COVID-19: MPQC e-learning module goes live!

MP Skills introduces online Introduction to Site Safety Awareness module for drivers

THE current COVID-19 pandemic may have resulted in a period of uncertainty, but the team at MP Skills has designed the MPQC Introduction to Site Safety Awareness e-learning module to support the sector, ensuring drivers and their employers have access to a temporary solution that allows for the smooth continuation of operations.

The online e-learning module, which has the full backing of the Mineral Products Association (MPA) and its members, has been created both to address the skills gap and as a temporary solution to ensure that drivers within the extractives industry can still operate and access sites under the current circumstances.

The e-learning module has been designed to cover key health and safety topics with an online assessment consisting of 15 randomized questions, which must be completed and passed with an 80% pass mark. Upon successful completion, the driver will receive a temporary Driver Skills Card that is valid for six months, during which time the driver must attend the face-to-face course and pass the assessment to upgrade to the full MPQC Driver Skills Card.

All new drivers or drivers whose card expired prior to 13 March 2020 who require the temporary MPQC Driver Skills Card to work, should register here for e-learning.

For further information about the temporary Driver Skills Card, click here.

Any driver (either new drivers or those whose card expired prior to 13 March) who was booked on one of the MP Skills Site Safety Awareness Courses that has been postponed as a result of COVID-19 will automatically receive a link to the e-learning, as appropriate. Once MP Skills is in a position to run the actual courses, drivers will be contacted for booking on to the next available course in their area.

The cost of the e-learning is £75 + VAT, which will be credited against the full cost of the face-to-face course, so no extra cost in doing the e-learning will be incurred, providing the course is taken within the time frame on the card.

The e-learning module is only available for new drivers or drivers whose card expired prior to 13 March 2020. Drivers who already hold a card with an expiry date that is after 13 March 2020 will have their cards recognized for a period of time, during COVID-19 pandemic.