7 June 2022
The AA Driving School has launched an innovative training course to expediate the time it takes driving instructors to qualify and set up their own businesses.
The driving school has launched a new instructor training course supported by virtual reality software (VR) designed to speed up the training process, without compromising on quality.
The course provides innovative driving instructor training using bespoke headsets with 360-degree video footage of real-life driving and is combined with comprehensive classroom instruction and in-car training.
Trainees could start teaching in as little as 12 weeks and once they pass their final Approved Driving Instructor qualification can start up their own AA franchise.
Demand for driving instructors remains high, following pandemic restrictions and lockdowns which brought a DVSA test backlog and pent-up demand for lessons.
Mark Oakley, AA Driving School Interim Managing Director said: “At the AA Driving School we do more than just teach learners. A big part of our work is training the next generation of driving instructors and supporting them to set up their own businesses as qualified instructors.
“The new virtual reality-based course at our national Driving Instructor Training Academy will save future instructors time and money, compared to other training routes, without compromising on quality.
“Being able to train new instructors faster is also great for pupils as many of our current driving instructors are at maximum capacity, meaning pupils may have to wait longer to be matched with an instructor in the busiest towns and cities.
“We urge people who have the right skills, a passion for helping others and an interest in being their own boss to consider driving instruction as a career. There’s never been a better time.”
AA research into career switching
The AA Driving School has carried out research** into the reasons people had changed jobs in the past two years, excluding those who were made redundant or retired.
A survey of 14,000 workers found more than one quarter had left their employer to pursue more money (26%) or a change in career direction (27%).
Young people (18-24s) were most likely to say they had recently left an employer for more money (42%). More than one in ten left to become self-employed or to gain a better job title (both 12%). However, 8% moved jobs simply because they were bored.
Those aged 25-34 were most likely to say they had changed employer to seek a better work-life balance, with more than one third (37%) saying they had done so during the past two years.
The top five reasons people changed employer were:
- 27% left their employer for more money
- 26% left their employer for a change in career direction
- 22% left for a better work-life balance
- 18% left their employer for a different location
- 17% left their employer due to a bad boss
Mark Oakley, AA Driving School Interim Managing Director added: “The pandemic has made many people re-evaluate their priorities. Being in the right career plays a big part of peoples’ overall happiness and wellbeing.
“Of course having greater earning potential is important, especially at the moment as the cost of living crisis continues, but a job that allows you a good work-life balance as well is really important for many people.
“The freedom of being their own boss and managing their work, plus the satisfaction of helping people reach a life goal, means most instructors never look back once they have joined.”
The AA Driving School’s full franchise instructors can earn more than £50,000 a year**.
For more information about becoming a driving instructor visit theaa.com/driving-school/driving-instructor-training/virtual-reality.
*AA-Yonder survey with 13,947 respondents between 11th and 19th April 2022. Yonder is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.
**Based on AA branded instructor data 2019.
AA DIT VR course comprises of three parts:
- 3 days virtual reality classroom experience with 8-12 trainees and AA qualified driving instructor trainers
- 2 days in-car application
- 1-day progression and development check