Transportation Professionals Frustrated by CAP Renewal Stoppage

Online Renewal for CAP Certification: A Growing Need

Numerous organizations within the road transport sector are advocating for the urgent implementation of online renewal processes for the Certificado de Aptitud Profesional (CAP). The rigidity of the current system poses significant challenges, particularly for independent transporters, as they are often required to halt operations for several days to fulfill this obligation.

The Push for Teletraining in Transport

A coalition of associations, training centers, and transport experts is pressing the authorities to expedite the approval of online training for renewing the CAP. This call is backed by the Clúster Académico del Transporte y la Movilidad Segura y Sostenible, which insists that the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility must immediately introduce teletraining and virtual classroom formats as standard practice. This allows transport workers to update their certifications without missing valuable work days.

Understanding the CAP Requirements

The CAP is a mandatory qualification for professional drivers transporting goods and passengers via road. It’s not just a one-time pass; the certification requires renewal every five years, accompanied by a mandatory 35-hour training course. The current policy mandates that this training be conducted in-person, which hampers many freelancers from keeping up with their work routines, leading to financial losses.

The Impact of In-Person Training on Small Operators

There’s a clear distinction between the initial CAP and the required renewal every five years. The latter, necessitating 35 hours of in-person training, often turns into a costly affair for self-employed drivers who charge per kilometer. They may lose several days of income or need to subcontract work, which significantly increases operational costs.

Costly Consequences of the Current System

Experts agree that the inflexibility of the current requirements discourages ongoing education and creates invisible costs that threaten the competitiveness of small operators. They highlight the need for a shift in governmental policy to accommodate these changes in the training landscape.

Advocating for Change

The coalition has made two specific recommendations: firstly, to publish the long-awaited ministerial order that facilitates teletraining, and secondly, to amend the Royal Decree 284/2021 to ensure that virtual classrooms become a standard, not an exception reserved for extraordinary circumstances. This inconsistency remains largely unresolved due to the lack of regulatory development.

Modernizing CAP’s Approach

According to Ramón Valdivia, executive vice president of the International Road Transport Association (ASTIC), the modernization of CAP is overdue. “This isn’t about replacing face-to-face training; it’s about expanding the options available so each professional can tailor their learning to fit their schedules and needs,” he asserted.

The Role of Technology in Training

With advancements in technology, continuous evaluation and control comparable to in-person training can be achieved. Despite Spain theoretically allowing up to 12 hours of online training under European directive adjustments, the administrative application still insists on the full 35 hours in person, creating a more stringent practice compared to other countries like France or Germany. Flexibility in training would significantly alleviate operational burdens on independent contractors.

Remote Learning Success Stories

Francisco Paz, director of Institutional Relations at AT Academia del Transportista, recalls instances during the pandemic when CAP courses were successfully offered online, showing promising results in both monitoring and assessment. Online training reduces barriers and accommodates drivers located far from physical classrooms.

Personalize Your Learning Experience

Teletraining that allows professionals to progress through modules at their pace, with activity logs, identity verification, and tracking of their learning journey, stands as a feasible solution. Valdivia advocates for more distance-learning content to relieve small fleets from disruption without necessitating legislative alterations.

Addressing Hidden Costs

The repercussions of current regulations extend beyond lost income. The logistics of commuting to approved centers, covering accommodation and meals, and, in some cases, employing temporary replacements add up to a heavier burden, especially for small operators.

Impact on Work-Life Balance

Natalia Blanco, general director of the Business Transport Association of Galicia (Apetamcor), sheds light on how in-person requirements impact cash flow for small operators, stating, “The present model leads to a direct income loss as drivers need days off for training, which many simply can’t afford.”

Supporting Family Balance

There’s also the added challenge of maintaining family-led operations and the sensitive orchestration of minimal staffing in small firms. The notion that online training is not only viable but has already been successfully executed should propel acceptance of digital training formats moving forward.

Compatibility with European Standards

From a legal standpoint, it’s crucial to recognize that Spain’s rules are misaligned with European directives. The existing framework promotes e-learning, yet legislative holdbacks prevent its full embrace, resulting in competitive disadvantages compared to nations that have adopted digital solutions for CAP.

Urgency for Action

Transportation authorities opened a public consultation in 2022 on normative development regarding these modalities, yet concrete steps remain pending. As each five-year mark passes without a digital alternative, the requirement for another round of in-person training looms over independent contractors, resulting in forced operational stoppages that could impede their business.

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