During 2008, Skills for Logistics ran a series of workshops across the UK and sought the views and opinions of employers and training experts about updating the National Occupational Standards (NOS) for lorry drivers. These standards first developed in 2002, are the basis for the current DVG National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) and Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs) that are used by many employers.
From those workshops, a revised set of standards have been produced.
Those of you that are familiar with the current NOS will probably comment that they aren't very different. This is because the workshops concluded that the existing NOS have proved a sound basis for assessing the core knowledge and skills of an LGV driver in the 'real world' and that the basic knowledge and competence required to drive an LGV has changed little in the past five years.
The main change has been to simplify the standards, removing some duplication and making the language simpler - so while they cover the same knowledge and skills, the units are shorter and better focused.
The standards now also provide a direct reference to the
Professional Development Stairway for Logistics and to the key and core skills used in Apprenticeship programmes. This is helpful guidance for both employers and training experts.
We would like to thank those who provided their views on the new standards.
View / Download DGV NOS
These new Occupational Standards will provide the basis for a new set of qualifications for Lorry Drivers. In Scotland, the SVQ will be revised, while in England, Wales and Northern Ireland the NVQ system is being replaced by new-style qualifications as part of the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF). The QCF involves the development of a series of 'QCF units' which are based on the NOS. Each unit is assigned an individual level (similar to the current S/NVQ level) and the units combined to form qualifications at different levels and of different size.
In creating a QCF qualification we can combine any approved QCF units. This will allow us to address the main criticism made in the workshops regarding the current NOS and therefore the current DVG ' NVQ and SVQ. This was that the existing NOS suite has a narrow focus on the technical aspects of driving and lacks units covering other skills often needed by drivers.
These include customer service, handling of particular goods requiring special care/procedures, use of specialised equipment, driving tasks in specific sub-sectors such as the removals sector. In particular the workshops suggested that as many of the units in the CDG NOS (and thus the NVQ/SVQ) cover those additional duties and skills, the best solution is that we develop new QCF and SVQ qualifications that draw on the appropriate units from both the DGV and CDG occupational standards.
At present, the skills of drivers are assessed and certificated through two level 2 N/SVQs - DGV and CDG and by a single level 3, DGV. Each qualification is relatively simple with only a few optional units. This means that the qualifications are straight forward and each candidate achieves an almost identical qualification. The QCF in particular will allow a more tailored approach to be adopted - allowing different driving roles, or driving duties in specialist sub-sectors to be captured in the qualification. This will be done by using the DGV and CDG NOS and using other QCF units dealing with either specialist technical skills or other workplace skills such as customer service.
So, to provide a 'core' driving qualification we will identity a combination of units that meets the needs of a non-specialist driver driving mainstream vehicles - be it a van or a lorry - and following routeing instructions given by their transport manager. In effect a replacement for the DGV and CDG S/NVQs. Alongside this core we will be able to develop specialist qualifications that use units representing those specialist skills and knowledge.
Like the DGV NOS, the Carry and Deliver Goods NOS have been reviewed. We have completed a series of workshops across the UK, with employers and training experts who helped review the DGV NOS.
Download the current CDG NOS
