Falco has become the first FORS-accredited fleet operator in the utilities sector to use state-of-the-art virtual reality (VR) technology in CPC driver training.
In July 2022, ten drivers from the London-based company attended a Work-Related Road Risk (WRRR) course organised by driver-training specialist, Fleet Source at Falco’s dedicated training suite in East London. The attendees donned VR headsets to experience an immersive 6-hour session which included live scenarios filmed from all perspectives i.e., inside the vehicle, cyclists, pedestrians and horse riders, to simulate typical situations they are likely to encounter involving cyclists and how to react and respond to them correctly.
“This is a major step-change in the way we receive driver CPC training,” said Jason Shreeve, Falco’s Fleet & Facilities Manager, “The VR module really brought the scenario training to life and was much more thought-provoking and engaging than the traditional classroom-based instruction.”
The company, which has used Fleet Source for CPC driver training since 2017 plans nine more VR sessions for later in the year.
Falco’s 130-strong fleet which includes over a hundred 3.5-ton LCV’s, provides logistics support to its field teams that facilitate installation and repair of underground infrastructure for UK Power Networks (UKPN) and Thames Water among others.
The company achieved FORS Silver accreditation in 2019.
Established in 2012, Fleet Source are the UK’s largest independent driver CPC, fleet training and auditing experts. As well as Falco, the Hertfordshire-based company delivers HGV and Van training to some of the UK’s largest operators, including Transport for London, Travis Perkins, Morrison Utilities, Balfour Beatty and Go Plant. The virtual reality scenarios use visuals of real-life experiences to change drivers’ responses and behaviours, accounting for up to 30% of a standard 3.5hr driver CPC module.
