The ExeL Podcast

Alison is our social media consultant at Training Wheelz and returns in this podcast episode to talk about her recently launched project. This gives you the opportunity to develop ypour own social media marketing at an affordable cost if you feel unable to hire a manager yo do this for you - or of you like the idea of doing this for yourself.

The link to Alison's course is https://alison-harper-s-school.teachable.com/p/boostyourbusinessonsocialmedia

There is a special offer if you sign up for the course by the end of August!

*Warning notice! This episode was quite a challenge to edit as the internet dropped several times during the recording so there are a few places where there is a bit of a gap between one of us speaking and the other replying. Hopefully it does not detract from the overall flow of the conversation.

In this episode I was joined by Natalie Warr who is the partnership manager for Vision Zero South West. We discuss the vision of reducing the numbers of people seriously injured or killed on the roads in the South West. The initial aim is to reduce these numbers by 50% by 2030 and eventually down to zero. 47 people were killed on the roads in Devon and Cornwall in 2022 and 741 seriously injured.

There is a wealth of information on their website https://visionzerosouthwest.co.uk/ covering a range of areas from motor cyclists, business and older drivers, horse riders, cyclists, pedestrians and learners.

Among the issues discussed is Operation Snap where dashcam evidence of poor driving can be submitted - the website is https://operationsnap.devon-cornwall.police.uk/

Natalie and I were due to be joined by two of her partnership colleagues from Devon and Somerset Fire service but the gremlins got in the way soo I am arranging to speak with them at a later date, probably in September.

Claire was one of our PDIs at Training Wheelz who (finally) qualified in June 2024 after almost two years. I am sure her story will resonate with many of you who are grappling with the process of becoming an ADI as well as being a remonder of how hard it was for many who are now qualified.

Claire used two unsuccessful part 3 tests as learning opportunities but she didn't stop there. As well as the Go Green support material we use in our training, she went out of hr way to get help elsewhere. For her, Phil Cowley and Diana Todd at Inspire Instructor Training and Ray Seagrave provided support that worked for her.

HRT - this was a first for me on the podcast! Claire knew something. wasn't right and went to her doctor regarding her anxiety and was prescribed HRT - it worked!

If ever anyone personifies the grit and determination to succeed it is Claire. She never sat back and waited for things to happen and now is enjoying her new career. I have. no doubt she will go on to greater things.

Every now and then you hear that a previous unheard episode of a radio or tv show has lain undiscovered for a long time - well I have realised that a recording from over 3 months ago has been dormant in my archives!

This recording was taken back at the start of March 2024 with two of our own PDIs at our driving school (Training Wheelz) and gives the background to how they made their training choice. They are both named Vicky (or Vicki)! One of them (Vicki) has the email address including gthe term 'madvic' but it is the other (Vicky) who is the real mad one out of them!

The initial recording suffered from mad Vicky using her phone and the first attempt suffering from none of us realising her contribution wasn't recording after she took a call on her phone! They both very kindly came back a few days later to complete the recording. Even so there were a few gremlins from mad Vicky's internet connection. I have edited out some of the gaps and interference but so hopefully the recording does run reasonably smoothly. My a;pologies idf there are still a couple of hiccups within the recording.

(Mad) Vicky was an ADI many years ago and started her training with us whereas Vicki started with a national company and fairly soon realised this was not really working for her. As her eldest daughter had learned with me I was delighted when she asked if she could complete her training with us.

I am delighted to say Vicki has since qualified - she will be giving her account of her Part 3 soon - it was fairly eventful with her learner having a complete meltdown on the test!

Lee and Mick from Knowledgeablee Instructor Training (K.I.T.) joined me to elaborate on their submission to the DVSA regarding the restoration of the Part 3 and Standards Check to the full pre-Covid 60 minutes.

How aware are you of the DVSA's document the National Standard For Driver and Rider Training? In particular:

Element 6.3.1: Create a climate that promotes learning

Element 6.3.2 Explain and demonstrate skills and techniques

Element 6.3.3 Coach

They reason that it is very difficult - if not impossible - for the DVSA examiners to assess all of these elements adequately within 40 minutes. Yet these are the very criteria that the DVSA wants us to work to achieve! As with any test-based assessment, people will generally 'teach to the test'.

So where is the opportunity for developing the deeper coaching questions, integrating elements of the GDE Matrix and generally exploring beliefs, opinions, fears and anything else that is clearly related to driving behaviour when the examiners are tapping you on the shoulder and asking you to get the car moving again when you stop for a couple of minutes to help your learner reflect on their performance?

Lee and Mick are NOT arguing for the return of the 10 minute briefing at the start of the Part 3 or Standards Check! They are looking to improve the quality of how we help learners become better, thinking, responsible drivers and, hence, improve road safety. Rather than me try and explain what they are asking for - inadequately - listen to what they have to say. Hopefully you will agree with them. If you do please add your weight to their submission and write to Loveday Ryder.

To find out more about all the courses and videos Lee and Mick have on offer visit their website - www.adikit.co.uk

Becky has made quite an impact since launching Empathetic Instructor Training. She has made it her aim to provide a safe space for PDIs and ADIs alike and she also has an impressive array of training courses available. Why not take a look at the web site - www.beckyseaton.co.uk

The sudden and tragic loss of Lou Walsh hit many people within the driver training industry very hard, none ,ore so of course than Lou's husband Blaine. Both Lou and Blaine, togtrher with Laura Morris, had been the architects of a totally new way of approaching driving instructor training and their Go Green course has proved extremely popular.

As in everything, time moves on and so it has proved with Go Green. The team have certainly not rested on what they had already achieved and the whole Go Green programme has received a makeover with several new elements added very recently.

Apart from the full Parts 1,2 and 3 training course there are now clourses available just concentrating on Part 3, a shorter Part3 rescue training course and one for ADIs looking to prepare for their Standards Check. And all of them are available on a monthly subscription as well as the option to pay for a lifetime membership.

Take a look at their website or Facebook page for more information https://www.gogreendrivinginstructortraining.co.uk/

Neil is the author of 'Untwisting the Road to Success'. This book is designed to help you with either your Part 3 test or Standards Check. It is full of extremely helpful advice and supporting videos which you can access via QR codes in the text.

Neil is a great advocate for CPD and, by his own admission, is a 'CPD junkie'. He is a member of the Institute of Master Tutors of Driving (IMTD).

If anyone is interested in the IMTD CPD sessions then please email Neil at [email protected] with the following information: Name, Email address, Postcode, Mobile number.

The sessions are held on the first Sunday morning each month from 10-11. The next one is on April 7th. You can find more general information about the IMTD on their website https://imtd.org.uk/

San Harper is an internationally renowned authority on the subject of mindfulness. It is a great privilege to have her as a guest on the podcast. In this episode we just dip our toes into the ocean of mindfulness. For those of you who find this topic either useful or interesting - hopefully both! - you can take this further as San is the creator of her own website www.thecalmside.com as well as a Facebook group The Guild of Mindful Driver Trainers. She hosts regular online courses and more details can be found on her website. San is also an approved driving instructor (ADI) and so is uniquely placed to impart her knowledge and experience to driving instructors.

There is a wealth of information within the episode. One reference San mentions is 'The Power of Now' by Eckhart Tolle which is available in hard copy and as an audio book.

San is a regular contributor to the KIT MAG, a great FREE resource of CPD to the driving instructor community.

Towards the end of the podcast San gives a tip to help with stressful situations S.T.O.P. You can read more about it here and in the links section:

https://www.themuse.com/advice/the-mental-trick-you-can-use-to-get-through-any-stressful-situation

Lee is one part of Knowledgeablee Instructor Training, who with Mick Knowles, is a partner with this award winning training company. You can find out more about their training options at https://www.adikit.co.uk/