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SQA Reviewing dangerous goods driver training scheme (ADR)

By Gary Quinn, testing services manager, Scottish Qualifications Authority

The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) has announced that the Department for Transport (DfT) has given it the opportunity to mount a review of the dangerous goods driver training scheme (ADR).

When SQA took over responsibility for the administration of the ADR scheme in October 2006, it was conscious of the fact that the scheme had been operating unchanged for many years. Whilst, SQA had initially intimated in its proposal that it would conduct a review of the scheme, it was agreed with the DfT that any review would wait until such time as the online database had been successfully introduced.

Both parties agreed that too many changes too soon could present risks to what was and remains a very successful programme. It was agreed that this should be revisited once the online database had an opportunity to be firmly established.

SQA has consistently delivered a reliable service during management of the scheme in the last 22 months, receiving favourable opinion across the dangerous goods industry. During this successful period, discussions took place between the DfT and SQA with a view to considering proposals to take forward a review of the ADR scheme.

Full review

At the Dangerous Goods Driver Training and Advisory Panel meeting in January 2008, the DfT announced SQA had been instructed to carry out a full and thorough review of the scheme. This wide-ranging review has included consideration of the following important aspects.

Firstly, it will allow a check that the UK ADR scheme is closely aligned with the principles of the European Agreement Concerning the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods (ADR), specifically Chapter 8.2, which is used as the basis of alignment, together with UK Regulations, The Carriage of Dangerous Goods and Use of Transportable Pressure Equipment Regulations 2007. This requires that drivers of vehicles carrying dangerous goods, within the scope of the regulations, undertake a basic training course and hold a Vocational Training Certificate.

Secondly, it allows an opportunity to refine the structure of the qualification and challenge the complex nature of the existing scheme. Thirdly, the dangerous goods industry is being involved and consulted at each key stage of the review to ensure the finished product is fit for purpose.

Online consultation

SQA is aiming to have a revised qualification structure operational by January 2009.
The dangerous goods industry is being given the opportunity to participate in the review through an online consultation, circulated to industry stakeholders in June 2008. The consultation document outlines the main proposals for a revised scheme and provides a series of questions for respondents to supply their opinion and comments.

The Qualification Development Group (QDG), the team responsible for shaping these proposals, will review the results of this consultation. The QDG will then use the results of the consultation to refine the final syllabus and training structure proposal to be submitted to DfT for approval in September 2008.

Appropriate solution

Engaging stakeholders will contribute to an appropriate solution, whilst SQA will ensure its clear mandate from DfT is achieved by meeting the objectives or outcomes of the review. SQA’s core principles in qualification development will be applied during this review.
Our quality assurance framework covers all aspects of our qualifications, from initial design and development to assessment and certification of candidates. We are committed to maintaining an assessment and quality system that is easy to understand, effectively administered and cost-effective for us, employers and training providers.

At this stage, it is not possible to gauge the final implications of this review for the dangerous goods industry. However, one option being considered during the review will be the qualification structure and, subject to feedback, one expected outcome might be that the revised qualification structure is arranged in such a way that drivers sit a basic course covering the subject areas of ADR 8.2 and have the option to then sit specialist courses in Tankers, Class 1 and Class 7.

Simpler route

The approved training programmes would be designed to fully support this structure. Additionally, such a less complex qualification structure might provide a more understandable scheme to employers and training providers, and a far simpler route to a VTC for drivers.

By involving all stakeholders in the first major review of the ADR scheme for many years we hope that our already close relationships with employers, approved training providers and other industry stakeholders will be extended further and help ensure the ADR qualification continues to meet the requirements of the users of the ADR qualification.

Further information on the review can be found on our website, www.sqa.org.uk/adr.
SQA would encourage all members of the lpg industry to participate in this review and record their views via the consultation document, available through the following address, by September 4 2008.

You can participate in the review via www.surveymonkey.com