UK Transport Awards 2021

12 | Transport Awards 2021 Mar21157 Most Client Focused Driver Training Company – Midlands Established in 2008, Y2 Learn Driver Training is a driving school located in Hinckley, Leicestershire which aims to provide the very best driver training in a safe, comfortable environment, supporting clients from the beginning of their driving journey right through to post-test. Y2 Learn Driver Training teaches, coaches, and instructs drivers including learners and full licence holders, whether they are looking for starter or refresher lessons, or are seeking training to progress to become advanced driving instructors or taxi drivers. The driving school prides itself on not letting its students just feel like a number; everyone is made to feel valued, supported and confident throughout, giving them the best chance of achieving. With its priority being its delivery and by working training around the national standards for driver and rider training, Y2 Learn Driver Training always ensures that it is providing up-to-date and correct driver industry information. It focuses on the GDE (Goals for Driver Education) framework to make sure clients become the best drivers they can be. The way the school’s instructors use the GDE within driver training is through presenting a scenario, for example, telling the student to imagine they were having an interview and consider the steps to be taken to ensure that it runs smoothly. This makes it easier for them to relate to. Not only does the school offer student driving, but it also conducts fleet training for companies who want their drivers to be better prepared, safer and more fuel-efficient through in-car training. Alongside this, it offers online training with road safety presentations and NDORS (National Driver Offender Retraining Scheme) training which includes topics such as speed awareness. Road safety is a major passion of Y2 Learn Driver Training and business owner and grade A ORDIT registered instructor, Neil Wightman started his career as a firefighter, during which he attended various road collisions and decided that he wanted to use his driving tuition to help implement better driving. By being the business owner, he passes his vision on and feels lucky to have colleagues who feel the same, which makes sharing this passion with students easier. The company is constantly working to better itself, the training it provides and hopes that this culture of safe driving stays with its clients. Recruitment of staff for Y2 Learn Driver Training is based on both their experience and qualifications, as well as their potential and ability to deliver the best training possible. Neil trains his staff himself, meaning he has built up great relationships with them. By training them, he has seen them progress and worked with them to see and understand their passion for driving. He believes in his staff and continually works with them to help them become the best instructors they can be and represent the company, whilst ensuring that clients receive the best training. The driver training sector has been greatly affected by the pandemic, as training and testing was put on hold. As a company, Y2 Learner Driver Training worked to overcome these challenges by using social media platforms to keep clients engaged with a positive outlook, even with a backlog of learners waiting longer to take tests. As a result, the school moved its training online to Zoom, hosting virtual lessons and free interactive theory training sessions, along with online talks discussing road safety to help clients still revise and prepare for tests. The company’s aim throughout all the challenges was to keep its clients supported, motivated and interested even though they were not able to attend road training sessions in person. Neil plans to grow the business and has set a five-year goal with plans for at least 20 cars on the road; by adding more experienced and qualified instructors to the team, the driving school will be able to expand and continue delivering the best service and training to clients. Neil would also love to become an ambassador for road safety, which would allow him to express his passion and support other driving instructors on a wider reach. Company: Y2 Learn Driver Training Contact: Neil Wightman Website: https://y2learndrivertraining.co.uk/ The driving school prides itself on not letting its students just feel like a number; everyone is made to feel valued, supported and confident throughout, giving them the best chance of achieving.