Which legislation guides driver and operator training?

South Africa has developed one of the most comprehensive national skills development systems in the world. Apart from the Skills Development legislation, South Africa now also has additional national mechanisms such as the National Skills Development Strategy to eliminate the serious skills gaps, poverty and unemployment to improve its ratings as a competitive nation.

The original Skills Development Act, 97 of 1998 and the Skills Development Amendment Act 37 of 2008 and the SAQA Act 58 of 1995 refers.

Lifting Machine Operator Training such as Forklifts, Reach Trucks and all types of cranes is compulsory for all operators in terms of the Occupational Health and Safety Act and the Driven Machinery Regulations

How does TETA fit into the picture?

A central component in the transformation of skills development was the establishment of the Education and Training Authorities (for each economic sector) that would oversee all the training activities for their specific economic sector.  TETA, being the training authority of the transport sector is given its powers through the SAQA Act.

Why use accredited providers?

The training providers who provide the training are accredited by the relevant SETA through a rigorous quality management process.

The purpose of accreditation by TETA is to ensure through rigorous accreditation processes, that the learners and the integrity of the training are protected.  It also protects the clients by ensuring that professional training services at an agreed standard are delivered.

What is a Learnership in Professional Driving?

A Learnership is a structured learning experience that consists of theoretical, practical and workplace training. The main benefit of a Learnership is that the learner gets the theoretical training, practical training and workplace exposure in a workplace as part of their training to gain practical experience.  The total credits required for the National Certificate in Professional Driving is 122 credits.  This qualification is obtained through a Learnership process which is a route that can be used by persons to obtain their National Certificate in Professional Driving.  All professional drivers training in South Africa is based on these unit standards which are the only recognised standards for driving in the industry.

The following is a brief outline of the Unit Standards available for driver training:

Operate a Rigid Heavy Vehicle & Operate a Combination Vehicle – Unit Standard 123253

The purpose of learning is to ensure safe, professional operation of rigid  heavy vehicles with a gross vehicle mass exceeding 3.5 tons. Credited learners can drive a specific type of rigid heavy vehicle in accordance with legal, safety, manufacturer and other relevant requirements and reflect on the manner in which the vehicle is operated. Competent drivers are able to preserve vehicles as assets, drive safely and defensively, and contribute significantly to the economy by transporting goods and/or passengers.

Operate a Combination Vehicle - Unit Standard 123254

The purpose of learning is to ensure safe, professional operation of vehicle combinations with a gross vehicle mass exceeding 3.5 tons, and consisting of a drawing vehicle and trailer/s.

Training Process and Methodology:

The following methodology is utilised in our accredited driver training programmes:

• Theoretical training to ensure the learner understands the foundational principles of driving

• Practical Pre-training assessment

• Remedial Training on problem areas

• Final assessment

• Feedback to Learner, Management and Seta.

Development Areas:

• Prepare the vehicle for a trip

• Drive and manoeuvre a HRV with specified requirements

• Maintain road service quality (loading to specifications, safety and stability, acceleration, deceleration, moving off safely etc.)

• Handle unexpected and emergency situations according to specific procedures

• Park the vehicle according to specific requirements (co policy, traffic regulations, loading compartments, security of vehicles etc)

Training and Development of Bus and Taxi Drivers

Provide Tour Coach Services – Unit Standard 123255

The purpose of the learning credited in this unit standard is to ensure that learners are able to safely provide tour coach services. Learners are required to ensure passenger safety and comfort, and to maintain high levels of service specified for local and international tours by luxury coach. Improved passenger services, passenger safety and passenger comfort lead to improved customer service and profitability, and decreased human and economic costs due to injury and damage. Tourism, provision of professional tourism services, and adhering to international tourism standards are a national priority.

Provide Commuter Services – Unit Standard 123256

The purpose of the learning credited in this unit standard is to ensure that learners are able to safely provide commuter services by road. Learners are required to ensure commuter safety and comfort, adhere to scheduled times and service quality specifications, and collect revenue for services. Improved commuter services, commuter safety and commuter comfort lead to improved customer service and profitability, decreased human and economic costs due to injury and damage, and improved professional image of the transport sector.

Provide Long Distance Bus and Coach Services – Unit Standard 123252

The purpose of the learning credited in this unit standard is to ensure that learners are able to safely provide long distance coach/bus services. Learners are required to ensure passenger safety and comfort. Improved passenger services, passenger safety and passenger comfort lead to improved customer service and profitability, decreased human and economic costs due to injury and damage, and improved professional image of the transport sector.

Unit Standard which teach drivers other essential skills

for professional drivers:

Foster and Maintain Customer Relations – Unit Standard 123258

The purpose of the learning credited in this unit standard is to ensure that learners are able to interact professionally with customers. Improved customer relations leads to improved customer service, which, in turn, results in business growth and profitability. Professional driving services are improved, thereby improving the image and profitability of the field of transport services. This set of competence is transferable to all other fields where services are provided to customers, and thus improves the employability of credited learners, by enhancing their understanding of the processes and the context of customer service.

Maintaining Occupational Health and Safety and General Housekeeping – Unit Standard 8016

A learner accredited with this standard will be able to demonstrate applied competence in occupational health, safety awareness of environmental issues and general housekeeping based on statutory and industry requirements.

Apply knowledge of HIV Aids to a specific business sector and workplace –Unit Standard 11491

This unit standard provides a broad introduction to HIV/AIDS in the workplace. It introduces knowledge about HIV/AIDS that will enable learners to be informed and caring workers in an industry and managers to develop appropriate policies to deal with the pandemic. The focus is knowledge, skills, values and attitudes in relation to the learner and management with a view to creating a caring environment in the workplace and the community.

A manager in the context of this Unit Standard is the manager of a small business and first line managers of business units, team leaders and supervisors in medium and large organisations. The term business unit implies a small business, cost centre, section or department.

Typical Learnership Programme

Depending on the practical skills level of the learner (which is assessed by means of a diagnostic assessment), the programme described below will be implemented.  The progress of the learner will be determined by the learner’s own learning ability and practical skills.

All learners will undergo each of the three phases of the programme:

1. Theoretical or classroom training on the knowledge aspects in the unit standards.  This knowledge training is seen as a critical component in achieving competence in the practical driving and all interaction processes with peers, employers and customers. Learners will also be taught to adhere to company policies, Legal requirements and manufacturer’s standards.  (See the content of the unit standards)

Duration : 40 days per learner