We applied for ISO9001 to give our customers confidence in our quality management, systems and good practices. Auditors found that the written policies and practices were already at a high and acceptable standard and the DVQI reinforced this through the accreditation process.

From its early years, ATC always believed that a company was nothing without its people and, to this end, valued their contribution in making it one of the most successful risk management companies in the country. At ATC safety always comes first but quality and consistency of communication was found to be excellent in the evaluation process in achieving this award.

With the growth of advanced driver development, the Driving Standard Agency formalised a professional qualification to fulfil the needs of driver education to commerce and industry. The DSA found ATC to have a unique approach to training in the Industry; one of the few organisations whose methods of driver training have been assessed and accredited to this standard.

Fuel efficiency is fast becoming high on the agenda for a lot of companies. Our SAFED qualified instructors will look at developing the driver's awareness of fuel efficient driving techniques. In this day, companies find it difficult spending money on training due to logistics and the high turnover of their staff. The SAFED programme enables us to prove to the client that not only can the proper training be self funding, but will enable savings year upon year.

By learning these techniques, drivers are playing a vital role in cutting CO₂ emissions. They are helping tackle climate change, saving money and improving safety without impacting on customer delivery times.

To underpin our quality approach we have designed a Quality Management System to cover the key processes of our training delivery. This QM System ensures that our services:

• Meet customer requirements
• Provide consistency in high quality training delivery and administration
• Are continuously reviewed and developed to achieve and maintain the highest standards

All these systems were further enhanced by the successful achievement of IS9000, Investors in People and being a Driving Standard Agency Fleet Accredited Company.

See above for further information.

We achieve this through:

1. Training solutions tailored to meet the needs of the client and its employees
2. Highly skilled and trained instructors
3. Instructors briefings and reviews
4. Client liaison
5. Excellent administration and back-up
6. Quality procedures

1. Courses tailored to meet the needs of the client and its employees

On being awarded a contract, we profile the organisation with regards to incident data, i.e. Where? When? Who? etc. This, along with information on the delegates' roles and driving activities, enables us to structure our courses so that we identify the development needs which will achieve the greatest results.

This means that the client can be assured that the training provided is specific to them and is wholly aimed at achieving their objectives.

2. Highly skilled and trained instructors

ATC's clients can be assured that our instructors are amongst the most highly trained and experienced in the industry. All our instructors have a minimum of five years' experience and they have also acquired relevant driving and teaching qualifications which complement this standard and enhance their training expertise. Our instructors are personally selected by our Director of Courses and undergo a rigorous induction and training programme to ensure they meet ATC's required standard of competence and can effectively represent the Company.

When applying for the Approved Instructor Training Organisation accreditation, we were told by the Driving Standards Agency that our method of selection and training is unique within the industry.

3. Instructor assessment and reviews

Once the course content has been agreed, the process for briefing and reviewing instructors ensures that the delivery of training is consistent throughout the country, and is continually improved upon.

Instructors are personally briefed by the Director of Courses as to the specific requirements of the training course and any other particular factors which have arisen through the contract agreement.

A detailed Course Specification and Illustration Presenter are given to each instructor, which provides a step-by-step guide on the content of the course and the objectives to be achieved. The Specification and Presenter provide two of the main methods of ensuring that there is consistency in the training delivery.

Senior Instructors carry out training reviews by sitting in on courses and by reviewing the delegate's course evaluation forms.

Every opportunity is taken to develop our instructors and improve their overall training delivery.

4. Client Liaison

Central to the success of our training provision is close contact with the client so that we can monitor the training and address any areas of concern promptly and effectively.

To facilitate this we will appoint a designated person to act as chief liaison between ATC and the client and to manage the day-to-day delivery of the training provision and contract requirements.

5. Excellent administration and back-up

Once we have delegates' details we will coordinate all course administration. A dedicated team of booking administrators will ensure continuity of support.

Details of delegates can be sent to us via telephone, fax or email. All we need are names and telephone numbers or email addresses and the areas where the delegates work.

We will then:

• contact each delegate to arrange a convenient appointment
• confirm appointments in writing to each individual
• Supply information on training programme to be undertaken to delegates
• Handle cancellations/problems directly
• Monitor individuals training and instructor performance and pass details on to client
• On completion of programme, supply certificates to client for distribution

Our system is flexible so that we can incorporate specific client requirements.

6. Quality Procedures

To underpin our quality approach we have drafted procedures to cover the key processes of our training delivery. The processes cover:

• Management of training provision
• Control of instructors
• Control of course material
• Training facilities
• Contract review
• Non-conformances and Corrective Action

And are designed to ensure our services:

• Meet customer requirements
• Provide consistency in high quality training delivery and administration
• Are continuously reviewed and developed to achieve and maintain the highest standards.