TRAINING FOCUS
32 | RailStaff | March 2014
Joint Skills Plan for Carillion and SPL Powerlines Carillion and Austrian-based SPL Powerlines welcomed shadow rail minister, Lillian Greenwood MP, to the new training facility in Doncaster recently. A joint programme between the two companies is addressing the skills shortage in the rail industry. As Britain embarks on a £2 billion extensive electrification programme over the next five years, rail analysts believe the industry needs 10 times the current number of qualified linemen. Last year Carillion Rail and SPL Powerlines announced a Co-operation Agreement for the delivery of the electrification programme and are now working together to train new staff who will deliver the electrification work won by the partners. Lillian Greenwood, MP for Nottingham South talked to trainees and met senior managers from Carillion Rail and SPL Powerlines. ‘I am very pleased to have been able to visit the Carillion and SPL Powerlines training centre in Doncaster which is a great example of companies involved in the rail industry coming together to invest in the new generation of highly skilled workers.’ She praised the professionalism of railway staff training at the centre. ‘It was great to have the opportunity to speak with some of the trainees and I welcome their enthusiasm and commitment to gaining skills
that are vital to maintaining the UK’s infrastructure today and in years to come.’
The next generation Says Paul Storey, head of electrification for Carillion Rail, ‘We were delighted to have the shadow rail minister visit our facility and show her the work we are doing to provide the next generation of skilled linemen. The electrification programme is a major investment for the UK which, once complete, will deliver benefits across the country. ‘In the past this type of programme has suffered from peaks and troughs of activity which has had a knockon effect of preventing the industry from delivering a long-term training programme to ensure we have the right people, with the right skills. That issue is now being tackled.’ Simon Talman, Operations Director for SPL Powerlines UK agrees. ‘It was good that Lillian Greenwood not only came to listen to what the senior management had to say, but she also showed an interest in what our trainees had to say about their experiences thus far. ‘This was important for our trainees and will give them a lift, as motivation is key for keeping them interested and committed for the future. We have instigated a programme to make our training as diverse as possible, integrating elements of health and safety, plant utilisation and explanation
Simon Talman, Operations Director Powerlines, Kyle Readdin, trainee project engineer, Patrick Trainor, trainee lineman, Bill Free, Business Development Manager Carillion and Lillian Greenwood MP, Shadow Rail Minister. behind how electrification works and the importance of keeping the railway operational whilst improving the infrastructure. We are all on a journey for a bright future with sustainable employment and business profit growth to ensure our people and their families stay loyal, committed and happy in their work.’
Centres of excellence The Doncaster facility is one of a network of Carillion Rail/SPL Powerlines training operations around the UK, including Coatbridge, Crewe, Milton Keynes and Bishopbriggs, which are centres of excellence for the industry. Each centre includes specialist
Field Gun Challenge for Apprentices Network Rail apprentice, Jessica Keers, is taking time out from her busy schedule to train for the Junior Leaders Field Gun event this year. The apprentice, based in York, took part in the competition while studying at HMS Sultan at Gosport in Hampshire, where Network Rail apprentices spend their first year. The apprenticeship scheme is proving popular and 220 more young people will join this September. Says Michelle Palin, who heads up recruitment for the Network Rail scheme, ‘It’s a very exciting time to
work in rail with huge multi-billion pound projects set to transform the network as we revitalise stations, increase the frequency of trains and make journeys faster, more reliable and greener. ‘We need more highly skilled people to help us meet the challenges of a busier network and focus on improving the reliability of the railway and increasing capacity as passenger numbers continue to grow.’ Apprentices specialise in track, signalling, telecoms and electrification and plant. During their second and third years they earn as they learn on the rail network’s front line, gaining vital experience from experienced teams as they train to become maintenance
training spans which replicate overhead line installation and maintenance operations. Trainees undertake an initial three-stage training programme working towards qualifications from industry body Overhead Line Equipment Competency (OLEC) at level 1, 2 and 3. Modules include Personal Track Safety (PTS) manual handling and harness use through to working on OLE under supervision. Once the main body of the training programme is complete, after a year the trainees will be placed on an OLEC3 course which, once passed and after a period of mentoring and assessment they will be able to work unsupported on OLE projects.
technicians. Throughout this time they regularly return to HMS Sultan for further courses and training to add to the experience gained on the rail network. Says Jessica Keers, ‘I found out about the apprenticeship from a family friend who joined the scheme about four years ahead of me. It sounded like a brilliant opportunity and that he was also having a lot of fun alongside his learning. I really enjoyed my time at the Navy bases in Gosport, gaining independence and growing as a person living away from home.’ Since 2005, Network Rail has trained 1050 apprentices across Britain through the three-year scheme with a further 600 currently still in training. The scheme leads to a life long career on the railways where every day presents a new challenge.