FORS, the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme, has pledged further growth and improvement programmes for 2024 following strong expansion last year.
Its newly published Annual Review 2023 reveals the scheme ended 2023 with a total of 4,600 FORS Accredited Operators across the UK, representing 101,000 vehicles. A further 400 operators are now registered with FORS.
The scheme also held 4,617 Bronze Audits last year and received and reviewed 2,821 Silver and Gold applications.
The FORS Audit service was rated 9.4 out of 10, from almost 1,000 operators who completed the post-audit satisfaction survey.
The FORS Professional training portfolio also recorded strong take-up. More than 17,000 drivers attended the Safe Urban Driving, Safe Driving or Van Smart courses. A total of 279 manager courses were delivered, with an average of 18 individuals on each course (over 5,000 individuals). This resulted in 293 managers attaining FORS Practitioner or Advanced FORS Practitioner status. Over 118,000 FORS eLearning modules were completed.
The FORS Helpline also saw increased engagement, responding to more than 26,000 emails and handled over 20,000 calls, while being rated positively by 85% of users.
Concession director Geraint Davies said the figures underscored the FORS position as the go-to accreditation scheme for commercial vehicle operators.
“We’re very pleased and encouraged with progress in 2023,” said Davies. “We’re growing the scheme, and we’re streamlining the FORS Accredited Operator experience, which I believe is to the benefit of everyone.
“We aim to improve further in 2024, to win the support and confidence of more fleet operators and to ensure the scheme is relevant to all.”
The FORS Annual Review 2023 can be downloaded here.
