Freeway Fleet Systems has debuted Skills Tracker. It creates a digital record of tasks done by engineering staff, including apprentices, and is part of Freeway’s fleet maintenance system that utilises mobile devices within the workshop.
Software records the duration and completion of every task the user undertakes. Skills Tracker also provides operators with what Freeway says are insights into work performance via quality assessment, highlighting where knowledge and skills can be improved.
Technicians can access best practice and training material directly from their devices, which the supplier adds will empower both skilled and trainee users with all the tools needed to learn, progress, and apply best practice skills. The new product is also useful for appraisals, Freeway continues.
For training, Skills Tracker can be set up with second level sign-off. That allows supervisors or skilled operatives to check the task before job closure. Freeway also describes its mobile app as a useful training aid by taking the user through each task step-by-step, with access to instructions, videos, lists of parts required, and maintenance histories.
It adds that scope for operators to monitor performance represents “an invaluable tool” for managers, particularly in identifying training needs. That applies equally to apprentices and new recruits, and existing staff transitioning from paper or legacy systems.
Via data collected from across the workshop and potentially at multiple locations, Freeway uses analytics to calculate standard labour times for jobs. Utilising advanced algorithms and machine learning, that process extends from simple tasks such as changing filters to more complicated processes.
With Skills Tracker task data and those standard times calculations, engineering managers can see how every team member performs. When coupled to staff availability data, they can then decide how to optimally allocate staff to tasks that match their skillsets, identify opportunities to improve performance, and determine where additional training is needed.
Speaking about the new product, Freeway Fleet Systems Managing Director Patrick Tandy notes that labour is a major cost in fleet maintenance and making best use of it is critical.
“It is a particular issue at present due to skilled labour shortages and the transition to digital working,” he continues. “With the Skills Tracker and Freeway’s data analysis capabilities, operators have a very useful tool to help them get the most out of their workforce, improving productivity and quality.”
