened the meeting and

…encouraged members to be open and constructive and welcomed input from all.

but in the next paragraph, there was the concern raised that

…misleading information about modernisation proposals was starting to appear in the public domain, which could cause complications in the coming months. It was agreed that the only information to be published should be the formal notes which would be circulated following the meeting and possibly published in a future edition of Despatch.

I can’t help but think that some of the people and groups involved in this are frequently anti-DSA, so is it any surprise that negative reports are perhaps leaking out? The public has to get hold of information from somewhere if it is going to twist it into still more anti-DSA ranting.

But the minutes do give an insight into what is being considered and proposed for instructor training in the future.

  • The HERMES report is complete (I’m going to do an article on this shortly)
  • There is general agreement on the CPD proposals, e.g. a minimum of 7 hours CPD will be required from ADIs each year; at least half of that must be focused on the core competencies every four year period; there is concern over what sanctions would be imposed for failure to comply
  • The longer-term aim is to introduce a vocational qualification for future PDIs, and the current proposals are a step in that direction – those at the meeting felt that this should be prioritised
  • It appears that the group would like to see PDIs hold “a basic preparing to teach qualification before starting the DSA qualifying process”
  • This would be optional for existing ADIs
  • Case studies will be tested from March onwards for the ADI qualification (Theory Test), but this will not affect the outcome of the test
  • The group feels that there should be a limit of three attempts at the Theory Test in any two year window (at the moment there is no limit)
  • Some sort of commentary drive will become part of the qualifying process – the group appeared to be confused over this and requested an example (unanswered)
  • PSTs to be replaced with some kind of themed lesson – the group debated whether PDIs should be warned in advance to allow them to prepare (unanswered)
  • The ‘Pink’ trainee license will be scrapped in its current form – PDIs will have to be accompanied by an ADI at all times if they teach real pupils. It may even become mandatory to train this way
  • In future, Check Test booking is likely to become more the responsibility of the ADI instead of the DSA (50% of CTs are rebooked at present)
  • The group agreed that ADI grading needed clear descriptors of what the grades meant; was linked in with CPD; should focus on ADIs who are not performing well; should be realistic in describing competency; includes and element of self-assessment and performance on the day (the group appeared confused over “self-assessment”)

The response to the group’s concern with “self-assessment” was

Reflection and self assessment form the basis of modern learning and teaching and therefore is a skill that ADIs need to be able to develop in trainees and themselves to maximise the benefits of the new learning to drive syllabus.

This made me both cringe and break out into a cold sweat at the same time! I’ve had to live through crap like this before – it’s part of Teamworking® (read the About Me section), and it is not pleasant. In a nutshell, you have to be able to say bad things about yourself no matter how incorrect those things are just to satisfy someone you are worthy of a pay rise instead of a pay cut (or in this case, potentially keeping your green badge or not). Only saying good things about yourself is classed as negative, because whoever you are saying them to will already have negative opinions he wants you to agree with. This is just about the only part of the proposals I don’t like.

Fortunately, this is going to be discussed further – the group is obviously not happy, either.

  • Public information will enable people to find out information (and leave feedback) about an ADI. The group is not in agreement about whether ADI grades should be made available to the public

You can read the full minutes here .

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