Exeter, Devon – 11^th January 2012 – Western Training Services today announced that it has signed an agreement with Pearson VUE, the electronic certification and licensure testing business of Pearson, to provide Information Technology certification test delivery using the Pearson VUE® Testing System. The Pearson VUE advanced computer-based testing system administers exams for leading IT certification programs such as Cisco^®, CompTIA^®, Citrix^®, Novell^® and others through a global network of quality test centres.

“We’re very excited about our new partnership with Pearson VUE,” said Derek Haggerty, Managing Director. “The Pearson VUE Testing System is the most powerful available. We’re pleased to partner with a company whose breakthrough technology and passion for service will allow us to provide even greater service for our customers.”

Among the technological advances of the Pearson VUE system is the ability of test candidates to register and reschedule their tests at the test centre, on the Pearson VUE website or through a Pearson VUE call centre, all in real time via the Internet. “The Pearson VUE Testing System gives us unparalleled control and flexibility over our ability to manage our business our way,” added Derek Haggerty. “With so many options, we will be able to experiment with testing hours and number of testing stations. We can easily offer same-day testing, or bring testing to our customers’ locations. Everyone benefits.”

The growing list of IT certification tests accessible through the Pearson VUE system are delivered directly from the test sponsors. Test results are quickly transmitted back, ensuring the candidate’s certification status is promptly updated.

Raymond Murray, executive director and general manager of the global IT business segment for Pearson VUE said, “We are proud to welcome Western Training Services Limited to the rapidly growing global network of Pearson VUE Authorised Test Centres, providing candidates with an opportunity to participate in a positive, rewarding test experience.”

Pearson VUE (www.pearsonvue.com) is the global leader in computer-based testing for information technology, academic, government and professional testing programmes around the world. Pearson VUE provides a full suite of services from test development to data management, and delivers exams through the world’s most comprehensive and secure network of test centres in 165 countries. Pearson VUE is a business of Pearson (NYSE: PSO; LSE: PSON), the international education and information company, whose businesses include the Financial Times Group, Pearson Education and the Penguin Group.

Western Training Services are based at the Matford Business Centre on Marsh Barton Industrial Estate, Exeter; and are recognised as a market leader for terminal based testing in the South West.  In addition to the Pearson VUE contract, Western Training Services are the only training company in the region to offer online ADR testing for the SQA.  Full details about their services can be found at www.westerntrainingservices.co.uk

The largest dedicated PCV driving agency in the United Kingdom have contracted Western Training Services Ltd to supply Driver CPC training to their 300 strong workforce at the new Matford Business Centre training complex in Exeter.  Following successful negotiations, the directors of Freelance Coach Drivers Team Limited, based in Exeter; were delighted with the services WTS has to offer.  Finance Director, Mr Charlie Haggerty says: “We’re proud to say we are the biggest coach driver agency in the country, and Driver CPC was a concern.  It’s not going to go away and we as a Driving Agency, who supply drivers all over the country to Coach Operator’s who regularly tour Europe, need to ensure all of our drivers are trained to the highest standards our customers expect from us.  Western Training Services have shown us that they can deliver that standard and the deal was done”.

Training Manager, Daniel Lavery of Western Training Services is delighted with the excellent start this contract has given the company.  “I am delighted with this contract and I can foresee a fantastic relationship between WTS and the Freelance team.  This commitment to their staff can only pay dividends in the future and is a fantastic show of confidence for everyone here at Western Training Services Ltd.  Freelance are one of the biggest customers in the area for driver training and we are delighted to have secured their business” he said.   The Freelance Coach Drivers not only have Driver CPC in their sights, but have also given their driver training requirements to WTS as well.

With so many drivers on their books, driver training is always a subject that crops up in their transport office with many drivers requiring upgrades from D1 (Minibuses) to Category D (Coach) licences, and new drivers offering contracted services in return for training.  Managing Director, Del Haggerty says: “We are always getting asked if we’ll put our drivers through their bus tests and before, it was always difficult to find time to organise things.  With this new internet based business at WTS, it is so simple to book a driver in for training in minutes, and the rest is over to Daniel.  Everyone is happy.  The training is of a very high standard and it is exactly the reputation Freelance wants to be associated with.” Business is also going from strength to strength at Freelance and WTS are delighted to pass on newly qualifed drivers to the company for employment opportunities within the coach industry.  Coach drivers looking for work are invited to visit www.freelanceteam.co.uk for further information.

Driver CPC-expert Western Training Services has attended a speed networking event in Plymouth to offer its training courses to businesses in West Devon.

Western Training Services, based on the Marsh Barton Trading Estate in Exeter, sent its trainer Daniel Lavery to the networking event being run by the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce.

Daniel travelled to Boringdon Park golf club to meet up with 30 representatives from other businesses. Each delegate had two minutes to introduce their company and the services or products it offers to all the other attendees in turn.

Western Training Services offers a range of swift training for courses and accreditations legally required by the driving and construction industries, including the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence, LGV and PCV driver training, Construction Skills Certification Scheme tests and health & safety courses. Many of the tests can be taken online at Western Training Service’s base in Exeter.

Daniel said: “We have a state-of-the-art facility here in Exeter which could be of benefit to a whole range of businesses right across Devon. It was good to meet some of our business neighbours from Plymouth and I hope Western Training Services can meet some of their training needs some time in the not too distant future.”

Western Training Services is a recent addition to the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce. Its contact details  can be found in the Chamber’s directory at www.plymouth-chamber.co.uk.

Western Training Services has added coach driver training to the portfolio of courses it offers from its training centre in Exeter, Devon.

Western Training Services, based at the Matford Business Centre on the Marsh Barton Industrial Estate, opened earlier this year to offer online testing for a range of courses and accreditations required by haulage and passenger vehicle drivers and construction site workers. Continue reading →

Western Training Services in Exeter has launched a course aimed at young people struggling to find work.

The state-of-the-art online training centre has joined forces with The Prince’s Trust to offer a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) course and test at Western Training Services’ base at the Matford Business Centre on the Marsh Barton Industrial Estate. Continue reading →

New business Western Training Services has secured Driver CPC contracts with two passenger vehicle companies in Exeter.

Western Training Services, based at the Matford Business Centre on the Marsh Barton Industrial Estate in Exeter, began trading earlier this year to provide online training in a range of courses and accreditations required by the haulage and construction industries, as well as by passenger vehicle drivers.

This online facility offers a swift turnaround in a variety of legal qualifications, including the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC), which will be a legal requirement for all passenger vehicle drivers from September 2013.

Western Training Services has recently won contracts with coach driving agency The Freelance Team and with coach hire company Dartline totalling more than £100,000. Continue reading →

Western Training Services (WTS) Ltd has recently opened in Exeter becoming just the second terminal-based ADR training centre in the UK.

This new business, which opened at the Matford Business Centre on the Matford Industrial Estate on March 28, will serve the training and accreditation needs of companies in Devon, Cornwall and Somerset. It is the only approved online training facility of its kind in the south of England; the other Driving Standards Agency-approved facility is in Manchester. Continue reading →