I saw something recently where someone was blaming the fall in numbers of those seeking to become driving instructors on the recession (i.e. the last two years) and, naturally, on RED Driving School – who were actually sold and became a completely different company to the one reviled by most know-it-alls way back in 2010 (i.e. over FOUR years ago).
In actual fact – and it IS a fact – the numbers seeking training began to fall off at least 4 or 5 years ago (not two), which is probably part of the reason why the original RED got into difficulties in the first place. What has actually happened is that the recession has caused many struggling ADIs to quit the job altogether, which has in turn created a market for those who are thinking about becoming ADIs themselves. Indeed, the recession has also created a pool of such people as its effects have not been confined to just the driver training industry. In essence, the recession has created a market and supplied the consumers all in one go. I commented on this a few months ago in the ADI News version of the blog (the New Year issue, I think), and predicted a run on those wishing to become instructors. From what I’ve seen, this is already happening, and even on forums the number of new members asking for advice (and being given given lots of the negative variety) is noticeably greater.
The effects of the recession (particularly the rise out of it) don’t end there, either. I am picking up a new pupil typically every other day at the moment. I’m not exaggerating when I say I may have to close my books for a while to new pupils – and considering that I work weekends and evenings if required, it takes a lot to fill my diary to the level that it’s at right now. This time last year was very quiet – that’s when the recession finally hit me – and it lasted until the summer. Since then it’s just been upwards.
I do find it surprising that so many so-called “professionals” can continue to fail to understand that RED is not the company it used to be in all sorts of different ways. and essentially just retains the name. To keep trying to use the RED name as some sort of dirty weapon – as if all this didn’t happen – is just foolish, and betrays a very bitter outlook.