Transport Operations and Commercial Driving Apprentice

Transport Operations and Commercial Driving L6 Do you enjoy driving and are you reliable? If this sounds like you the Transport Operations and Commercial Driving apprenticeship could what you’re looking for.

The Transport Operations & Commercial Driving Apprenticeship allows for entry into the Freight Distribution and haulage Sector, with a broad exposure to day to day operations.

Apprentices are employed by a Business for the duration of the Programme (2 years) and will earn as they learn! As part of this full-time employment, Apprentices are released one day per week during College (26 weeks per annum) to attend Lectures in ATU Sligo.

Typical tasks/responsibilities • Understand the rules of the road and the principles of driving safely • Be competent in the day-to-day driver/driving activities such as management of working time and tachographs, safe and secure loading, on road activities • Understand the mechanics of a vehicle and proposed future technologies • Ability to work and drive a rigid and/or articulated vehicles • Be competent in the processing and management of paperwork and administrative duties • Create a safe working environment for yourself and other employees by adhering to safety measures to prevent accident and complications that may arise during work • Understanding driving for work risk

On successful completion of the proposed apprenticeship, a person in the occupation of Commercial Driver will have the following knowledge, skills and competencies: Core tasks/responsibilities of a professional driver: • Safe and secure loading • Weight management • Tachograph and working time • Competent and safe driving • Well versed in the regulatory requirements for national and international transport • Understand the importance of good customer care • Have analytical and systems knowledge to enable effective discharge of duties • Understand the principle of safe driving for work • Have a good understanding of the supply chain and the importance role of the distribution sector Knowledge • Understanding of the supply chain with particular focus on distribution of goods by road • Understanding the mechanics of vehicles and the regulations and requirements to have a commercial vehicle roadworthy at all times • Being aware of the technological advancements and the development of telematics systems Knowledge continued • Being a competent professional driver attaining the full commercial licence and driver CPC qualification • Understanding the importance of customer service for distribution & logistics and implementing its effective management • Management (communications, accounting, planning) • Information systems in a logistics context, the essentials in the use of ICT and as applied in the logistics industry and focused on data collection, exchanging and manipulation; e-business and e-commerce in the world-wide-web • Understanding the competencies required in national & international trade & customs environment. Review the role and function of customs in an era of international trade, globalisation, EU single market and Brexit • Understanding the legislation governing the operation of a commercial transport business including the roles of the key enforcement authorities such as An Garda Siochana, Health and Safety Authority and the Road Safety Authority Skills

• Ability to drive safely and competently • Ability to understand the weight distribution requirements of a load • Ability to safely secure the cargo to the trailer of varying types: flatbeds, curtainsiders, box bodies etc. • Understand the basics of ECO driver training and improving fuel efficiencies • Ability to work as part of a team • Ability to carry out a ‘driver walk around’ check of the vehicle in a competent manner • Communication skills and ability to work constructively with colleagues and clients • Understanding what actions to take in event of emergency situations such as tyre blow out, breakdown on a motorway or being involved in an accident • Recognise the advantages & disadvantages that alternative distribution/ warehousing configurations can provide • Ability to develop a range of technical approaches