Employees of the railway never stop learning, and the industry is generous when it comes to providing courses and qualifications. RailStaff looks over the latest training and careers news.
EMR partners with National Autistic Society
East Midlands Railway (EMR) has undertaken Autism Champions training in partnership with the National Autistic Society.
The specialist programme equips selected staff with the knowledge and resources to deliver autism awareness workshops to colleagues across the organisation, with the goal of building understanding, breaking down barriers, and fostering a more supportive environment for autistic customers.
The training was part of a wider Department for Transport-funded project designed to reduce social isolation and improve the experience of public transport for autistic individuals.
As a result of this work, EMR achieved the Autism Friendly Award for the Skegness to Nottingham line.
Christine Flintoft-Smith, head of autism accreditation and projects at the National Autistic Society, said: “Travelling on public transport can be challenging for autistic people and their families due to uncertainty, difficult sensory environments, inaccessible information, and a lack of understanding about autism.
“It’s so important for transport companies like East Midlands Railway to show up for autistic people and their families by taking steps to better support autistic passengers, so they can make comfortable journeys and improve their quality of life.”
HS2 gives students a career boost
HS2 is continuing to invest in local talent by welcoming university students onto a paid placement programme during the summer holidays.
Now in its fourth year, the eight-week ‘earn and learn’ programme forms part of a wider drive to retain local talent by giving students an insight into future career opportunities on their doorstep.
Designed and delivered by HS2’s construction partner, Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV), the summer scheme is exclusively for undergraduates who live in the West Midlands or study at one of the region’s universities. Students leave the programme with practical work experience in roles that align to their chosen area of study, helping to boost their employment prospects when they graduate.
Julie Venn-Morton, HS2’s senior skills & inclusion manager for the West Midlands said:
“We’re exceptionally proud of the partnerships we’ve formed with our local universities and how we’re working together to help home-grown talent thrive.
“For the fourth year running, we’ve opened the gates to our construction sites and offices to enable a new cohort of engineers, technicians, and digital specialists to hone their skills and make a valuable contribution to HS2 – the UK’s biggest transport infrastructure project.”
Following the application and interview process, 32 students from eight universities – including the University of Birmingham, Birmingham City University, Aston University, and Coventry University – secured places on the programme.
Over the summer, the students have applied the theoretical skills they have developed during their studies into a workplace setting. Former placement students have gone on to secure degree apprenticeships (replacing full-time study), graduate schemes and permanent employment with BBV after graduating; demonstrating the scheme’s credibility and the reward opportunities for those that shine.
As construction continues between the West Midlands and London, HS2 is now supporting 33,000 jobs – around a third of which are West Midlands-based. 710 people from the region have secured an apprenticeship and 1,870 local people who were out of work have secured employment on the project.
Naomi Bates, skills, education and employment business partner at Balfour Beatty VINCI said:
“We’re looking forward to welcoming our new students this summer, of which a third are women and some are returners from previous summer placements.
“The programme delivers benefits for HS2 by exposing us to new and exciting ideas, while providing the perfect opportunity for students themselves to earn and learn as part of a world-leading infrastructure project.”
Among those joining this year’s work placement programme are Anastasia Docherty, 22, from Leamington Spa, who is studying Construction Project Management at Coventry University. She said:
“I’m really excited to join Balfour Beatty VINCI over the summer months and learn as many new skills as I can. Being part of such a large infrastructure project like HS2 is a great opportunity for any student looking to get an insight into the construction industry.”
South Eastern Railway invests in careers
South Eastern Railway has marked a major step in its ambition to build a modern, inclusive, and highly skilled workforce, as Rail Minister Lord Hendy joined colleagues to celebrate the opening of its new careers and skills hub in Ashford on Friday 11 July.
The centre – known as Connect 38 – is situated a short walk from Ashford International railway station and brings together recruitment, digital learning, and professional development under one roof, creating a dynamic environment for new starters and existing colleagues to grow their careers on the railway.
Demand to join South Eastern Railway is growing exceptionally quickly, with more than 30,000 job applications in the last year alone, compared to just over 14,000 the year before. Connect 38 represents a significant investment in the company’s people, helping to more than double the capacity for recruitment and training and providing the next generation of talent.
From train drivers and engineers to customer service and digital specialists, the centre will support hundreds of apprentices, offer targeted pathways for school leavers, veterans, and career-changers, and deliver on the Government’s skills agenda.
Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy said: “Under public ownership, South Eastern Railway is making real changes that not only improve the lives of passengers but staff and local communities too. This is exactly what we want to see operators doing, offering skills and training to ensure their workforce is open to everyone, from school-leavers to career-changers to veterans.
“Through this investment, we will see more and more skilled, rewarding careers in the rail industry open up as Connect 38 breaks down barriers to opportunity, drives economic growth and supports the Government’s Plan for Change.”
Neil Robertson, chief executive of The National Skills Academy for Rail (NSAR), added: “Southeastern were one of the first operators to embrace apprenticeships and have always taken training very seriously. This is an exciting new opportunity. Knowing them as we do, we expect to see strong social value created alongside the development of new skills.
“With a wide range of jobs available across the rail industry, initiatives like this help to strengthen routes into rail and ensure the sector attracts the talent it needs for the future.”
South Eastern Railway brings together the publicly owned train operator Southeastern and infrastructure provider, Network Rail Kent Route, under a single leadership team.
Greater Anglia hosts emergency response exercise
Greater Anglia recently tested emergency responses to a major rail incident, as it hosted a significant two-day live exercise in Norwich.
The exercise, held on 9 and 10 July, involved more than 200 emergency service, rail, and disaster support staff, who attended Greater Anglia’s Crown Point depot and Carrow Road stadium.
It tested the plans and procedures of emergency service and rail industry organisations (including Greater Anglia) in the event of a major incident. In the scenario tested, a train had derailed after hitting a landslide. The incident had left the doors blocked and had injured the driver and many passengers on board.
A total of 40 volunteer actors played the parts of passengers on the train, which, for the exercise, was located in a segregated area of the depot. The actors were each given scenario cards with prompts about how to act, to make the situation as real as possible. Some were even daubed with special make-up to make injuries, such as leg fractures and head wounds, look realistic for the emergency services to then treat as part of the training exercise.
The company’s 40-strong voluntary humanitarian assistance team called the Incident Care Team, was also involved. Their training allows them to respond to a major incident, such as a crash, and provide emotional and practical support in the following hours and days to those involved and their families.
Daughter follows in father’s footsteps
East Midlands Railway (EMR) has celebrated the graduation of 12 new trainee drivers at a special ceremony held in Derby, including a touching surprise where a long-serving father proudly handed over the symbolic train driver’s key to his daughter.
Among the new graduates was Alicia Oldham, 32, who was presented with her train driver’s key by her father, Ian Oldham, a seasoned train driver with more than 30 years of service at Nottingham.
“It’s been incredible,” said Alicia. “My dad has worked on the railway for 31 years and having him here to pass me my driver’s key, as a driver himself, is phenomenal. It’s a moment I’ll never forget.”
Speaking at the even Ian, 57, shared his pride in Alicia’s success: “I’m extremely proud. Alicia has worked so hard, it’s a tough course, and we all knew she’d get through it. She’s done us all proud.”
The family has a long-standing connection to the railway. In addition to Alicia and Ian, Ian’s son Curtis also works at EMR as a technician at Eastcroft Depot in Nottingham, and Ian’s grandfather served as a train guard in city for over 50 years.
The ceremony also marked a milestone for EMR, as this graduating class is the first with a near 50:50 gender split, a significant step forward in making the rail industry more inclusive.
The 12 new train drivers officially completed their training on Friday 1 August and are now taking the next steps in their careers on the railway, helping to keep the East Midlands network moving.
Image credit: HS2
