IN PROFILE
WWW.EXPORTANDFREIGHT.COM
TRANSPORT TRAINING SERVICES:
INVESTING IN THE FUTURE WITH NEW COURSES AND NEW INITIATIVES Transport Training Services has taken another leap forward with the expansion of its team of highly experienced managers, coupled with new courses, new initiatives and a new focus on enhancing and refining its already impressive and essential service to the transport industry. When Martin Hutchinson took over as Chief Executive Officer in 2016 he immediately set about transforming the organisation by strengthening the team, and that transformation continues apace.
apprentice technicians are with the main manufacturers in the sector – Volvo, Iveco, DAF, Scania and Renault – with the remainder employed by smaller independent operators.
Record Apprentices
Today, the expanding team at TTS has never been stronger or more diverse in the training it is providing across all sectors of the industry, offering applicants and local businesses a range of apprenticeships to meet their recruitment and training needs as well as offering exciting career paths for school leavers and young adults. “With an enlarged team in place we are better equipped to fully engage with the industry to identify and address specific needs and requirements,” says Martin. Supported by the Transport Training Board, the registered charity that own TTS, the organisation’s portfolio currently includes Driver Training, Driver CPC, ADR Dangerous Goods, Light & Heavy Vehicle Repair, Auto Electrical Repair, Tyre Specialist, Air Con Training, Motorcycle Repair, Body Repair, Vehicle Refinishing, Parts Advisor and Service Advisor. Training provision is continually expanding and adjusting to industry needs. Conveniently and centrally located at
TTS Light Vehicle Technician apprentices.
Nutts Corner in County Antrim, the TTS site presently includes easy parking, a fenced vehicle compound, reception / waiting area, apprentice locker facilities, a dining area, meeting and training rooms, a 180 seater conference room and three well equipped state of the art training workshops –and there is plenty of potential for further expansion as and when the need arises. The training at TTS is a blend of workshop, e-learning and classroom activities and is mainly delivered on a block-release basis, in line with all manufacturer apprenticeships; more than two-thirds of the new heavy vehicle
Exceeding its recruitment targets in 2018, TTS recruited and job-matched 85 young technical apprentices, representing a threefold increase since 2015 and brings the total number of apprentices training at TTS to over 250. All new recruits are employed apprentices under the ApprenticeshipsNI programme, working in a variety of exciting and challenging job roles within the transport and motor industries. “More and more people are coming through our training facilities here and that trend looks set to continue into the future,” says Martin, “which is why we are investing more than £100,000 to ensure we can meet those needs.” That investment includes a state-of-the-art Driver Training simulator, especially useful for those with limited commercial driving experience but who want to progress. An additional computer suite has also been installed as e-learning becomes more and more relevant, and more heavy vehicle workshop equipment has been acquired to further improve its HGV training facilities.
Martin Hutchinson, Chief Executive Officer
MEET SOME OF THE
TEAM STAY INFORMED: You can keep up with all the latest developments at TTS by logging on to their website at www.transport-training.com
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Martin is no stranger to the industry, having four decades of experience in a variety of training roles in the retail motor industry and as a Retail Motor Industry Sector Skills representative. Within these roles Martin has gained a unique insight into the needs of transport, logistics and retail motor employers and managers in Northern Ireland – and he has followed in the footsteps of his late father Harold Hutchinson, a founder of the forerunner of TTS, the Road Transport Industry Training Board (RTITB).
Stephen Wilkinson, Training Director With 24 years’ experience as an educator and trainer, Stephen is responsible for organising, coordinating and streamlining the daily activities of the 17-strong team of full time and part time trainers, covering commercial and private vehicles, and all things technical.
