UK Smart Motorways Programme
Future Learning Systems (FLS) transforming training for the UK’s Smart Motorways Programme (SMP):
How FLS powered learning for Highways England and the 7 partner contracting companies within the
SMP Alliance.
Introduction
In 2022, Future Learning Systems collaborated with the SMP Alliance to create a customised learning management solution called Rou7e. Designed to meet the unique needs of the SMP Alliance, this bespoke LMS has become a cornerstone for delivering critical training, compliance, and performance improvement across the programme.
About the SMP and its Partners
Gavin Knight, Head of People Development for the SMP Alliance, championed the development and implementation of the Rou7e platform. His collaboration with Future Learning Systems was instrumental in achieving the platform’s success.
The Smart Motorways Programme is a transformative initiative under Highways England aimed at enhancing the UK’s motorway network through innovative technology and infrastructure improvements. The SMP Alliance consists of key industry partners, including contractors, consultants, and suppliers, working collaboratively to deliver safe, efficient, and sustainable motorway solutions.
The Key Partners: Balfour Beatty, Costain, Fluor, Jacobs, WSP and BAM/Morgan Sindall joint venture.
With a 10-year framework, this alliance is committed to driving excellence in delivering a key element of the Government’s second Road Investment Strategy, with a greater emphasis on technology and increased efficiency and a strong focus on safety, sustainability, and innovation.
The Challenge
The SMP Alliance faced the challenge of providing seamless and scalable training to a diverse workforce throughout varied parts of the county, ensuring consistent knowledge delivery across topics such as health, safety, sustainability, and project management. Traditional methods were inadequate for such a vast and complex programme, necessitating a digital solution that could centralise training, streamline onboarding, and enhance engagement.
The Solution
Future Learning Systems provided a fully customised platform (Rou7e), tailored to SMP Alliance’s specific requirements. Key features included:
- Comprehensive Onboarding: Modules covering health, safety, wellbeing, and customer-centric topics.
- Rich Content: Including a library of courses derived from both partner content and many developed in-house by Future Learning Systems. Topics addressing environmental management, carbon reduction, project planning & control and much more.
- Advanced Reporting: Tools to track compliance, monitor progress, and evaluate training effectiveness.
- User-Friendly Interface: A design optimised for accessibility and ease of use across varied user groups.
The Results
Rou7e has delivered remarkable outcomes, including:
- Scalability: Seamlessly onboarding hundreds of users across multiple disciplines.
- Engagement: High participation rates driven by interactive and practical course designs.
- Efficiency: Reduced administrative overhead with automated tracking and reporting.
- Impactful Learning: Enhanced understanding of critical topics such as sustainability, risk management, and modern slavery.
Some Metrics
Trained over 2,000 users within the first 36 months, licenced to operate on site.
Improved compliance scores by over 90% with over 5,000 courses completed.
Achieved an overall user satisfaction rating of Good to Excellent.