Driver training programme to use electric hybrids

Toyota New Zealand is providing the Manfeild National Driver Training Centre with three Toyota Prius plug-in electric hybrids (PHVs) to use in their training programme. The training programme centres around increasing the number of secondary school pupils gaining their restricted licence. In turn allowing students to gain NCEA credits and a defensive driving qualification making them more employable when entering the workforce. “This programme, aimed at getting well trained, suitably qualified young drivers onto our roads, is a fantastic initiative, especially considering the lower numbers of secondary school students with an appropriate licence,” said Andrew Davis, the General Manager of Marketing for Toyota New Zealand. “We have loaned these vehicles to the National Driver Training Centre to support them in this great community initiative.” Toyota New Zealand also understands that electrically charged vehicles will underpin the future of transport, so students should be comfortable with their operation. “The Prius PHVs are the kind of technology that will become increasingly common in the future, so getting drivers used to its operation makes sense.” The new government has pledged to make driver education more accessible to school leavers. Recent surveys have found only 44 per cent of all 18 to 24-year-olds have a restricted licence. In recent years, many industries which use lots of drivers have struggled to find suitably qualified staff. The road transport industry has combined with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment to encourage more people into driving as a career through a Sector Workforce Employment Programme. The National Driver Training Centre aims to provide suitably qualified drivers who have completed the first steps towards a job where a driving licence is required. On Tuesday 21 November the National Driver Training Centre is holding an Open Day for school principals, career advisors and gateway co-ordinators to explain the courses and opportunities the National Driver Training Centre provides.