Dennis Eagle invests in the future of vehicle training

Last year, Dennis Eagle trained over 700 customers. This year, there are a few remaining dates available to customers keen to expand their knowledge of operating, repairing, and maintaining their refuse vehicles.

“We’re always working really hard to deliver a great relationship with our customers, and our training programme is part of creating that customer-first culture,” says Alice McCabe, Learning & Development Officer at Dennis Eagle.

Training options

Dennis Eagle’s training programme, which has been running since the early 80s, is split into three categories: Vehicle Operator Training, Technical Training, and Electric Vehicle & HV Systems training. All courses are created and delivered by a team of dedicated Dennis Eagle trainers, with more being recruited to meet demand.

Vehicle Operator Training is carried out at customers’ sites when they take delivery of a new vehicle. The training demonstrates the key functions and new features of the vehicle, and includes instruction on loading and tipping procedures, driving controls, and in-cab options. Technical Training has six courses: Elite+ Chassis, Olympus Body, Electronic Truck Steering, Olympus Twin Pack, Beta 2 Bin Lift, and Toolbox Training. Each course provides delegates with the skills and experience to recognise faults and carry out repairs and maintenance.

“Technical training is at our Service Centre in Aldridge in Walsall throughout the year,” says Alice. “However, we can be flexible, so if a customer can’t come to us, we can go to their site instead.”

For Electric Vehicle & HV Systems training, Level 2 and Level 3 courses are available. Level 2 is online, while Level 3 is a four-day course at Aldridge, run in partnership with industry specialists, Autotech Training. For all courses at Aldridge, Dennis Eagle can help customers book hotels if needed, and lunch is provided.

Looking to the future

While Dennis Eagle receives overwhelmingly positive feedback from customers, that doesn’t mean it's resting on its laurels. “We work hard to deliver an even better training experience by constantly looking for new ways to meet customer needs,” says Alice.

This includes building a Digital Training Academy for Vehicle Operator Training, which was showcased at RWM in September. Customers will receive the eLearning programme at the point of vehicle delivery.

Alice McCabe and Nathan Wheatley from the Training team at RWM 2024

“We believe it will be more efficient for customers because they won’t have to take their workforce off refuse collection rounds,” says Alice.

“Customers will also have the option of requesting a trainer to visit their site to deliver further operator training if needed. It’s about providing more time-efficient and cost-effective offerings as possible.”

Dennis Eagle are excited to be able to provide their customers with the platform to allow them access to “in the moment of need” information.

“They will be able to log on from their laptop or mobile and click on bitesize chunks of learning content including videos and reference guides,” says Alice. “This means they will no longer have to flick through a physical user manual, allowing quicker access to information needed.”

Get booked in!

To book a training course, please contact our Dennis Eagle Training team directly at customertraining@dennis-eagle.co.uk, call 01926 458 500, or visit https://dennis-eagle.eventbrite.com