Strides Mobility (Strides) and the National Taxi Association (NTA) have established the Training Committee for Drivers (TCD) on 28 July 2022.
The committee will work towards equipping Strides Mobility taxi driver-partners with relevant knowledge and upgraded skillsets.
The partnership between Strides and NTA was made official through the signing of an agreement by Strides President Ang Wei Neng, and NTA Advisor Yeo Wan Ling.
The TCD will involve senior management representatives from Strides, NTA, as well as partners – NTUC’s e2i (Employment and Employability Institute), NTUC LearningHub and NTUC Industry Training & Transformation (IT&T).
Ms Yeo said: “NTA is glad to partner Strides in setting up a joint committee on training for driver-partners. Leveraging the Labour Movement’s network of NTUC’s e2i, NTUC LearningHub and NTUC IT&T, NTA wants to ensure that we put in place a targeted training roadmap that equips our taxi drivers with the necessary skillsets to remain relevant in an evolving industry.
“This is a step in the right direction and we hope to build on this by partnering more operators to continuously upskill our Point-to-Point workforce.”
One newly launched training programme that the TCD seeks to further develop is the Customer Service and Road Safety & Defensive Driving programme, a core programme for all new Strides driver-partners.
The eight-hour programme is curated to equip new Strides driver-partners with customer service skills and enhanced driving capabilities to provide safe and comfortable journeys for customers.
Those who complete this programme will receive a training grant of $36 to cover the cost of their expenses as they seek to upgrade their skills. NTA members will receive an additional $100.
Strides driver-partner Fong Chee Ping said: “Such programmes on good customer service and safe driving are very helpful in enhancing our skills and knowledge to provide safe and comfortable service to our passengers. It will also remind us about our priorities when ferrying passengers.
“It is great that drivers can receive some support for attending the training. I will definitely encourage my fellow driver-partners to attend this programme.”
The TCD will work towards identifying relevant training and skills required for driver-partners in the future landscape, developing systematic and sustainable training programmes, and fostering a culture of lifelong learning for all Strides driving-partners.
“This MOU is a significant milestone for Strides to provide meaningful and purposeful training for our driver-partners. The funding provided goes a long way to encourage the partners to take time off to learn new skills, including digital skills, to do their job better, provide better customer service and encourage life-long learning.
“We look forward to continuing our close working relationship with NTA, NTUC’s e2i, NTUC LearningHub and NTUC IT&T,” said Mr Ang.
