FORS, the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme, has highlighted the increase in member benefits resulting from investment in new products and services in its 2017 Review.

The scheme's annual report and assessment of the previous 12 months' activity, said that initiatives introduced in 2017 included: 

• new, funded, training courses, workshops and e-learning modules
• a new FORS Driver Licence Checking Service in association with FORS Affinity Partner Licence Bureau
• a new FORS Audit Toolkit to help with initial FORS Bronze accreditation
• a new FORS Fleet Management System – FOR FMS – developed by software specialist and FORS Affinity Partner FleetCheck

The 2017 FORS Review also reported continued growth in membership – notably with 264 operators progressing from FORS Bronze to Silver and 59 operators progressing from FORS Silver to Gold.

End-of-2017 figures showed the total membership increased to 4,654, tyhe scheme continues to grow and, to date, membership now stands at 4,755.

John Hix, FORS director, said: “No other organisation has invested so much into training as FORS, the body of training materials at the disposal of drivers and managers is vast.

"With much of it free or funded, the value of dedicated training for members cannot be underestimated – the result is tangible benefits in everyday operation and for operators of all types.”

In 2017, FORS introduced a new FORS Practitioner Workshop (Manging noise in logistics), and a new FORS Practitioner Recertification course.

New e-learning modules include Smart Driving, Smart Deliveries, two LoCity e-learning modules, TruckSmart, Security and Counter Terrorism, Road Risk Champion and Collision Investigator.