In the third instalment of In Conversation with Lee Jowett, Terry and Lee take a hard, honest look at where the driving instructor industry actually is right now.

Lee opens by describing an industry at a crossroads: full of potential, but vulnerable if meaningful change doesn’t happen. While there are positives, particularly the mindset of newer instructors, there are also serious concerns about qualification processes, inconsistent training standards, and the absence of effective oversight.

Together, Terry and Lee explore:

1. Why the industry feels fragmented and inconsistent from top to bottom
2. How inadequate or outdated training models continue to slip through the cracks
3. How “trainer culture” and public posturing can undermine trust and development

There’s also balance. Both acknowledge:

1. The growing hunger for CPD among newly qualified instructors
2. The positive impact of industry events, conferences, and communities
3. The value of trainers who continue learning rather than resting on their reputation

Looking ahead, Lee reflects on what he’s proud of from 2025, particularly supporting other instructors to develop into thoughtful, credible trainers, echoing the role mentoring once played in his own career. He also shares cautious hopes (and real apprehensions) about what 2026 may bring if structural change continues to stall.

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