New TMC Training Course announced by ATOC

ATOC issued the following press release on 30th March 2010.

The Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) has launched a new online training scheme that will save money for travel agencies licensed to sell train tickets.
From 6 April 2010, the Quality of Service Certificate (QSC) that must be held by any agency wanting to sell train tickets will be replaced by the Certificate of Rail Agent Competency (CORAC). Both were developed by ATOC, which represents Britain’s train operators.
The QSC was a two-day classroom-style training course that meant agents racking up travel and accommodation costs in attending, and their employers having to find cover for staff while they were away. The CORAC training and exams, on the other hand, can be done online from agents’ workplaces.
Study guides can be downloaded to help agents pass the exams, which test candidates’ knowledge of subjects including the dimensions of the rail network, UK geography, rail industry terminology and how travel agents can meet passengers’ needs.
David Mapp, ATOC Commercial Director said: “With rail travel now more popular in Britain than at any time since the Second World War, it has never been more important for travel agencies to be able to sell train tickets.
“Travel agents studying for the CORAC will develop the expertise on rail travel that will allow them to meet record demand for train tickets, without having to leave the office.
“This new qualification means they can get all the training they need while saving money at the same time.”
Notes
· Each travel agency office must have at least two staff – or 20% of the team, whichever is greater – qualified in order to hold a license to sell train tickets.
· The new scheme involves three multiple choice exams – one general exam on the country’s rail network, and two on the train companies that operate on the network.
· The cost for all three exams will be £99, meaning significant savings when compared against the QSC course. The charge for the QSC was £360, and it also required candidates to accumulate travel expenses in attending courses, and their employers to pay for cover while they were away. Current QSC holders will only need to sit two exams and pay £66.
· All exams are timed. The general exam lasts one hour, the others last half an hour each.
· Candidates must achieve a pass mark of at least 85% in all the exams, and are notified whether they have passed immediately after each exam. They will be given a break-down of questions answered correctly and incorrectly, allowing them to concentrate their studies where necessary.
· The CORAC qualification has been developed by the Association of Train Operating Companies. Study guides and the exams can be found on its website for travel agents, www.atoctravelagents.org. Agents will need to create a user account in order to access the relevant pages.
Once registered, agents will have three months to study and complete the exams. Candidates who do not pass an exam can re-take it as many times as is necessary within this period for a cost of £33 each time. If all the exams are not completed after the three months, they will need to re-register and pay the £99 fee again. Any completed exams at that point will become void.