Candidates
Before their appointment, DGSAs must gain a Vocational Training Certificate (VTC) by passing approved examinations. The Department for Transport (DfT) is responsible for the approval of the examinations and it has appointed SQA as its agent. SQA is responsible, in conjunction with the DfT and its advisory panel, for:
- developing and issuing the syllabus for the examinations
- developing, conducting and marking the examinations
- issuing Vocational Training Certificates
- providing a list of examination centres (located throughout the UK) and dates
- appointing a Principal Examiner, reviser and team of question setters and markers for each subject
The examination questions are prepared and moderated by experts in the industry.
How to gain a Vocational Training Certificate
To qualify as a DGSA or extend the validity of a VTC, you must undertake and successfully complete an examination in three subjects as follows:
- Core paper
- All Classes
- one Mode paper - Road or Rail or Inland Waterways
You may only be employed as a DGSA in the mode(s) and class(es) you have passed, and hold a Vocational Training Certificate for.