Commercial fleet operators applaud FTA’s van fleet certificate of excellence

Venson Automotive Solutions and the Freight Transport Association (FTA) have delivered over 12 Van Fleet Certificate of Excellence courses. 113 delegates from 45 organisations have successfully attended the courses and received their personal Van Fleet Certificate of Excellence. The course is designed specifically to assist those individuals responsible for managing commercial fleets, helping them meet best practice when operating and maintaining vehicles.

Building on its commitment to ensuring safer, more efficient and sustainable van operations, Venson introduced the Van Fleet Certificate of Excellence course to benefit its social housing and public sector clients.

Individuals attended a half-day workshop that concluded with a short exam to obtain the Van Fleet Certificate of Excellence. When asked “how relevant the course was”, 89.5% of attendees marked it 5 (very relevant) with a further 10.5% giving it a 4 (relevant). 100% of attendees say they would recommend the course. Attendee Ade O’Connor, Fleet Manager of Spectrum Property Care Ltd, said: “I have been in fleet management for 15 years and they say you’re never too old to learn. The Venson and FTA Van Fleet Certificate of Excellence course was well delivered and extremely informative and set a clear direction for achieving the standard and how to go about doing so. It is definitely something I’ll aim to achieve with my fleet of 600 LCV’s.”

Alison Bell, Marketing Director for Venson Automotive Solutions, adds “Figures from the Department of Transport (DfT) confirm how much of a concern fleet safety is for businesses; 541 people were killed, 4,822 seriously injured and more than 40,000 slightly injured in collisions involving a work related driving accident. The success of our courses confirms just how eager businesses, and the individuals responsible for a fleet’s safety, are to tackle this issue head on.

“By working together with the FTA, we are giving organisations some of the tools they need to meet their legal duty of care and comply with health and safety regulations. Our course is not only designed to support fleet managers and empower individuals who manage or operate commercial vehicles, but raise industry standards by implementing best practice.”

The Venson and FTA training seminar covered vehicle maintenance systems, administration, driver licensing checks and speed limits, as well as vital information on securing loads, towing equipment and driver behaviour and competence. The Van Fleet Certificate of Excellence is valid for three years and helps drivers and their managers maintain high levels of safety and competence. Further courses are taking place around the UK during 2018.