Like workers elsewhere in the workforce, private-hire drivers also need to stay nimble and speed up their skills acquisition process or else find themselves left behind by an evolving digital economy.
To help them with this, Grab and the National Private Hire Vehicle Association (NPHVA) have come up with a new training initiative to equip Grab private-hire drivers with new skills sets to drive safely and stay relevant in today’s changing business environment.
Unveiled on 6 February 2020, the Grab Driver-Partner Training Kit consists of a Defensive Driving Course conducted by Grab and ComfortDelgro Driving Centre, and the SkillsFuture for Digital Workplace (SFDW) course.
Together, these courses can provide Grab private-hire drivers with safety and digital skills.
According to a media release by Grab, NPHVA, NTUC’s e2i (Employment and Employability Institute) and NTUC LearningHub (LHUB), the Defensive Driving Course will equip new and existing Grab drivers with defensive driving techniques and the know-how to improve their safety awareness on the road.
Meanwhile, the SFDW course will help drivers understand more about emerging technologies and how to interpret and use data. According to Grab, the information will come in handy for the drivers as they are equipped with a range of advanced tech features in their Grab driver app.
The training kit is supported by e2i, LHUB, SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) and Workforce Singapore (WSG).
Grab drivers can start signing up for the courses by the first half of 2020.
“Our driver- and delivery-partners have always been time-strapped as they focus on earning a livelihood. Hence it is important for Grab to provide them with the time, system and support to empower them to keep up with the changing requirements,” said Grab Singapore Country Head Yee Wee Tang.
Mr Yee added that Grab will look at rolling out more training formats, such as courses to help drivers maximise their earnings or help Grab drivers explore other employment opportunities beyond driving.
NTUC Assistant Director-General and NPHVA Advisor Ang Hin Kee said: “We hope to regularly update the Grab Driver-Partner Training Kit content so that our drivers are always informed on what is most required and relevant for their jobs. For a start, we hope to strengthen their digital and road safety know-how.
“Moving forward, the training content can also be tailored to train drivers in basic safety and healthcare-related knowledge. This would help them cope with situations related to public health awareness like the haze, or even unexpected baby deliveries onboard the vehicle. With relevant knowledge, they can be better equipped to protect themselves and the people around them.”
