FORS members and training providers can now apply to have an immersive interactive training course approved by FORS. The organisation implemented this to help FORS members meet the HGV and van driver work-related road risk (WRRR) requirement as stipulated in the FORS Standard at Silver level.
The FORS Standard sets out the conditions operators must meet if they wish to become FORS accredited. It is updated every two years to ensure it keeps abreast of industry trends and upcoming legislative changes.
FORS Standard, version 6, was due to be launched in October 2020.
It has been delayed by a year to minimise disruption to FORS members in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Despite the suspension of the next edition of the FORS Standard, work has been ongoing to introduce immersive interactive learning as an additional training option for HGV and van drivers who must undertake training for on-road risk and the safety of vulnerable road users at FORS Silver.
Immersive interactive training uses drama-based multi-media, virtual reality or other mixed reality training to help attendees understand the road from different perspectives.
FORS S5 Professional development WRRR requirement currently stipulates that HGV and van drivers must undertake training on road risk and the safety of vulnerable road users every five years. This training must include a practical on-cycle element (for example, FORS Professional Safe Urban Driving or Van Smart).
From 1 July 2020, FORS operators will be able to meet S5 WRRR requirement by undertaking immersive interactive training that has been approved by FORS either for the initial mandatory five years or the subsequent five years.
FORS members and training providers can now apply to have an immersive interactive training course FORS Approved.
Sonia Hayward, FORS Manager, said: ‘Both practical training and immersive interactive training are an incredibly important part of the learning mix because they enable a driver to gain first-hand experience as a vulnerable road user.
‘Opening up the training criteria for FORS Silver Professional Development to allow immersive interactive training gives our members another option for meeting this important requirement and will certainly help embed this knowledge within their driving workforce.’
To view the FORS Professional approval guidance, click here.
