Network Rail - driving up industry standards through leadership in training

Background

Network Rail is a company of 33,000 employees providing a transport system vital to the economic prosperity of the country, so it is crucial that it has a skilled work force that can operate competently and safely. Network Rail's customised training covers technical, engineering and management skills, covering mandatory safety and technical competencies as well as management and leadership skills.

The Problem

Currently, national qualification provision does not meet the needs of Network Rail, as there are no qualifications that cover the specific training requirements that the business demands. It already leads the sector in technical rail skills training and also supplies some of the training requirements for contractors and partners in the industry. The lack of official accreditation however, means the company and staff do not get recognition for the skills and specialist techniques they have.

By becoming an awarding body in the Qualifications and Credit Framework, Network Rail will be able to offer its work force training that leads to nationally recognisable, transferable qualifications sitting alongside already recognised programmes such as NVQs, GCSEs and BTECs. Having the ability to award its employees qualifications that have national and where relevant international currency, will improve employee retention, motivation and satisfaction and aid the recruiting of high calibre employees in the future.

In addition, by offering these national qualifications, Network Rail will be raising the skills requirements of the sector and helping the UK to continue to be a key player in the global economy.

Process

The initial qualification to be piloted in 2008 will be Track Engineering, focusing on technical competences in track engineering but also covering other areas such as Health and Safety. Learners will be able to achieve nationally recognised Level 2 and level 3 qualifications through the course.

All the Network Rail workforce of 33,000 will eventually be involved plus agreed contractors and other stakeholders within the rail sector. GoSkills, the Sector Skills Council for Passenger Transport, will be working with Network Rail to help guide development and evaluation with a view to the portfolio of courses being used as a sector wide standard. More course material is also being developed to add to Network Rail's current range of training.

As an awarding body Network Rail will retain control over its training needs and will ensure it has the best skilled work force for its core business. With this new status the business will be a key influencer in how employer training needs are met in the rail sector and help ensure good practice is commonplace across the industry.

Quote

Andrew McNaughton, Chief Engineer at Network Rail comments: 'This is a unique step for Network Rail and is seen by Government as a significant move towards increasing the skills profile of the UK. Working within the Qualification & Credit Framework as an awarding body will enable us to keep on setting industry standards for technical rail skills training in the UK and attract and develop a highly trained and motivated workforce.'