Evaluating to improve: designing and applying an evaluation methodology for the periodic training of professional drivers Erasmus Project

Project Title

Evaluating to improve: designing and applying an evaluation methodology for the periodic training of professional drivers

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for vocational education and training

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2019

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Quality Improvement Institutions and/or methods (incl. school development); Reaching the policy level/dialogue with decision makers; Pedagogy and didactics

Project Summary

CONTEXT
Recently the European Union approved amendments to the Directive 2003/59/EC on the initial qualification and periodic training of drivers resulting in a new Directive 2018/645. Prior to the legislative process an impact evaluation study was carried out on behalf of the European Commission. The results of the study were, however, inconclusive, and this for two reasons. First, the study was carried out too soon in the implementation process, making it very hard to lay out effects. Second, the design of the study was to theoretical and focused on the macro-level, prohibiting a thorough understanding of the reality on the ground.
This is unfortunate since both training institutes and lawmakers (at European and national level) would benefit from information on the impact and effectiveness of the training programs that are put in place. After all, such information is indispensable for improving the quality of the legal framework on the one hand and the courses and training methodologies used on the other.
AIM OF THE PROJECT
With this project we want to evaluate the impact and effectiveness of the periodic training programs of drivers. In other words, we want to assess to what extend the investment in training does or does not result in observable behavioral changes in the job (=transfer of training). Additionally, we want to find out what characteristics of the current situation stimulate of prevent this transfer of training to day-to-day reality and what can be done to improve the transfer.
We therefore want to select key indicators measuring impact at four levels:
1. Training: does the training run smoothly and according to the wishes and expectations of trainees, trainers, institutes and law-makers?
2. Skills: have the trainees acquired additional skills and or knowledge?
3. Job: is there behavioral change on the job?
4. Objectives: is what happens on the ground in line with high-level objectives of law-makers and/or the transport sector?
Additionally to measuring impact, we want to assess the didactical principals used, the attitude of trainees and trainers, and the circumstances on the job that prevent or stimulate transfer of training.
Deliverables of the project should be:
– A valuated impact assessment methodology for the periodic training of drivers programs.
– A national report for every participating institutions with actionable findings allowing both lawmakers and training institutes to improve upon the current situation and to reach the goals mentioned in the directive (traffic safety, sustainability).
– A Europe-wide report to improve the situation at European level and attain the goals mentioned in the directive (traffic safety, sustainability)

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 408837 Eur

Project Coordinator

Instituut voor de autoCar en de autoBus & Country: BE

Project Partners

• Bildungswerk Verkehr Wirtschaft Logistik NRW e.V.
• ASSOCIATION POUR LE DEVELOPPEMENT DE LA FORMATION PROFESSIONNELLE DANSLES TRANSPORTS
• TYOTEHOSEURA RY
• Formation Car & Bus Opleiding
• UNIVERSITEIT ANTWERPEN
• Transporterhvervets Uddannelser
• SDRUZENI AUTOMOBILOVYCH DOPRAVCU CESMAD BOHEMIA, ZS