It’s incredible what change can take place between print deadlines! With Labour now sitting pretty with a huge majority it has begun to reveal its vision for society, industry, and the economy. But what of Transport?
Although Rail wasn’t top of the agenda while campaigning, in the past month Keir Starmer has made some bold moves. And with Lord Peter Hendy now Rail Minister, it seems someone in the know is finally close to the head of the table. Let’s hope it leads to positive, tangible change.
With a keen eye on political developments, Colin Wheeler kicks off the latest issue with his regular update examining the incidents and accidents currently occupying the RAIB. But, he asks, what has the new government inherited when it comes to track safety, and can it deliver improvements?
Colin also gives us his view on Labour’s plan to nationalise rail, for which the Government introduced the Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill on 18 July. He considers what it will mean for passenger and freight services, and discusses the good and not-so-good of the British Rail days.
The Government clearly has plans for the network but achieving this will rely on bringing the weight of its workforce to bear. New recruits will be required and current employees might be wise to sharpen up their skills. In this issue we feature a focus on training, qualifications, and careers, which should prove useful to anyone looking to get ahead in their current role or make a change within the industry.
We hear from a number of organisations who give us insights into their training programs and tips on how we can all develop our own skills. Elev8 Training introduces us to its groundbreaking approach to apprenticeships which, it says, will redefine vocational training. Confidential safety hotline CIRAS, teaches us the importance of listening and how to better develop that skill. Learning Partners Limited explains how good leadership can bring calm to even the most stressful of workplace environments and, finally, RSSB provides a case study on the impact of its own programme which empowers railway staff to make sound decisions under pressure.
To round off the focus we touch on the recurring issue of manpower. With recruitment being an ongoing headache for many firms, the industry has often looked outside its own boundaries for new blood. One reliable source of workers has always been the Armed Forces, and we take a look at how the skills and attributes which make for success on land, air, and sea, can be transferred over to life on the rails.
Bringing the issue to a close, Bonnie Price, CEO of Young Rail Professionals, fills us in on the organisation’s successes over the past few months and gives us a taste of the events it has in store in the final weeks of the summer.
And, talking of events, we’re inching ever closer to the celebration of the year – the RailStaff Awards. Make sure to finalise your nominations and bag your tickets today!
Image credit: Simon Dawson / No. 10 Downing Street
