I saw this in the newsfeeds about a2om’s DriveIQ course.
It’s worth pointing out that a2om started life as a definitely-for-profit driving school, which employed its instructors, and boasted they were better than anyone else in the known universe. The fallout from this still reverberates with a handful of very vociferous (but usually incoherent) individuals who pop up from time to time in various places.
This business model failed very quickly. So a2om then developed its training software and now touts this as what comes across as the best training system in the entire universe. It is also involved with pushing a BTEC in driving, which is touted as what comes across as virtually the best qualification in the universe.
From a driving instructor’s point of view, “qualifying” to deliver the BTEC using a2om’s software involves little more than half a day in a big meeting room with about a dozen people, many of whom still seem unable to deliver the modules properly at the end because of the complexity involved (when I went on it, at least two had only recently qualified as ADIs and they were barely comfortable with normal lessons). After that you are ready to deliver it and are called “a coach” – and you can boast of the fact as “CPD” if that’s the kind of thing you’re into.
The pricing structure for the course as far as new drivers is concerned is confusing. There is a free element which gives access to the software, and two levels after that which involve actual lessons (arranged with “a coach” on the approved list). Only the second – and more expensive – option gives the BTEC certificate. In effect, you pay for a certificate.
There is absolutely nothing in the DriveIQ syllabus that a good ADI wouldn’t already be covering. The only difference is that the candidate pays extra for it.
Little of that extra money goes to the instructors, and a2om is currently saying that DriveIQ is “not for profit” (how they pay their staff therefore remains a mystery). The only real instructor benefit is extra work. However, take up in anywhere but the most affluent parts of the country is almost non-existent. Indeed, the very places where most accidents seem to happen are the areas least likely to be able to afford – and have the least inclination to do – the BTEC (from what I’ve seen).
The whole thing about BTEC courses is also confusing. It seems like anyone can offer one, and many do. But they’re often not worth the paper the certificates are mass-printed on. They’re virtually impossible to fail and getting one does not in any way influence how a young person is going to drive once they get their black Corsa with wide exhaust pipe and tinted windows.
It sounds negative, I know, but it is going to take a lot more than pseudo-philanthropic ideals from a previously commercial company to sort out the problem of 17-year olds killing themselves. Fair enough, the software they have developed might be good, but it isn’t perfect and it isn’t the only option.
Just my opinion.