Smets is much in favour of life-long learning. Fifteen drivers from his 95 Scania truck fleet have already completed Scania driver training.“Working with modern technology is great, but you have to learn how to use it at its best,” Smets explains.

“We do also look at other characteristics,” he continues. “First we select drivers we know will be open to suggestions; people who can pass on the message to their colleagues. You need opinion leaders, because, no disrespect intended, drivers are quite conservative and only take things on board from professionals that they respect.”

“In everyday practice, for me a fuel saving of 3 to 4 percent is excellent,” Smets says. “Just do the sums. Every month our company fills up 300,000 litres of diesel. A fuel saving of 3 to 4 percent represents 9,000 to 12,000 litres a month – a good enough reason to have our drivers take further training."

 
Herman Smets.

Greater demand for Scania training courses

More and more trucking companies worldwide are seeing that it pays to have well-trained drivers,” says Daniel Henriksson, who is in charge of developing Scania’s driver training courses.

What does haulier firms and bus operators gain?
“Investments in driver training pay back quickly, usually already after about a week. Fewer accidents and lower carbon dioxide emissions are among the gains to humanity. Lower repair costs, lower insurance premiums and better fuel economy are among the economic gains.”

“Fuel economy normally improves by 10 to 15 percent. For a truck that is driven 200,000 kilometres per year, that means an annual saving of at least 7,000 euros - and a 19-tonne reduction in carbon dioxide emissions.”

How large are Scania’s driver training operations?
“During 2007 nearly 10,000 drivers around the world received training from Scania. To meet growing demand and to guarantee high, uniform quality, we launched a common global platform in 2007 for our driver training courses.”

What does the training include?
“There is a common basic package, with theory, motion graphics and illustrations that alternate with hands-on practice. The training course also meets the European Union requirement that all bus and truck drivers must undergo at least 35 hours of advanced training every five years, starting in 2008 and 2009, respectively.”

What are the advantages of having a common training platform?
“Regardless of whether a driver takes our course in, for example, Poland, Portugal or Germany, the quality will be the same. For a large trucking company with employees in a number of countries, that is a major advantage.”