Summary
Transaid are working in Lusaka, Zambia to develop professional driver training standards. Transaid has been working with the Industrial Training Centre (ITC) in Lusaka since 2002 and on Tuesday 19th August 2008 this partnership entered an exciting new phase through a formal agreement to significantly develop the training facility. Transaid and the ITC have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to define the ways of working together and ensuring the success and sustainability of this project.
The objective of the project is to reduce the number of road crashes in Zambia, which is the third cause of death after HIV/Aids and Malaria. This will be achieved through building the capacity of the existing training centre and introducing internationally recognised standards for professional driver training. Best practice will be shared from the European transport industry and standards set through working closely with the truck operators in Zambia to address the real shortage of professional HGV drivers in Zambia.
This project is supported by Transaid's UK Industry supporters who are supplying vehicles and technical expertise to the project. Supporters include MAN Truck and Bus, Wincanton, Michelin, CEVA, Bibby, Britcom, Hoyer, Stagecoach and CILT.
Les Warneford, Managing Director of Stagecoach UK Bus, said: "We are delighted to support Transaid's plans to establish a driver training institute in Zambia. For many years Stagecoach operated lifeline bus services in Africa and we know the challenges faced there on the ground in delivering a safe, efficient and affordable operation. High quality transport is also central to so many parts of the economy.
"Stagecoach has nearly three decades of experience in delivering high-quality transport across many continents. We invest hundreds of thousands of pounds each year on a comprehensive training package for our drivers here in the UK. As well as providing financial support towards the cost of training materials, we are delighted to have the opportunity for members of our team to be seconded to the Transaid project in Zambia to pass on their knowledge to local people."
