Driving behavior and the human factor is one of the most important aspects of traffic safety. With the fast pace of today’s traffic, it is vital that as many people as possible are aware of the risks in order to avoid accidents. Volvo Group runs traffic and site safety programs for drivers, operators and the public all over the world.
In many countries, the transport and construction industries face a shortage of people with the right competencies. We offer our customers in emerging and established markets worldwide a variety of professional training programs, focusing on vocational training for technicians, mechanics, drivers, operators and factory workers that equips them with the right skills for roles in the transport and construction industries. Our vocational training programs facilitate employment opportunities within the local community, while securing the long-term development of our business.
Three initiatives aiming to bring the road toll down in South Africa.
In 2018, the Stop, Look Wave safety awareness campaign reached over 11,400 South African children. The program has been embraced by people throughout the organization who have dedicated time to visiting schools and educating students on how to be safer around traffic. The ambition is to continue to expand the program in South Africa, as well as into other African countries.
A critical shortage of skilled commercial drivers is believed to be one of the contributing factors to South Africa’s high accident rate. By training more women to be truck drivers – who are severely underrepresented in the industry – it is hoped that the Heavy Duty Driving School for Women will help increase the pool of skilled drivers in the country. This will not only help address the driver shortage but hopefully improve road safety as well.
Another attempt to improve the availability of skilled drivers is the Volvo Group Driver Learnership program, which aims to help unemployed truck drivers in South Africa to re-enter the industry the same time as it improves the ability of skilled drivers. The first intake started the 12-month program in July 2018 and graduated in mid-2019.
Hace más de 20 años, Volvo Group inauguró el primer centro de formación de conductores de vehículos comerciales de la India en Hosakote, Bangalore. Volvo Group vio la necesidad de la capacitación de conductores en una etapa temprana en la India; la capacitación ha sido fundamental para proporcionar a los conductores los conocimientos necesarios para operar camiones y autobuses de alta categoría, de manera segura y rentable. Hasta la fecha, se ha capacitado a más de 100 000 conductores en el centro, lo que lo convierte en una parte primordial del compromiso de Volvo Group con el desarrollo de competencias.
Alrededor de 2 500 conductores de camiones y autobuses de las marcas Volvo y reciben cada año una capacitación de introducción y seguridad en el Centro de capacitación de conductores, en Hosakote. Ofrece instalaciones de formación completas para el aula y para sesiones prácticas. La mayoría de los participantes forman parte de un curso introductorio de cinco días que incluye aprendizaje sobre tecnología, seguridad, actitud y salud. Alrededor de 4 500 conductores también asisten a cursos de actualización en sitios regionales.
