FORS revamps popular ‘Practitioner’ training programme

FORS, the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme, has launched a new, updated version of its popular FORS Practitioner training programme designed specifically for fleet management professionals.

Now comprising a series of 15 modules, the introduction of five additional modules allows participants to adopt a more flexible route towards achieving FORS Practitioner status, with the programme also offering more career-specific content. The revamped FORS Practitioner programme is now available to book online, with all courses commencing in April.

Course participants are still required to undertake a total of ten FORS Practitioner modules, including six mandatory components from the pre-existing prospectus. Then, a choice from any of the remaining modules – including the new five modules – will see participants ‘graduate’ as a FORS Practitioner with a knowledge-set specific to their own career and workplace.

The additional five modules have been carefully devised to reflect modern fleet management awareness, and include:

- Managing driver fatigue risk

- Managing drivers’ hours

- Managing abnormal indivisible loads

- Introduction to fleet auditing

- Road traffic collision investigation

The five new modules provide flexibility for participants as they pursue their goal of achieving FORS Practitioner status. From the pre-existing ten modules candidates must undertake six on a mandatory basis. They include

Managing Work Related Road Risk – Managing Driver Fitness & Health – Managing Driver Training & Development – Collision Procedures & Analysis – Vehicle Serviceability & Roadworthiness –Fuel Efficiency & Low Emissions. The FORS Practitioner programme is arguably the jewel in the crown of the FORS Professional training portfolio – the most comprehensive training resource for drivers and managers presently available in the transport industry. To date, over 3,200 individuals have graduated from the FORS Practitioner programme.

More widely, FORS Professional offers a vast range of eLearning and online webinars, while fully qualified training providers deliver practical training courses for drivers such as Van Smart, LoCITY Driving and Safe Urban Driving. Managers are also afforded a full suite of courses offering dedicated learning pathways. There are also Toolkits, Toolbox Talks and Guides covering all aspects of fleet operation and all job descriptions.

“We’ve listened to FORS Accredited Operators and have created a world-class training programme for fleet management professionals,” said FORS Concession Director, Ian Henderson, “We’ve taken the opportunity to update existing content, while the additional modules and revised graduation pathways offer a tailored training package to suit individual workplace requirements.

“The new FORS Practitioner programme is the result of listening to our FORS accredited operators,” added Henderson, “with the feedback gathered over the last 12 months, we’re confident we’ve developed a complete training programme that covers all the bases regardless of the size and makeup of the transport operation.”