29/04/2026
Why we are worried—not just for our industry, but for you.
Since we started JEM, we’ve had many conversations that have been, quite frankly, heartbreaking. We regularly meet people who have invested savings and their dreams into a new career, only to be left feeling abandoned, under-supported, and financially drained.
We aren't just worried about the future of our industry; we are worried about you on a personal level. It is distressing to see individuals treated as a "revenue stream" rather than a future colleague. Your career change should be an exciting milestone, not a source of "bill shock" and constant stress.
To help you navigate the pitfalls we are seeing within large national schools and many medium-sized schools running franchise models, we’ve put together this comparison of how we work versus the trends that are currently worrying us.
The JEM Standard vs. Current Industry Trends
• Mandatory Training
• JEM: 100% In-Car & Face-to-Face.
• Others: Often substituted with video/homework.
• Training Ratio
• JEM: Strictly 1:1. Your time is yours alone.
• Others: Often 2:1 (Two trainees to one trainer).
• Sponsorship
• JEM: FREE. We do not charge to sponsor you.
• Others: Can be up to £2,000 for just 6 months.
• Online Content
• JEM: Bonus support to BACK UP your training.
• Others: Used to REPLACE mandatory in-car hours.
• Contractual Ties
• JEM: No mandatory fees or hidden contracts.
• Others: Ironclad memberships & franchise fees.
• The Goal
• JEM: To put you in the Instructor Seat.
• Others: High-volume recruitment and fees.
It’s about the human touch.
We’ve noticed a worrying trend where schools—both large and medium-sized—are increasingly replacing vital in-car time with online videos as a cost-cutting exercise.
The DVSA’s senior examiner team is clear: the most effective training happens in-car and face-to-face. We believe online workshops, video content, and our breakfast clubs are fantastic tools—but only when they are used to back up and enhance your 1:1 time, never to replace it.
Our Door is Open
It is genuinely upsetting to see people being tied into high monthly membership fees and ironclad franchise agreements before they’ve even qualified. We started this business because we believe in training with integrity. We believe that if we support you properly on a personal level, you will become a successful, high-quality instructor.
If you’re currently training and feel something isn’t right, or if you’re just starting out and want to avoid these pitfalls, please get in touch. We are here for an honest, professional, and heartfelt chat.
Let’s get your career started with the support you actually deserve.