Norbert Dentressangle's Barry Boreham is the UK's first tanker driver to be awarded a Petroleum Driver Passport (PDP) after successfully completing the new training scheme launched at the start of January 2014.
Based at Norbert Dentressangle's Thurrock distribution operation, Boreham, who has been with the company for 14-years, passed both the practical and full written assessments. All candidates taking the qualification are independently assessed by SQA, an accreditation body appointed to manage the scheme.
Norbert Dentressangle has fully supported the PDP scheme from the outset, with Ann Dawson, Managing Director of the Tanker division, sitting on the main Downstream Oil Distribution Forum (DODF) committee and Darragh McGrath, Health, Safety and Training Manager, part of the management committee. Early in the scheme's development, the company had representatives sitting on all elements of the development forums.
Ann Dawson commented: "Being involved in the PDP scheme from the start, with a strong belief this will help to deliver improved standards across the industry, I'm particularly delighted that Barry has lead the way by becoming the first, not only of our drivers but within the transport sector, to be awarded a PDP pass.
"We will continue to fully support the PDP scheme, through our dedicated training centre. For many years we have offered comprehensive ADR training to both internal and external candidates, and Barry's success underlines our commitment and demonstrates the high standards we work to."
Across its business, Norbert Dentressangle focuses on employee training, learning and development, running award-winning programmes and investing heavily in its internal Safe Driver Plan and Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) training, along with its PDP and ADR training.
The PDP scheme has been designed to give assurance to fuel terminal operators, customers and the wider public that all tanker drivers have a common core of tested knowledge and competence in the loading, driving and off-loading of fuel tankers. It operates to a five-year renewal cycle, in line with ADR, and annual refresher requirements that can be aligned to Driver CPC. The PDP consists of both classroom and practical elements.
Brian Worrall, DODF Independent Chair, said: "It's great to see Barry awarded the first driver passport. The scheme is now fully open for business and drivers can now work to obtain the PDP during 2014. I am particularly pleased that we have been able to integrate the PDP requirements with both ADR and with driver CPC, which is a great benefit to the industry."