CONTEXT Recently the European Union approved amendments to the Directive 2003/59/EC on the initial qualification and periodic training of drivers resulting in a new Directive 2018/645. Prior to the legislative process an impact evaluation study was carried out on behalf of the European Commission. The results of the study were, however, inconclusive, and this for two reasons. First, the study was carried out too soon in the implementation process, making it very hard to lay out effects. Second, the design of the study was to theoretical and focused on the macro-level, prohibiting a thorough understanding of the reality on the ground. This is unfortunate since both training institutes and lawmakers (at European and national level) would benefit from information on the impact and effectiveness of the training programs that are put in place. After all, such information is indispensable for improving the quality of the legal framework on the one hand and the courses and training methodologies used on the other. AIM OF THE PROJECT With this project we want to evaluate the impact and effectiveness of the periodic training programs of drivers. In other words, we want to assess to what extend the investment in training does or does not result in observable behavioral changes in the job (=transfer of training). Additionally, we want to find out what characteristics of the current situation stimulate of prevent this transfer of training to day-to-day reality and what can be done to improve the transfer. We therefore want to select key indicators measuring impact at four levels: 1. Training: does the training run smoothly and according to the wishes and expectations of trainees, trainers, institutes and law-makers? 2. Skills: have the trainees acquired additional skills and or knowledge? 3. Job: is there behavioral change on the job? 4. Objectives: is what happens on the ground in line with high-level objectives of law-makers and/or the transport sector? Additionally to measuring impact, we want to assess the didactical principals used, the attitude of trainees and trainers, and the circumstances on the job that prevent or stimulate transfer of training. Deliverables of the project should be: - A valuated impact assessment methodology for the periodic training of drivers programs. - A national report for every participating institutions with actionable findings allowing both lawmakers and training institutes to improve upon the current situation and to reach the goals mentioned in the directive (traffic safety, sustainability). - A Europe-wide report to improve the situation at European level and attain the goals mentioned in the directive (traffic safety, sustainability)
The central focus of the project was to develop and implement a methodology for evaluating training programs for professional bus- and lorry drivers in Europe. The evaluation process made information from the field was flowing back to policy makers, program and course developers, trainers and employers. In this way a feedback loop was created that contributed to a continuous improvement of the mandatory periodic training. The information gathered through the evaluation (via the methodology) was finally translated into actionable recommendations that informs policy makers, training institutes and trainers, to make choices on how to invest in the training programs and how to increase the quality and efficiency of the training provided.
European Directive 2003/59 introduced professional competence for professional drivers in the road passenger and goods transport sector. As a result, bus drivers since September 2008 and truck drivers since September 2009 must first acquire initial professional competence. They must then undergo at least 35 hours of approved periodic training over a period of five years through a system of periodic training, which allows them to extend their professional competence by five years each time. This recognised periodic training obviously requires an investment from the sector. . However, the return on investment of this investment is not always clear to stakeholders. In 2018, the Guideline was reviewed and updated. This was done at a time when the effects of periodic training could not yet be sufficiently measured. In addition, the revision was also carried out on the basis of an earlier theoretical study commissioned by the European Commission The study rather focused on the marco-level and was therefore far from the reality on the ground.A measurement on the field of the impact of the periodic training is needed to improve the effectiveness of this training.