AN 11-point action plan to secure the future of the Fleet Driver Training Association has been set out following crunch talks between industry leaders. The meeting provided the association with a clear message - it must change to suit the needs of all training firms or lose its place as the industry body.

A 'round table' talk was called after a string of defections in the past year as membership tumbled from 18 companies to 12. Companies quitting blamed their departures on the FDTA losing its way as an industry body.

However, more than 40 executives from 27 organisations, including all but one of the firms that have resigned, attended the meeting. They offered their support to a re-positioned and updated FDTA during a meeting last Wednesday.

The all-day talks, with members representing 90% of the UK fleet driver training industry, heard from FDTA chairman James Sutherland that the association would live or die according to the confidence it inspired in its members.

A 'wish-list' for change included - a new emphasis on lobbying on behalf of the industry, a major push to 'sell' the need for risk management and driver instruction, a more 'open' structure allowing smaller operators to join and an FDTA office to deal with enquiries.

Dr James Pritchard, who chaired the meeting, added: 'There was virtually 100% agreement on a number of new ideas, which - if acted upon swiftly - could considerably strengthen the UK driver training industry.'