Transport Training Services Adds Evening Courses to Timetable
In response to customer demand, Transport Training Services (TTS) has added a range of training courses to a new evening timetable at its Nutts Corner training centre.
Initially these courses will include IMI accredited training on electric/hybrid vehicles and automotive refrigerant handling (FGas), both of which are for qualified vehicle technicians. It is expected that other courses will be added later in the year, to offer a greater level of flexibility for employers and self-funding career-driven individuals.
The new schedule will commence in early March. Find dates at the following links:
IMI Level 3 Award Automotive Refrigerant Handling Course
IMI Level 3 & Level 4 Award Electric/Hybrid Vehicle Upskill Training
Driver CPC is also available on Saturdays.
TTS is committed to supporting the transport industry in filling skills gaps that have arisen from new vehicle technology and the drive to transition to zero emission vehicles.
The social enterprise has recently expanded its team of technical trainers in order to develop its training schedule and to bring additional specialist skills to the organisation.
To book, please contact us on mail@transporttraining.org or call 028 9082 5653.
TTS to Host 2023 Apprenticeship Open Day
TTS is holding an Open Day on Tuesday 7th February 2023 as part of its Northern Ireland Apprenticeship Week activities.
Attendees will find out about the range of apprenticeships and career opportunities available within the motor vehicle, transport & logistics sectors across Northern Ireland.
Any school leaver / young person, parent/guardian, teacher/careers advisor is welcome to attend, as well as any company that currently employs apprentices or would like to find out about employing apprentices.
The Open Day will provide an opportunity for those interested in learning about apprenticeships in motor, transport and logistics to visit to our purpose-built training campus to speak to our Careers and Technical Training Teams, participate in activities, engage with employers, and register as an applicant.
Registration to attend this event is advised.
To find out more about this event or to register to attend please click here.
TTS Secures its Position as Market Leader for Automotive & Transport Sector Apprenticeships with 'TTS100'
TTS Wins Customer Service Excellence Award at Transport Industry Event
Transport Training Services (TTS) has been recognised for its customer support at the annual Export & Freight Transport & Logistics Awards. In an exceptionally well subscribed category, TTS won the ‘Excellence in Customer Service' award, sponsored by Close Brothers Commercial Finance.
The awards judges said TTS was a clear winner ‘demonstrating that a social enterprise can excel in customer satisfaction and sustain growth whilst also achieving social and community impact.’
TTS was presented with the award at a glittering ceremony at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in South Belfast, an event attended by almost 600 guests from all sectors of the transport and logistics industry and compered by BBC NI News presenter Sarah Travers and Actor and Comedian Tim McGarry.
Organised by the Hillsborough based publishers of Export & Freight magazine, 4SM (NI) Ltd, the event, returning after a two year absence because of the Covid-19 pandemic, is Ireland’s premier platform of recognition for those operating in the industry; it celebrates all the hard work, determination, and ongoing investment that make the industry what it is today.
TTS regularly surveys its customers (apprentices and professional development clients) on a range of topics including quality of teaching, teaching methods, facilities and support received, and across the board respondents are highly satisfied.
TTS Driver Training Competition Winner Passes Test!
In recognition of the need to get new drivers into the sector, we recently gave away a free driver training course to support one lucky winner to get qualified and start a new career. To enter the competition, entrants had to comment on a TTS Facebook post, telling us why they should win.
We are very pleased to announce that Rozelle Mulligan, who won the competition, has successfully achieved a Category C (Class 2) licence and passed Module 4 CPC.
The judges for the competition felt that Rozelle was a worthy winner because she "made a real effort in attending the Women in Wheels NI event and spoke with emotion and a drive to succeed".
Congratulations to Rozelle and we wish her all the best for the future!
Win a Free Driver Training Course!
In recognition of the need to get new drivers into the sector, Transport Training Board for NI is giving away a FREE driver training course to support one lucky winner to get qualified and start a new career.
To be in with a chance of winning, click here to visit our Facebook page. All you need to do is:
- Like the competition post
- Like or follow our Facebook page
- Comment below the post telling us why you should win
The winner will receive a free driver training course of their choice (truck or bus). ALL other competition entrants will be eligible for a £100 discount on a driver training course with TTS.
The competition closes on 18th July at 5PM.
Terms and conditions can be found at: https://www.transporttraining.org/competitiontc/
Good luck!
TTS Seeking Employers & Apprentices for New Supply Chain Management Apprenticeship
Transport Training Services has added a specialist Supply Chain Management Apprenticeship to its growing range of programmes. The course has been designed to develop the next generation of logistics industry professionals.
The apprenticeship, aimed at 16- to 24-year-olds (stipulated by the Department for the Economy ApprenticeshipsNI scheme), provides the skills and competence required to manage a production process from beginning to end - from purchasing raw materials to the delivery of the final product.
This training course, like all TTS programmes, requires the student to have a relevant job so that all learning at TTS can be put into practice in the workplace.
TTS currently has some interested candidates for the course (who already have employers ready to take them on), but the course needs a minimum number to go ahead in September.
If you are an employer in the logistics or manufacturing sector interested in training its future supply chain managers, or you are a young person looking for a new career opportunity, please get in touch with Robert Deignan on 07736 958355 or robertd@transporttraining.org. Companies that have existing employees aged between 16 and 24 who are looking to upskill are also eligible for this course.
To find out more about this Apprenticeship, please click here.
Free Heavy Vehicle Driver Preparation Programme Delivered by TTS
Set yourself up for success in your heavy vehicle driver training by attending a FREE one-week course at Transport Training Services.
This programme, which is funded by Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council, and delivered by TTS, is aimed at anyone interested in becoming a truck or bus driver.
- Preparation for the theory, hazard perception and case study tests (all required before getting behind the wheel of a lorry or bus)
- Learn about safe and fuel-efficient driving
- Gain an insight into route planning
- Learn about correct vehicle loading and unloading
- Find out how to prepare the vehicle for use
- Get help with arranging the required medical examination
To be eligible to participate in this programme, you must be a resident of Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council, be over the age of 18 and hold a full driving licence for a car.
Date options are as follows:
Group 1 - 9th May
Group 2 - 13th June
Limited places are available!
To book, call us on 028 9082 5653 or email us at mail@transporttraining.org.
‘Women in Wheels NI’ Event Demonstrates Demand for Automotive & Transport Careers by Women
Transport Training Services hosted the first ever Women in Wheels NI event on Sunday 6th March to coincide with International Women’s Day.
The event called Women Driving Change, which was kindly sponsored by Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council, offered females of all ages from across Northern Ireland the opportunity to find out about the wide range of career opportunities in the automotive and transport/logistics sectors.
Participants took part in interactive activities, including getting behind the wheel of a truck or bus and getting hands-on with vehicle maintenance demonstrations. The event also had speakers from a broad cross-section of the motor and transport sectors, from truck and bus drivers, vehicle technicians, fleet and transport managers, female business owners and many more. A range of employers were also there to talk about live job opportunities on the day, including Woodside Logistics Group, Translink, Bryson Recycling, Northern Ireland Fire & Rescue Service, DHL Supply Chain, Manpower, Mercedes-Benz Truck & Van, and Donnelly Group.
With more than 120 people through the doors at TTS and 72 getting behind the wheel of a truck or bus, the event was a huge success. As well as practical activities such as vehicle technician demonstrations and vehicle paint technician displays, a range of panel discussions, hosted by Pamela Dennison, ran throughout the day with speakers from a broad cross-section of the sectors being promoted.
In addition to Automotive, Transport & Logistics and HGV Driver panels, a Compliance and Fleet Management panel gave attendees the chance to find out about career possibilities that may be lesser known roles to anyone outside of the industry.
Siofra McClure, Recruitment Co-Ordinator at Woodside Logistics Group had this to say:
“At Woodside Logistics Group, our aim is to continue to build an inclusive culture where all our staff feel welcome and valued. We recognise there is a need to encourage more women into the transport and logistics industry and we are proud to work with partners like Women in Wheels NI to show the opportunities we have for women interested in a career in logistics and build on the progress we have already made.
We were delighted to be a partner at the inaugural Women Driving Change event at the Transport Training Services on Sunday 6th March. The event was a huge success and really highlighted not only the opportunities available for women in the industry but the amount of women in Northern Ireland who want to break down the barriers and start a career in logistics. We are excited to continue our work to drive inclusion and we look forward to working with our colleagues in the industry to provide more opportunities for women.”
Fiona Gallery, HR Officer at Donnelly Group added: “Thank you for such an inspiring day! It was great to meet so many passionate women who are interested in a career the automotive industry. Donnelly Group are very proud to support and work in partnership with such a fantastic event.”
One participant, Zoe McVey, said: “Thank you so much for today. It was so interesting. I really enjoyed the practical aspect too. I am definitely going to do my HGV training. Thanks for helping me decide!”
Another, Stephanie Blain, added: “Great day all round. It has totally inspired me! I have plenty of homework and reading to do…Hopefully I’ll be going forward into the future for something that really interests me.”
And Alex Jay, had this to say: “Absolutely class!...I've been struggling a lot lately and today was such an amazing experience. I’m still smiling from my drive in the fire engine! So many lovely people sharing their experiences in various careers has really given me inspiration. Thank you so much to everyone who spent time chatting with me.”
Other comment included: “a new career beckons” and “change of career direction I think”.
With less than 2% of vehicle technicians and large goods vehicle drivers in NI, and just 14% of all UK logistics workers being female, the organisations involved in this event are committed to attracting more women into a range of historically male-dominated careers.
Michael Strain, CEO of TTS, commented: “I have no doubt that many of the women in attendance will go on to take up careers in automotive or transport, having seen the response on the day and the very positive feedback that we have received since. We couldn’t have been more pleased to see the fantastic turn out at the first ever Women in Wheels NI event.”
TTS runs a Facebook Group (www.facebook.com/groups/womeninwheelsni) which now has more than 340 members, a combination of automotive and transport industry professionals and women interested in careers in these sectors.
Due to the success of this inaugural Women in Wheels NI event, TTS hopes to run another one later in the year.
TTS To Host Women Driving Change Event
- Have a go at truck or bus driving in a safe environment
- Take part in interactive vehicle workshop activities and demonstrations
- Speak to and hear from females working in automotive, transport and logistics
- Speak to employers in automotive, transport and logistics about career opportunities with them
- Translink
- NI Fire & Rescue Service
- Bryson Recycling
- Woodside Logistics Group
- Antrim & Newtownabbey Borough Council