The following is a list of Frequently Asked Questions to help you better understand the IRU Academy, and how you can get involved.

What is the IRU and the IRU's mission?

The IRU is the international organisation which upholds the interests of the road transport industry worldwide. Via its network of national Member Associations, it represents the operators of buses, coaches, taxis and trucks, from large fleets to individual owner-operators.
The IRU’s mission is to facilitate road transport worldwide and through the IRU Academy it uses training to promote professional competence in the sector.

What is the IRU Academy and what is an ATI?

The IRU Academy is the educational arm of the IRU; it ensures excellence in road transport training through its international network of IRU Academy Accredited Training Institutes (ATIs).
ATIs are Training Institutes that are accredited to run IRU Academy Programmes and therefore benefit from harmonised training delivered through the International network of ATIs.

What is the geographical representation of IRU Academy ATIs?

As of 2011, the IRU Academy’s network consists of 47 Accredited Training Institutes(ATIs) present in 36 countries on 3 continents. The IRU Academy’s objective is to give international recognition to its ATIs and their graduates.

What programmes does the IRU Academy provide?

The IRU Academy provides programmes that are focused on developing skills of people active in the road transport sector. Along with its CPC Manager programme, the ADR (Transport of Dangerous Goods), the Tachograph programmes and the CPCD Driver Programme are also available to ATIs. The IRU Academy also participated in a joint initiative to fight HIV-AIDS and to improve fuel-efficiency and reduce CO2 emission in the road transport sector and is currently working towards the release of its Safe Loading and Cargo Securing Programme.
Each programme is designed by recognised experts, in order to guarantee a high level of consistency and accuracy. The programmes are tested in pilot institutes before being released in the market and are continually updated to meet the latest changes and fulfil the latest requirements.

Who can apply to the IRU Academy Programmes?

The IRU Academy Programmes are open to organisations with high quality training facilities and qualified instructors that are willing and capable of offering internationally recognised high-quality training.

The organisations that can apply and become accredited to deliver the IRU Academy Programmes include (this list is not exhaustive):

1)    Road Transport Associations;
2)    Road Transport Operators;
3)    Training Institutes;
4)    Schools;
5)    Universities.

What does it cost to become an IRU Academy ATI?

Fees vary depending on the chosen programme Generally, there are three types of fees that your Training Institute will have to foresee: Application Fee, Annual Fee and Per Student Fee. All fees are indicated in the IRU Academy Programmes Application Booklets and more information is available to ATIs through the ACM at http://academytraining.iru.org/ under the "Downloads" section. 

The IRU Academy application booklets that can be found via the IRU Academy web site explain the programme specific application procedure, its cost, and contain all forms including the IRU Academy ATI Agreement.

What is the validity of accreditation?

The accreditation will remain valid until Accreditation Expiry Date printed in the IRU Academy ATI Agreement and on the IRU Academy ATI Accreditation Certificate.

How does an ATI reaccredit and update information?

Reaccreditation must be obtained prior to the Accreditation Expiry Date printed on the IRU Academy Accreditation Certificate. The Reaccreditation process can be initiated by your ATI 6 months prior the Accreditation Expiry Date.

At least one Principal Programme Instructor should attend the IRU Academy Train the Trainer before reaccreditation. 

Generally, reaccreditation will be done via the IRU Academy Online website. It will require your ATI to review existing accreditation data and, where necessary, make modifications and resubmit updated documents.

How does the IRU Academy ensure training harmonisation?

The IRU Academy is uniquely positioned to drive the harmonisation of training standards, incorporate international best practices and verify – in an independent capacity - that these training standards are in compliance with EU regulations and applicable international instruments.  Also, through its Train the Trainer courses, the IRU Academy provides professional harmonised teaching methodologies to joining instructors to ensure programme consistency and use of best practices.

How does the IRU Academy ensure ATI quality control?

To harmonise training the IRU Academy provides each ATI with standardised Instructor Guides which are regularly updated by the IRU Academy consultants.

One of the key aspects of quality control by the IRU Academy is the human element of training. To ensure high quality of teaching, the IRU Academy offers multiple Programme related Train the Trainer in different locations and languages. The main objective of these briefings is to improve the teaching experience and subject matter expertise of ATI instructors.

More information can be found on the IRU Academy web site, including Programme specific Course Outlines and Registration Forms.

What is the registration fee to attend the IRU Academy Train the Trainer?

Participation is free of charge for one ATI Principal Instructor per programme. Additional Instructors wishing to participate in Train the Trainer will pay a Registration Fee based on the ATI Membership status. For more information, please consult the registration forms related to the programme of interest on the IRU Academy website. (Travel, visa & accommodation are at the expense of the ATI).

What are the benefits of being an IRU Academy graduate?

IRU Academy graduates are guaranteed to receive the best in-class training through IRU Academy ATIs and gain recognition of their competencies by leading International Organisations (represented by the IRU Academy Advisory Committee – ADC).  In addition, each IRU Academy graduate is given a private and secure individual web site, giving them direct online access to their IRU Academy Certificates and/or Diplomas in PDF format. IRU Academy graduates can promote their qualifications towards potential employers and partners online through these web sites equipped with tools allowing them to create a curriculum vitae and update their personal information.

What are the lengths of IRU Academy Programmes?

Each programme has different duration. Some are rather short - 8 hours, while other will span over 300 hours.

What are the benefits of being an IRU Academy Accredited Training Institute (ATI)?

IRU Academy ATIs are part of an international network of training institutes which benefit from access to:

• First-class training materials and latest legislative updates
• The IRU Academy Online (AOL), an easy to use internet-based application, through which ATIs can manage their training activities (create classes, enrol students, print IRU Academy Certificates/Diplomas locally) and promote themselves and their classes via the IRU Academy website.
• The IRU Academy’s Content Management Platform (ACM) grants ATIs with immediate access to the latest IRU Academy programme-related materials for download and use.
• Train the Trainer delivered by recognised experts in the road transport Industry
• Free promotional material to advertise your training programmes

Finally, being an ATI provides to the institutes access to a network of high level professional training institutes active in road transport capacity building. The yearly ATI meeting is meant to focus on specific themes and challenges that ATIs face with an emphasis on knowledge sharing based on individual experiences and best practices.

Does the IRU Academy work with other international organisations?

In its activities, the IRU Academy is fortunate to be backed by a high-level advisory committee of representatives from the World Bank, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the International Transport Forum, the European Commission, the European Transport Workers Federation and the European Training Foundation.  The IRU Academy is also proud to be supported by the International Labour Organisation and the European Parliament.

Does the IRU Academy deliver the courses?

The IRU Academy defines, sets up, manages, organises and controls the programmes and the related supporting structure in order for ATIs to benefit from a professional learning environment. It also runs programme-related Train the Trainer aimed at ATI Instructors. It is the role of the IRU Academy’s ATIs to train drivers, managers and others interested in road transport training.