AA DriveTech, the specialist division of the AA that provides driver risk management and training for corporate drivers, will be offering a number of bespoke half-day courses to members of the FSDF at preferential prices, covering:

• Cold Chain Integrity and Interface management – ensuring cold/chilled chain continuity from arrival through to departure at distribution centres. The course would cover topics covering door management to the avoidance of undue period of product exposure to ambient temperature.

• Food Quality Management – demonstrating the importance of maintaining product temperature checks on loading and unloading, imparting knowledge of in vehicle airflow methods, loading and stacking techniques and styles so that optimum temperature maintenance can be ensured throughout the distribution process.

• Food handling and personal hygiene – educates delegates on the importance of personal cleanliness, clothing and footwear suitability, smoking restrictions, disease and infections, sickness, as well as the appropriate food safety regulations.

• On Vehicle Equipment – instructs delegates on the importance of temperature monitoring, operating and downloading information and provides guidance on how to keep accurate records.

AA DriveTech will also be assisting the FSDF in deploying its "virtual stairway training programme", recently launched in conjunction with Skills for Logistics.

The company says it has a strong track record of working with major brands in the food industry. Sainsbury’s Home Delivery arm for instance has benefited from significant operational cost savings as a result of implementing a bespoke driver training and vehicle management programme developed by AA DriveTech.

FSDF chief executive Chris Sturman said: 'Our partnership with AA DriveTech will deliver additional value and enhanced benefits to our current and future members. Through AA DriveTech’s quality training products and its geographic reach, the FSDF can now add driver development to our extensive programme of food industry specific training.'