DHL Exel Supply Chain
Training of Driver Trainers, Industrial Training Centre
Zambia, November 2006
Alan Warnock and Adam Shearman traveled to Zambia to work with Transaid’s training partner, The Industrial Training Centre, conducting training of driver trainers as part of Transaid’s programme to develop commercial driving standards in Southern Africa to improve trade and livelihoods opportunities and reduce road injuries and deaths. Drivers from BP, the Zambian Electricity Supply Corporation, Medical Stores Centre, the ITC, Capital Buses and the Galaxy Driving School attended and Alan writes about his and Adam’s experience . . .
Day 1 - Arrive at Lusaka Airport early on Saturday morning after an overnight flight from London. Finally get to meet Gary Forster, Transaid’s Southern Africa Project Co-ordinator, who we had been corresponding with by email in preparation for the assignment, and also Lloyd Mbasela, Marketing Manager from the Industrial Training Centre, Transaid’s Zambian partner organisation where we are going to be based. We drop our bags at the hotel and go to ITC to meet a few of the people working there – the first thing that strikes me is how friendly everyone is. On the way back to the hotel I was amazed at the amount of street vendors selling wares off boards at traffic lights and junctions and also just what you could buy – everything you could think of including live ducks!!! In the evening Gary took us to a couple of local bars where we noticed one of Zambia’s main problems – drunk driving. One man could hardly stand but got into his car and drove away along with two friends.
Day 2 – Spent the day at ITC preparing the training sessions for the following fortnight. Adam and I took the training unit out for a test drive and checked it out for roadworthiness – we noticed the trailer had three bald tyres and the brakelights not working.
Day 3 – It was an early start at 8am. Only nine of the twelve students turned up but it was a pleasant surprise to see how eager they were to learn. I took the smaller of the two groups, who were wagon drivers (not all the drivers were currently driving heavy goods vehicles).
Day 4 – Finally took the students onto the road in the truck to teach hazard awareness. It gave Adam and me a chance to see first hand what it was like to drive in Lusaka. The standard of the roads leave a lot to be desired. The main roads have no markings or street lights and unmarked speed bumps. The side roads are just dirty tracks with huge pot holes that fill with water after rain. Suddenly the M6 at rush hour looks inviting!
Day 5 – Started practical driver assessments. We explained the assessment sheets and went out onto the road. We chose a volunteer for the wagon and the car, then on return to the ITC we relayed our findings to the class. We couldn’t use the classroom as there was a power cut that lasted all day. As we discussed our findings we were reminded of the differences between Zambian and UK law. A main point was pedestrian crossings. They had no markings as the paint wears off after a few days and they are not respected by either drivers of pedestrians (who don’t trust the cars to stop!).
Day 6 – Still no power so it was straight onto the road. Whilst talking to the students drink driving emerged again as a serious problem. I found out that it is not unknown for a bus driver to drink a lot at lunch then go back to work in the afternoon. It is worse at night when there are no street lights. Late afternoon we went to watch a kids football team, Transaid FC, who Gary has been coaching. We had brought out some T-shirts for them and enjoyed a good match that the team won 2-0. I ended up reffing the second half (which was not why then won!). The match was played on a pitch of dirt and stones and most of the team wore no shoes.
Day 7 – We started the day with tests, then had feedback recording the assessments. In the afternoon we explained basic driving skills and parts of the Highway Code applicable to Zambia.
Day 8-9 – What a weekend! Adam and I traveled with Gary to Livingstone and Victoria Falls. After a 5½ hour drive to Livingstone we booked into Jollyboys, a backpackers hostel. Vic Falls was at low level due to the rains being late, so we were able to walk over the top of the falls, leaning over (carefully!) to see directly down the cliffs. The view was stunning. In the evening we went on a cruise down the Zambezi to see the sun set, hippos yawning in the water, crocs and lots of birds. On Sunday we went white water rafting down the Zambezi, then drove back to Lusaka so Gary could watch his beloved Chelsea draw with Man Utd. The memories will stay with me forever.
Day 10 – Started the second week with a big vehicle check test. Us instructors cheated slightly by sabotaging the truck with ten major faults and we were glad that the students found most of them. The rest of the day was spent in the classroom with Gary teaching “Training the Trainers”.
Day 11 – Today was totally about SAFED (the UK Department of Transport’s Safe and Fuel Efficient Driving programme, which both Adam and I are trained in.) We went through the theory then out onto the road with us doing the driving. In the afternoon the students put into practice what they’ve been taught and all did well. This was followed by a written test and a safe driving test.
Day 12 – Today we finished up the driving assessments and compared the first against the second to make sure the students had taken the points from the first drive seriously and I was glad to see that all of them had improved. Gary ran a session on how to run a training course and then we left the students alone so they could discuss among themselves our performance. I am pleased to say they were very happy with everything we had taught them but did think that, in future, other instructors should have someknowledge of Zambian traffic law and the civil service should be invited to attend the course.
Day 13 – The last day of the course. The students had a huge test which encompassed all the various sections of the course. It was very gratifying that every student got over 92%, with a third getting 100%. After lunch there was a closing ceremony with speeches by the director of ITC and Gary. Members of the press also attended and interviewed Adam and myself. The students were looking forward to going back to their companies and training their fellow drivers.
I’d like to finish with a personal note. Zambia is a beautiful country which would benefit hugely if the infrastructure and associated skills could be raised to a higher level. I feel privileged to have been allowed this small glimpse of life in Zambia and hope one day to return.
