FROM THE OFFICE OF
WWW.EXPORTANDFREIGHT.COM
Peter Morrow FORS Manager – Northern Ireland.
MANAGEMENT TRAINING TO FUTURE-PROOF ROAD TRANSPORT Today’s transport professionals understand the importance of operational efficiency as they navigate business in an ever-more competitive and legislative-heavy marketplace. A targeted and focused business plan and investment in company infrastructure, policies and working practices play a huge part in future-proofing during tough economic climates. As FORS members are well aware, efficient vehicles, good knowledge of fuel use, effective tyre management and robust route planning all play a part in managing costs while keeping customers happy. However, arguably one of the most valuable assets to any transport operation is its staff. Operators not only compete for experienced drivers amidst a national driver shortage but they must also ensure their transport managers are able to implement legal and compliance requirements. Through its dedicated FORS Professional programme, FORS is able to offer members classroom and online training for both drivers and managers, empowering and engaging staff to actively promote safety, efficiency and the environment. Along with the essential FORS driver training courses, fleet managers can fulfil management training requirements via the FORS Practitioner programme. FORS Practitioner training is a series of workshops for managers at any level, delivered in ten half-day units. Each workshop provides a complete package of fleet management learning, including managing work related road risk, safe and efficient fleet utilisation, reducing
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fuel use and minimising fines and charges. Supporting a member of staff to become a FORS Practitioner will result in gaining an in-house FORS specialist, who knows what your business needs to meet FORS requirements, and how to embed such best practice across your organisation to deliver tangible safety and commercial benefits. With FORS Practitioners now numbering some 1,500, FORS members are truly seeing the benefit of this training. Delegates may complete the ten workshops in any order and at a pace that suits them, with each session counting as 2.5 Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours – taking part in all ten workshops equates to three complete days of CPD training. Completion of the workshops leaves attendees fully equipped to face the challenges of managing a busy commercial vehicle operation, regardless of its size and make-up. Indeed, Newry-based Dumfries Freight, which recently supported two employees through the programme to become the 1,499th and 1,500th FORS Practitioners, believes having two qualified FORS Practitioners on site has strengthened its customer base, for whom FORS accreditation is understood to be a sign of competence and dedication to excellence. FORS Practitioner workshops are divided into key subjects. Company-wide measurement policies for fuel and environmental impact assessments are discussed, along with how
to develop procedures to help members manage driver fitness levels, as well as driver training and development. Fleet safety is also covered, with guidance on the correct collision procedures to put in place, and how to manage work related road risk (WRRR). Since the FORS Practitioner programme launched in 2011, over 23,200 FORS Practitioner training sessions have been completed by members. The programme, which also includes recertification to encourage continuous development, continues to grow in popularity, meeting a distinct training need for fleet operators and ensuring an upskilled and engaged workforce for years to come. FORS Practitioner workshops • Developing fleet management policy • Managing work related road risk • Managing driver fitness and health • Managing driver training and development • Collision procedures and analysis • Safe and efficient fleet management • Reducing fuel use and minimising environmental impacts • Minimising transport fines and charges • Measuring and monitoring road fleet performance • Managing noise in logistics
