RailStaff - Issue 283 | January-February 2023

CONTENTS

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INVESTING IN THE FUTURE OF SCOTLAND'S RAINFOREST | 16

An ambitious project to protect natural habitats and enhance biodiversity is being supported by Network Rail Scotland.

RBF: SUPPORTING STAFF THROUGH THE ENERGY CRISIS | 20

The Railway Benefit Fund is offering financial support to workers struggling with rising energy costs.

STEPPING UP ELECTRICAL SAFETY | 22

Network Rail launches a programme to enhance the culture of safety among staff.

YOUNG RAIL PROFESSIONALS: PASSING ON THE BATON | 36 Fiona Westcough looks back on an unforgettable year as she steps down as chair of YRP.

HS2: A RECRUITMENT AND TRAINING POWERHOUSE | 42

As it rolls through the UK, HS2 is providing countless opportunities and creating a lasting skills legacy.

SPOTLIGHT

MOVING FORWARD IN 2023 | 24

Colin Wheeler discusses the latest safety issues and hopes for a safer year ahead.

RAIL RECRUITMENT 2023 | 46

Carrington West provides a snapshot of salaries and an overview of the current recruitment market.

Staff SPRING INTO ACTION

Contact us:

Editor: Matt Atkins

Production and design: Adam O’Connor

Track safety: Colin Wheeler

Advertising: Asif Ahmed

Craig Smith

Chris Davies

Tiffany Frost

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It only seems five minutes since we were waving goodbye to 2022, but we’re already on approach to the spring months of 2023 and enjoying the slightly warmer weather that comes with it. As the year gets into gear, it’s a great time to think about new opportunities and what the future may hold. With this in mind, this issue of RailStaff provides a focus on training, recruitment, and careers, which will hopefully provide some inspiration and guidance for your career journey through the year.

Before that, we have a feature-packed edition for you, kicked off by Alex Hynes, managing director of Scotland’s railway. Alex discusses an industry-leading, two-year pilot project to enhance natural habitats near the Glenfinnan viaduct. Network Rail Scotland has committed £329,000 to the project which will help to compensate for biodiversity lost during its tree and vegetation management programme. It’s a fitting story in these months of regrowth and renewal.

Moving on to our regular safety section, Colin Wheeler takes a look back at working practices during his time on the railways and

looks forward to what he hopes is a safer 2023. His safety bulletin covers the incidents and accidents that occurred at the tail-end of last year, which were largely a result of human error. Staying on the safety theme, we cover a new programme designed to prevent accidents involving electricity. Over the last five years, the industry has seen four electrical safety-related incidents which have resulted in life-changing injuries. Network Rail’s Electrical Safety Step Up aims to improve safety culture among those working with, or near, high voltage equipment, and make these occurrences a thing of the past.

Moving on, we say a sad farewell to Fiona Westcough as she ends her tenure as chair of the Young Rail Professionals (YRP). Fiona gives us the highlights of an unforgettable year and fills us in on some of the events taking place in 2023. She will be sadly missed, and we wish her all the very best for the future, although we know she’ll make a success of whatever she turns her mind to.

Our training, recruitment, and careers focus explores the countless opportunities provided by HS2 as major civil engineering works progress in London, the Midlands, and the North. We examine the positive impact the project is having on regional communities and the lasting skills legacy it is creating in its wake. We also discuss the present rail recruitment environment with Carrington West’s Oliver Gooch, and take a peek at salary expectations, which have been impacted by Brexit, Covid, and the current cost-of-living and energy crises.

Speaking of which, the Railway Benefit Fund (RBF) reminds us that it can offer support for workers in financial distress. It’s Energy Support Fund has seen unprecedented demand since it’s establishment last year and has helped hundreds of households with their energy costs. If, like many, you’re struggling under the weight of today’s economic woes, RBF can offer support or point you in the right direction.

Here’s hoping that 2023 sees the beginning of the end of these difficult times, and that your hard work and determination brings you every success along the way.

Alex Hynes, managing director of Scotland's railway.

ScotRail Class 385 is videogame star

ScotRail’s Class 385 stars in new simulator game - Train Sim World 3: ScotRail Express. Developed by Scottishbased Rivet Games and published by Dovetail Games, the latest iteration of the Train Sim World franchise adds another full Scottish route to the series and will be eagerly anticipated by train enthusiasts.

The route covers the busy line between Scotland’s two biggest cities, Glasgow and Edinburgh and features a host of classic railway vistas including: the Balmoral Hotel, overlooking Edinburgh Waverley station; viaducts separating Linlithgow, Polmont, and Falkirk High stations; and the recently renovated Glasgow Queen Street station.

ScotRail’s Class 385, dressed in the train operator’s iconic Saltire livery, has been chosen as the train to carry passengers along this inter-city line.

They were a major upgrade to the train operator’s services when they were introduced in 2018, increasing the number of seats for passengers and improving energy efficiency.

These trains are cutting carbon emissions by over 10,000 tonnes a year, which is the equivalent of taking 2,238 cars off the road every year or planting 5,138,151 trees across the fleet’s expected 30-year lifetime.

Passenger announcements make their debut in this game and ScotRail’s classic train planters make another appearance, this time as static scenery objects.

Network Rail brings safety into schools

Network Rail has donated a number of safety helmets to Platform, a rail education organisation, for use in their school railway safety workshops.

The helmets could no longer be used by rail colleagues as part of their personal protective equipment (PPE) as they had passed their expiry date but are now being put to use in classrooms as a learning aid. Platform has used the helmets in classrooms across Worcestershire, Gloucestershire, Wiltshire, Bristol, South Gloucestershire, Bath and North Somerset, reaching almost 500 pupils.

Platform is part of the Community Rail Network, a non-profit organisation that brings together over 70 community rail partnerships, station friends and social enterprises. The network is dedicated to supporting groups and partnerships that connect their community with the railway and the social benefits it can offer. Since early 2022, Platform has been delivering in-school workshops around rail safety, understanding

sustainable and healthy travel, and how to feel confident using trains.

Máedóc Ellis, Network Rail’s community support manager for community rail, said: “I’m so pleased that we’ve been able to support the valuable work of Platform with the donation of safety helmets.

“The safety of people on and around the railway is always our priority and education is key to keeping people safe – especially for young people.

“I hope that we can continue to work with Platform to support in-school activities and workshops and that the pupils who are able

Phil Campbell, ScotRail Head of Customer Operations, said:

“It’s great to see our Class 385 fleet and the Glasgow – Edinburgh mainline come to life in Train Sim World 3, following the successful addition of our Cathcart Line and former Class 314 fleet in the previous version of the game. We can’t wait to see what the players think as they take a virtual trip between Scotland’s two biggest cities on the newest trains in the ScotRail fleet.”

Jasper Holzapfel, Rivet Games Community Manager, said: “As a Scottish studio, we’re more than excited about this release. Recreating a route many of us often use was particularly fun and interesting. Combined with the modern Class 385, we can’t wait for our community to get their hands on this!”

to get involved feel inspired by the interactive sessions.”

Emilie Dawson, Platform’s learning development manager, said: “We are extremely grateful for the helmets donated by Network Rail. We try to make our workshops fun, interactive, and engaging and letting students get dressed up at the end of a session is a big part of this.

“The helmets have already travelled with us into a number of schools and have visited almost 500 young people. On top of being an integral part of our safety workshop, the helmets are used – with other pieces of uniform – to highlight and promote rail industry careers, and it is wonderful to see children being interested in this.”

© ScotRail

New trains hit Liverpool tracks

Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram hailed Monday 23 January as a “massive day, not just for our area, but for the entire country” as the first of the region’s new £500 million trains came into passenger service for the first time.

There was a huge sense of excitement as Mayor Rotheram was joined by passengers, residents and rail enthusiasts alike on the Kirkby line to mark this landmark occasion that sees the half a billion-pound investment in rail services come to life.

Commenting on the launch of the new fleet Mayor Steve Rotheram said: “This is a massive day, not just for our area, but for the entire country, as we launch the UK’s first publiclyowned trains in a generation into service for the first time. Alongside the work we’re doing on buses, active travel and integrated ticketing, we’re bringing our transport network into the 21st century.

“Designed in consultation with local people, they’re some of the most accessible and sophisticated in the entire country, with great new features like level access with sliding step technology, more room for bikes and wheelchairs, phone charging and Wi-Fi onboard.

“This half a billion pound investment shows the difference devolution makes. We’re charting our own course, putting the public back into public transport and delivering the services that our region’s 1.6 million people deserve.”

The day marked the start of the phased rollout, with the Ormskirk line next to be introduced. The rest of the network across both the Northern and Wirral lines will follow later in the year.

The new trains webpage is full of information and will be kept up to date during the roll out of the fleet – you can find out more at: www.merseytravel.gov.uk/newtrains

GWR agrees to buy Vivarail assets

Great Western Railway has completed the purchase of a number of assets from emission-free battery and hybrid trains manufacturer Vivarail, which entered administration last December.

GWR has agreed contracts to buy intellectual property, rolling stock and equipment relating to the development of high-performance battery and FastCharge technology designed to support wider introduction of battery-powered trains on the UK’s rail network.

The deal secures the future of planned trials of the technology in a real-world environment, which GWR was supporting between West Ealing and Greenford.

The company has also employed nine former Vivarail staff to support the trials and project development.

GWR Engineering Director Simon Green said: “We’ve been working closely with the Vivarail team on this exciting project for some time, and we are delighted we have been able to step in and make sure its important work can continue.

“There have clearly been some setbacks that mean we will need to review the existing plans and timescales, but we will continue to work with Network Rail and the Department for Transport to get the project back on track.

Transport Secretary promises transformational change

Transport Secretary Mark Harper yesterday pledged to transform the UK’s railways as he set out his long-term vision.

Speaking at the annual George Bradshaw Address in London on 7 February, Bradshaw accepted that fundamental reform of the railways is urgently required and outlined how the government’s Plan for Rail will achieve this.

“The railways, quite frankly aren’t fit for purpose,” he said, “and are currently mired in industrial action, routinely letting passengers and freight customers down, and historically unable to deliver major improvements at good value for the taxpayer.

“We have a broken model unable to adapt to customer needs and financially unsustainable. Left untreated, we will drive passengers away with poor performance, which leads to fewer services, which will drive more passengers away and so on and so on.”

Harper confirmed that Great British Railways (GBR) will be established, taking charge of timetables, setting ticket prices, collecting revenue and managing rail infrastructure in England. The host city of the organisation will be announced “before Easter”.

“The industry has long called for a guiding mind to co-ordinate the network,” he said “so GBR will be responsible for track and train, as well as revenue and cost. It means finally treating the railway as the whole system it should be, rather than a web of disparate interests that it’s become.”

He also vowed to enhance the role of the private sector, “Not just in running services, but in maximising competition, innovation, and revenue growth right across the industry, benefits the private sector has delivered time and again.”

GBR will not be “Network Rail 2.0, nor a return to British Rail,” he said, stressing that the organisation is not a step towards nationalisation. “Taking politics out of the railways is the only way to build a truly commercially led industry.”

The Transport Secretary also used his speech to confirm an extension of Pay-As-Go ticketing.

“Ticket prices should also be fairer, but often there is little difference between the cost of a single or a return, with operators unable to significantly reduce prices on quieter services,” he said.

“So first of all, after LNER’s successful single leg pricing trial, we’ll extend it to other parts of the LNER network from the Spring and then carefully consider before extending more widely.

“It means a flexible single fare will always be half the cost of the equivalent return, giving passengers more flexibility and better value. This is not about increasing fares, I just want passengers to benefit from simpler ticketing that meets their needs.”

QTS recognised by Investors in Young People

QTS Group has become the first rail company to be awarded the Platinum Investors in Young People good practice award, one of only eight businesses in Scotland to hold this coveted title.

The rail infrastructure contractor, headquartered in Drumclog, took part in the comprehensive three-month process, which saw over 50 young people and stakeholders from around the business, be interviewed about their pathways and their experiences within QTS.

From this, the team from Investors in Young People found that QTS had a continuous commitment to attracting, supporting, recruiting, developing, and retaining young people. As a platinum employer, QTS was also noted for its strong engagement with education and youth employment providers, leading to measurable improvements in education, learning, and employment opportunities for young people.

“I am incredibly proud to be the only rail business in Scotland to have achieved this accolade,” said QTS managing director, Alan McLeish. “Our people are the lifeblood of our business and to be recognised for the investment we make into the future of industry, via our young people, is a tremendous achievement.

“In 2022, QTS celebrated 30 years in business, so to end the year with such a fantastic endorsement of our commitment to young people is a real testament to the work that we do to attract and retain talent, not only to our business, but to the rail industry too.”

Practitioner Nicola Dillon praised QTS’s achievement: “On behalf of Investors in People Community Interest Company I would like to wholeheartedly congratulate QTS on achieving the prestigious IIYP Platinum accreditation. QTS are an ambassador for employing young people and are an employer for the sector to be benchmarked against.

“What stands out is their companywide passion and commitment from the top down to grow their own and equip their young people to learn, develop, reach their full potential and have a rewarding career in the Rail Sector. Their focus on empowering young people to have a voice to make a difference and having a strong culture of mental health and financial wellbeing is also exemplary.”

the best

NEWS IN BRIEF

Change of plan

HS2 is engaging local communities to discuss proposed changes to its construction designs to reduce future flood impacts in West Didsbury.

HS2 has worked closely with the Environment Agency to understand the widespread flooding impacts in West Didsbury, with a specific focus on the aftermath of Storm Christoph, Storm Eunice and Storm Franklin.

HS2 is proposing to relocate the Palatine Road vent shaft required for the Manchester tunnel, reducing flooding impacts on neighbouring properties.

Cambridge re-signalling

One of the largest re-signalling schemes undertaken in the UK, the Cambridge Re-signalling project, will be supported by digital infrastructure specialists Telent. The project will improve the reliability of the infrastructure and provide more certainty of trains running on time.

Telent’s customer, Alstom, was awarded a contract in early 2022 to replace the 40-year-old signalling system which covers 125 route miles in the Cambridge area. Telent’s selection as Alstom’s telecoms partner for Cambridge builds on their experience of working with Alstom to deploy their Smart Lock solution on the Paddington to Reading (P2R) project.

Back on schedule

The Office of Rail and Road has secured key improvements to how Avanti passengers plan and book their journeys.

This follows a call from the rail regulator for immediate improvement to Avanti’s timetable recovery plan, after its initial improvements stalled.

Avanti’s more resilient recovery plan shows a pathway to full and sustained recovery to producing and finalising timetables in line with current industry norms by mid-May.

Raging Bull

Plans are being finalised to make Birmingham New Street station the new home of the Commonwealth Games’ Raging Bull.

A photo montage of how the Bull could look when in place under Birmingham New Street’s atrium roof has also been released.

Network Rail has worked closely with Birmingham 2022, Birmingham City Council and the West Midlands Combined Authority to make New Street the beloved Bull’s permanent home right in the heart of the city centre.

Elizabeth line clocks one million journeys

The Elizabeth line, which stretches from Reading and Heathrow in the west to Shenfield and Abbey Wood in the east, has now seen more than one hundred million journeys since opening in May 2022. Transport for London (TfL) data also revealed that ridership on the line is currently above expected levels with around 600,000 journeys made each day, meaning the railway is one of the busiest in the UK and is on track to break even by the end of the 2023/24 financial year.

The five most popular journeys made on the Elizabeth line all include Tottenham Court Road, with the most popular journey on the line being Tottenham Court Road to Stratford. The popularity of Tottenham Court Road has propelled the station into the top five most-used stations in the TfL network, above Waterloo and Liverpool Street stations. Since opening, the Elizabeth line has proven to be one of the most reliable railways in the country. Data from the most recent four-week period shows an overall industry performance rating of nearly 93 per cent, compared to the average industry performance of 78.5 per cent. Customer satisfaction for the line has to date also been extremely high. According to TfL’s Customer Satisfaction Survey, the Elizabeth line achieved the highest score across all

TfL services between July and September last year.

On 21 May, TfL will introduce the final version of the Elizabeth line timetable as planned, and the Elizabeth line will have increased the capacity of central London’s rail network by around 10 per cent since opening. The service in the central section between Paddington and Whitechapel will increase to up to 24 trains per hour during the peak and initially 16 trains per hour off-peak. At this point, some direct services will be introduced from Shenfield to Heathrow Airport in the off-peak. The final timetable, which was published and confirmed by Network Rail earlier this week, will also remove any significant dwell times for trains between Paddington and Acton Main Line which have been in place since November 2022.

Howard Smith, TfL’s Director of the Elizabeth line, said: “It has been amazing to see the incredible reception the Elizabeth line has received. Our new railway has truly transformed life and travel in London and the South East by dramatically improving transport links, cutting journey times, providing additional capacity, and transforming accessibility. My team and I are already focused on continuing to improve things for our customers and we look forward to welcoming the next one hundred million journeys and beyond.”

Lowestoft station unveils Kindertransport mural

by Norwich-based James Mingay.

Attending the unveiling at Lowestoft station on January 27 were Waveney constituency MP Peter Aldous, Mayor of Lowestoft Cllr Alan Green, Cllr Andy Pearce, Greater Anglia area manager James Reeve and Community Rail development officer Martin Halliday along with representatives from the Lowestoft Journal, the Wherry Lines Community Rail Partnership, East Suffolk Lines Community Rail Partnership, Network Rail, the Lowestoft Central Project and members of the Jewish community.

An interpretation panel retelling the events of the 1938 Kindertransport arrival in Lowestoft has been unveiled at the town’s railway station as people from the community gathered to mark Holocaust Memorial Day on 27 January.

On 12 December 1938, over 500 mostly Jewish children arrived in Lowestoft from Vienna, having been rescued from Nazi oppression. On arrival they were accommodated at Pakefield Holiday Camp before moving on to more permanent accommodation, around 300 more children arrived in the town a few days later.

The panel contains details of their journey across Europe by both rail and steamship, their arrival in Lowestoft, where the children were

met by the mayor, and information relating to the circumstances which prompted their evacuation and how this was achieved. In addition, the Lowestoft Journal gave permission to include part of the original newspaper article featuring the Kindertransport arrival from an edition published in December 1938 which also included a special greeting published in both German and English.

The Wherry Lines Community Rail Partnership (CRP) together with the Lowestoft Central Project arranged for the panel to be produced and installed with support from Lowestoft Town Council, Network Rail, Greater Anglia and the Northern Line Group of the East Suffolk Line CRP. Content for the panel was researched by local historian and town councillor, Andy Pearce and designed

Landslip highlights importance of resilience upgrades

Network Rail is undertaking the mammoth task of installing 27,000 square metres of a new rock-mesh-system along a three-mile section of the Newport to Gloucester railway line, including at the location of a recent landslip.

The Severn Estuary Railway Line is particularly vulnerable to landslips due to its exposed location. In 2021, Network Rail announced the £25 million project to enhance resilience of this vital passenger and freight route with its Severn Estuary Resilience Programme.

The project began in Summer 2022 and will continue from Summer 2023. The investment will ensure this vital railway link is protected from the effects of climate change for generations to come.

Network Rail was alerted to the movement of earth by its state-of-the-art slope monitoring system, on Wednesday 4 January, following a bout of prolonged and heavy rain.

Over the next four days, rope access teams worked around the clock to descale the 100ft cliff face, near Purton, by hand and remove the large amount of soil and rock from the tracks.

The extreme rain caused a culvert to collapse and washed away four-tonnes of ballast - the stones beneath the tracks - with engineers carrying out repairs to both in the coming days. Concrete ‘legado blocks’ were also installed at the bottom of the slopes to prevent further debris from reaching the track.

Lowestoft Town Councillor, Andy Pearce said, “It was a privilege to be asked to research content for the panel, retelling the harrowing circumstances that led to the Kindertransport initiative and those amazing individuals that played such a significant role in helping these children escape oppression, enabling them to forge new lives in a free world. “The installation of the panel at Lowestoft railway station will give a lasting reminder of the role played by Lowestoft and hopefully inform future generations about the background to and incredible achievement of the Kindertransport.”

The panel is the latest in a series installed by the Lowestoft Central Project and Wherry Lines Community Rail Partnership which have included the story of the 1940 Lowestoft schools evacuation and a special timeline unveiled in May 2022 celebrating 175 years since the railway first reached the town.

Northern recruitment drive targets drivers and conductors

Northern is looking to recruit as many as 280 drivers and conductors across the North of England in 2023.

New recruits are being recruited as part of a natural replenishment of the workforce as other team members retire, earn promotion, or move on to the next stage of their career outside Northern. They’ll join the team responsible for running Northern’s more than 2,500 services a day to more than 500 stations.

Both roles require no previous rail experience, with full training at Northern’s academies in Leeds and Manchester provided.

The driver roles, which are based in Carlisle, Darlington, Hull, Leeds, Newcastle, Sheffield, Skipton and York, come with a starting salary of £23,000 a year, rising to £54,500 once fully qualified.

The conductor roles are based in Carlisle, Doncaster, Harrogate, Huddersfield, Hull, Leeds, Middlesbrough, Newcastle, Sheffield, Skipton and York, with salaries starting at £22,000, rising to £29,000 once fully qualified.

“These are fantastic roles for anyone passionate about helping connect people and places across the region,” said Tricia Williams, chief operating officer at Northern. “We’ll be recruiting throughout the year – so people should register for job alerts on our website.”

With such a large employee intake on the horizon, Northern is actively encouraging women to apply as part of a push to improve the male-female balance of its workforce. They

Major investment for VLR

The Coventry Very Light Rail (CVLR) transport system is to be showcased on the streets of Coventry as part of a realworld testing programme following the approval of funding by regional transport bosses.

The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) Board has agreed the first instalment of an expected £72 million investment in the emerging VLR technology – designed to be both faster and cheaper to build than traditional tram and rail systems.

The Board’s green light will also enable specialist on-site testing for other VLR systems to move forward.

With development already underway in Coventry and Dudley, the West Midlands is at the forefront of VLR and well placed to become a global leader in both design and manufacture.

Using light weight, batterypowered electric vehicles the Coventry VLR system operates without overhead cables and its innovative track is designed

to require less extensive foundation works, making installation quicker and less expensive while delivering similar environmental benefits.

Much of the new investment will be used to build a realworld demonstration track in Coventry city centre and to develop the business case for a fully operational system.

There will also be further investment in the newly opened Very Light Rail National Innovation Centre (VLRNIC) in Dudley, enabling the purchase of equipment so that the centre can become fully operational. The funding will also be used to explore the business cases for further VLR lines and links with the existing West Midlands Metro network.

A total of £72 million has been earmarked for the project from the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement. The first £36.8 million agreed by the Board today, which is enough to get the projects well underway, will now go to the Department for Transport for final sign off.

are also seeking to attract more applicants from under-represented ethnicities to ensure they reflect the communities Northern serves.

Tina added: “The rail industry has made great strides in many areas of diversity in recent years – but there is still much to be done. Drivers and conductors represent a huge proportion of our workforce – if we can attract more people from a wider range of ethnicities and women into these roles, that’ll make a real difference.”

Millions awarded for levelling up

The Rail Industry has welcomed a government announcement confirming that £672 million worth of levelling up funding will be invested to develop better transport links across the UK.

Key rail projects which will see funding as part of the package include:

• Peterborough Station

Enhancements and Connectivity: Nearly £48 million to build a new entrance and footbridge for Peterborough train station.

• Cardiff Crossrail Phase 1: £50 million for Crossrail Cardiff which will help deliver a new line between Cardiff Bay and Cardiff Central Station.

• Mid Cornwall Metro: Nearly £50 million to create a direct train service linking Newquay, St Austell, Truro, and Falmouth alongside better walking and cycling access to stations.

Responding to the announcement, RIA Midlands & Eastern Lead, Milda Manomaityte, said:

“This is great news for the Midlands & Eastern regions as rail investment enhances connectivity, spurs economic growth, supports jobs and generates tax revenue. £2.50 of income is generated in the wider economy for every £1 spent.”

Nationally, more than 100 projects have been awarded a share of £2.1 billion from round two of the Government’s fund to create jobs and boost the economy.

“Through greater investment in local areas, we can grow the economy, create good jobs and spread opportunity everywhere. That’s why we are backing more than 100 projects with new transformational funding to level up local communities across the United Kingdom.” said Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

© Northern

The first of Transport for Wales’ (TfW) brand new £800 million fleet of trains was officially launched by Lesley Griffiths MS at a ceremony in North Wales today (26 January).

Built in Wales by CAF, the new Class 197 trains will become the backbone of TfW’s services across the length and breadth of the Wales and Borders network in the coming years.

Offering leather seats, modern air conditioning systems, wider doors, and

TfW launches new Class 197

not only be used by Welsh passengers but were also made in Wales.”

Providing an increase in capacity and enhanced comfort onboard, the new trains will allow TfW to run faster and more frequent services to destinations such as Holyhead, Fishguard and Liverpool.

The 77 trains (51 two-car and 26 three-car) being built by CAF have also been fitted with electronic charging points and disability features for those with limited mobility.

James Price, Transport for Wales CEO, said: “The official launch of the Class 197s is a landmark day in the history of Transport for Wales and the Welsh rail industry, with the unveiling of the first brand new trains in Wales in a generation.

customer information screens, the brandnew trains will play a key role in TfW’s plans to transform the customer experience on its services.

The Deputy Minister for Climate Change with responsibility for Transport, Lee Waters said: “This is great news. Funded by our £800 million investment in a new fleet of trains, the Class 197s play an important part in our plans to transform rail services in Wales.

“Having travelled on the Class 197s, I can vouch for the greater comfort, speed, and capacity offered by these new trains that will

“The construction of our new trains has been four years in the making, and we’re incredibly proud and excited to formally welcome passengers onto them. The trains will be an important part of the transformation of the Wales and Borders network and will enable us to run more services and carry more customers in comfort.

“It’s also important to recognise that these trains have been made in Wales at the CAF factory in Newport and the building of them has provided jobs and supported the local economy.”

The Class 197s will sit alongside the 71 brand new trains and tram-trains being built for the South Wales Metro, the first of which has recently entered into passenger service.

Network Rail and Varamis Rail partner on zero-carbon freight

Network Rail and Varamis Rail, the UK’s newest train operator, have worked together to launch an innovative, zerocarbon freight service.

The service, which launched in January, runs between Scotland and the Midlands, Monday to Friday. Targeted at express parcels and third-party delivery companies, it primarily deals with next day delivery of consumer goods.

Industry partner, Eversholt Rail, has converted a number of fully electric 4-car trains formerly used in passenger service to enable them to carry freight while Network Rail provided the necessary operating licenses, contracts, and train paths for the service to operate. This followed trial operations of the service, which commenced in October 2022, to test the robustness and practicality of the service, and enabled logistics companies to test the service.

Georgie Newby, Network Rail’s senior commercial and customer relationship manager, said: “I’m delighted that we’ve been able to support the launch of this innovative new service from the latest Freight Operating

Company to join the network. It is the result of hard work and dedication across multiple organisations, all working closely together to deliver a great, zero carbon service for logistics companies to use. We look forward to delivering other innovations to keep growing the amount of parcel logistics transported by rail.”

Varamis Rail’s managing director, Phil Read, added: “As the UK’s newest Train Operator, Varamis Rail is keen to promote the sustainable benefits that the railway has to offer to the UK economy along with Network Rail. The increase in online shopping

and home deliveries over recent years has accelerated the demand to find a more environmentally friendly solution to moving our parcels, products, or light goods around the UK; one solution is the electrified rail network.”

The new service, which launched on 9 January, is fully electric, supports Network Rail and the rest of the rail industry, as an environmentally friendly alternative to road haulage. It gives access to urban rail stations located within the heart of city centres and is expected to benefit the rail industry in the future as an example of best practice.

© TfW

TÜV Rheinland has acquired the UK railway clearance company D/Gauge. The UK company and its 28 employees will become a subsidiary of TÜV Rheinland UK and fully integrated into its existing structure.

D/Gauge is regarded as the leading UK consultancy and software company for the analysis of clearances. This essential service enables the safe integration and assurance of railway assets.

“D/Gauge’s services perfectly complement our portfolio, which has already been confirmed in numerous joint customer projects in the UK,” says Dr Matthias Schubert, executive vice president mobility of TÜV Rheinland.

“We both serve many common key accounts, such as Network Rail, Hitachi, and others. The merger will further strengthen our customer offering.”

Based in the Midlands, D/Gauge was founded as a family business by Dr David Johnson in 2008. Over the years D/Gauge has established itself as a highly innovative and fastgrowing niche company.

Having proven its technology in the UK rail sector, co-founder Colin Johnson is excited that

TÜV Rheinland acquires D/Gauge

this move will accelerate international growth. He explained: “This acquisition opens the door to new opportunities and prospects for everyone involved, and I’m thrilled to receive the backing of TÜV Rheinland in our next chapter.”

The outstanding functionality of D/Gauge’s in-house developed simulation tools are seeing strong growth in demand. Together with

Northern stations get life-saving equipment

Life-saving defibrillators have been installed across every Northern train station across South Yorkshire.

The scheme was partly funded by South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority (SYMCA) and has seen a total of 36 new defibrillators installed in the last few months of 2022.

Every defibrillator has step-by-step, spoken word instructions built-in to it which explain how to use it on someone in an emergency.

Computers inside the defibrillators work to analyse a person’s heart rhythms to find out if an electric shock is needed. Electrodes then automatically deliver the shock if required.

All of the life-saving units have been added to the national register and training will be offered by the local ambulance service to station staff along with local communities.

Tony Baxter, regional director at Northern, said: “All our defibrillators are in public places, and they are of huge benefit, not only to those travelling with us, but also the communities we serve.

“We plan to continue to introduce life-saving defibrillators at even more of our stations. I would like to thank SYMCA for their help in making this happen.”

Northern installed more than 100 defibrillators across its stations in the North of England last year.

consulting services, it is expected to become a cornerstone for the successful implementation of the digitisation strategy of TÜV Rheinland’s rail business.

“D/Gauge’s software solutions promise tremendous scalability based on an excellent customer network and can also be easily scaled internationally through our wellestablished sales channels”, said Dr Schubert.

Northern recognised for gender equality

Train operator Northern has been recognised by a leading equality organisation for its work to address the gender imbalance in the rail industry.

Northern Power Women, a leading equality campaign group, has shortlisted Northern as the ‘Large Organisation of the Year’ at its upcoming 2023 awards.

It is the second year running that Northern has been shortlisted for the award.

Announcing the shortlist, Northern Power Women praised Northern for its commitment to developing an inclusive culture in the workplace by demonstrating a forward-thinking approach to recruitment, development, and retention of talent.

Tricia Williams, chief operating officer at Northern, said: “We’re thrilled to have been shortlisted for a Northern Power Women Award.

“We feel very strongly that equality, diversity, and inclusion is not limited to the work of our HR team - it’s a journey everyone at Northern needs to take together. As such, we work closely with colleagues from across the business, at all grades, to ensure progress made is visible to all.

“Northern has around 7,000 employees based across the North of England and despite an increase in the number of female employees by over 30% in recent years, women still only account for 18.72% of our workforce - so there is still much more to be done.”

The Northern Power Women Awards take place on Monday, 20 March in Manchester.

TBF offers financial and medical benefits, a wide range of complementary and alternative therapies, bereavement grants and welfare advice. Supporting members during times of need, hardship and distress for less than 20p per day. £1.25

INVESTING IN THE FUTURE OF SCOTLAND'S RAINFOREST

ALEX HYNES, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF SCOTLAND’S RAILWAY, SHEDS LIGHT ON AN INDUSTRY-LEADING TWO-YEAR PILOT PROJECT TO ENHANCE NATURAL HABITATS NEAR THE ICONIC GLENFINNAN VIADUCT.

Network Rail Scotland (NRS) is committing £329,000 for Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) – the Scottish Government agency responsible for managing Scotland’s national forests – to complete the most ambitious biodiversity enhancement project that Scotland’s Railway has ever undertaken.

The project area sits within Scotland’s endangered Atlantic rainforest zone. Alongside FLS, NRS has agreed to

the pilot project that will see a range of activities to protect, restore, and expand rainforest and peatland habitats over an area of around 200 hectares which will be seen by passengers travelling on the Mallaig Line.

BALANCING BIODIVERSITY

The project will help to compensate for biodiversity lost during our ongoing tree and vegetation management programme. It will allow NRS to balance the removal of trees and vegetation elsewhere on the railway on a scale that would not be possible by replanting purely within its own boundaries.

FLS has the expertise, knowledge, systems and processes to deliver Scotland’s Railway’s sustainability objectives in a robust and demonstrable way. In addition, the land where the work will take place is owned by FLS and forms part of the dramatic setting of the Glenfinnan viaduct.

The project will support the protection, enhancement, and expansion of habitats including nationally and internationally designated sites managed by FLS. The long-term result of this activity is expected to be an uplift in biodiversity across the project area which forms part of the dramatic setting of the Glenfinnan viaduct.

PHASE ONE

The first phase of works began in mid-January 2023 and consists of clearing and removing non-native species such as rhododendron across woodland and peatland habitats by hand. Rhododendron and selfseeded non-native conifers are threatening the rainforest and peatland habitats. Seeds blow in from neighbouring gardens and plantations can quickly take over, blocking light, upsetting delicate nutrient and water cycles, and changing the ecosystem so it no longer supports the abundance, diversity, and rarity of the species found in Scotland’s rainforest.

The Network Rail funded activity will help to remove

threats to vulnerable and internationally important woodland and peatland habitats. This will have major benefits for biodiversity, communities, visitors, climate resilience and carbon storage for generations to come The longer-term objective is to restore ecosystem processes over 10 years to support full habitat recovery and the ongoing resilience of Scotland’s rainforest.

The project provides a route towards compliance with the recommendations of the Varley review – a paper which laid out how effectively Network Rail manages lineside vegetation on its estate – and has been endorsed by Transport Scotland. It will also meet Network

Rail’s mandatory compliance standards.

Rail is already one of the greenest forms of transport and Network Rail is committed to working to reduce the industry’s impact on the environment through further electrification of its network and also by supporting innovative projects like this one.

ABOUT THE AREA

FLS manages national forest land neighbouring the iconic railway line from Fort William to Mallaig, and Drumfern to Callop Woods southeast of Glenfinnan. This land forms part of the dramatic setting of the Glenfinnan viaduct, and is highly visible from the train line. Areas within it are

accessible via footpaths from the Loch Shiel monument around 500 metres away.

The area is steeped in history and is rich in biodiversity, including six environmental and landscape designations. These designations from NatureScot reflect the fact that these are habitats of national and international importance.

The Glenfinnan sites are within Scotland’s rainforest zone which is the focus of a new largescale campaign to save this globally important habitat from extinction. Priority native habitats within Glenfinnan sites include the designated but threatened Caledonian pinewoods, Atlantic oak woods, ancient alder wet woodlands along the river, and recovering peatlands.

These habitats are home to a wide range of notable species such as otter, which is a European protected species, and UK priority butterflies such as the pearl-bordered fritillary and chequered skipper. Eagles and ospreys are a regular sight. There is not only scope to protect and enhance these existing priority areas, but also opportunities to expand these woodland and peatland habitats further still to increase resilience and aid recovery of biodiversity.

RBF: SUPPORTING STAFF THROUGH THE ENERGY CRISIS

As we finally start to emerge from the winter months, soaring energy costs remain a fact of life. Average energy prices in the UK increased by 27% in October and are due to increase a further 20% this April. Although the relatively mild weather was a relief for many, plenty of people are still forced to decide between heating and eating. Thankfully, the Railway Benefit Fund (RBF) is offering some support.

As we inch closer to Spring, RBF is reminding railway workers that they might be eligible for support with their energy bills. The charity’s Energy Support Fund offers recipients a grant of up to £200 to help with the cost of gas and electricity.

RBF has helped hundreds of households since the fund launched in April last year. It has been inundated with enquiries, highlighting a real need for support in the industry, and since October, over 60% of all grant applications made to RBF have been related to energy costs.

UNPRECEDENTED DEMAND

“The Energy Support Fund has been our most applied-for grant scheme since our launch in early 2022, with over 50% of all requests for financial support being for this fund,” says Ryan Morgan, RBF’s Services Manager. “We saw an unprecedented level of demand for the fund last year and predict this to continue throughout 2023.”

Recipients of the grants have found them to be a lifeline, especially deep in winter when Christmas piles on extra financial pressure. “I am a single parent who has to watch every penny,” says Claire, who recently reached out for help. “In the lead up to Christmas I wasn’t able to put on the heating to keep my children warm because I was already behind on my energy bills. My children had to get used to using blankets and putting on more layers of clothing, but since receiving the grant from RBF, I have been able to put the heating on and not worry about the cost as much.”

The combined crises of rising living and energy costs means RBF is seeing more and more rail workers seeking support, even those who once considered their financial situation as stable. “I have never

applied for help with anything before and always just struggled on,” says Claire, “so it was amazing to receive some support.” And often, when individuals seek help with heating their homes, further financial difficulties come to light.

GATEWAY TO SUPPORT

After assessing a number of applicants, RBF saw that many were in need of emergency support to put food on the table and buy everyday items. A third of all applicants to the Energy Support Fund have been in urgent need of further financial support, often due to mounting debts. Without hearing about the fund, these individuals may not have reached out for help at all.

“One concerning finding has been the number of cases that, when investigated, have been in need of critical financial support from RBF,” says Ryan. “Those who came to us for the Energy Support Fund have been supported in other ways. Over £50,000 in additional funding has been provided to help people out of energy debts, rent and mortgage arrears, moving costs, housing repairs, and more.

The fund has also been a useful gateway to help those in need access support from organisations other than the RBF. “We’ve referred applicants to our debt advice partners at Citizens Advice Manchester,” Ryan says, “as well as to other specialists like the National Energy Action (NEA) and to Government schemes they are entitled to. This has helped to get people thinking proactively about their finances and to reach out when they need support.”

As the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite, heating the home will remain a concern for countless families for some time to come. And with prices continuing to soar across the board, RBF predicts it will need to assist hundreds more railway people in the coming months. The charity encourages anyone struggling with energy costs to reach out today and speak to a member of their team.

To be eligible for the Energy Support Fund, applicants must have at least one years’ experience on UK railways, have a gross annual household income of less than £40,000, and have less than £3,000 in capital if a single person, or less than £5,000 if a couple. The grant is available to current, former, and retired railway workers. Each applicant will be offered budgeting advice through Manchester Citizens Advice to adjust to changing costs, as well as being signposted to other grants that they may be eligible for.

GET IN TOUCH

If you are facing financial distress, RBF can help. Its monetary grants and access to expert advice can help you overcome tough situations which may impact your financial, family, mental and physical well-being. The team can be contacted by phone or email and online at www.railwaybenefitfund.org.uk

Conversely, if you’d like to help make a difference to people’s lives, then contact the team. RBF would not be able to support its beneficiaries without the aid of generous donors and fundraisers. RBF is calling on everyone in the industry who wants to make a difference to donate towards its Energy Support Fund, so it can continue to help those in crisis.

www.justgiving.com/campaign/energysupportfund

SAFETY STEPPING UP ELECTRICAL

NETWORK

Electrical Safety is a key priority for Network Rail. Over the last five years, the industry has seen four concerning electrical safetyrelated incidents which have resulted in life-changing injuries. Network Rail wants everyone to go home safe every day and to eliminate the belief that ‘accidents just happen’. In support of its ongoing programme to improve electrical safety, Network Rail launched its Electrical Safety Step Up in January 2023, to strengthen the culture of safety for staff working with, or near, High Voltage traction power, as well as office-based personnel who are involved in the planning of work.

The Step Up is an interactive, 90-minute safety event that guides participants through a series of films and discussions around safety culture. The sessions focus on the importance of safety rules and processes, the consequences of not obeying these rules, and recognising good practice. They drive home the message that the behaviour of those working on the track is key to reducing accidents and encourage workers to talk openly about how their actions have an impact on everyone’s overall safety.

CASE STUDIES

The Electrical Safety Step Up is delivered with the aid of a number of safety videos, including

scenarios looking at working with High Voltage (HV) Distribution, Overhead Line Equipment (OLE), and DC Conductor Rail Equipment.

The sessions also feature an interview with Bryant Latham, a retired Engineering Specialist who, in September 1981 received an electric shock while repairing overhead cables. Bryant was reaching to take a piece of equipment when his arm touched a live tube and, because he was earthed, 25,000 V shot through him.

“There was just a bang, flash, and a pain I can’t describe to you,” says Bryant. “It was like being microwaved. I remember the smell of burning.”

Bryant fell to the track below, damaging his back and feels the pain of that injury to this day. He suffered burns to his chest, scarring, and remembers that his young children were unable to hug him because of his injuries.

Although his body healed, Bryant was not prepared for the mental injuries he sustained, and it was a long while before he sought help. “I’d never heard of PTSD,” he says. “Today it’s a constant mental battle I have with myself about not getting help sooner.”

RAIL HAS LAUNCHED ITS ELECTRICAL SAFETY STEP UP TO STRENGTHEN THE CULTURE OF SAFETY AMONG STAFF WORKING WITH OR NEAR ELECTRICITY.

High voltage. High risk. Step Up to Electrical Safety

Though Bryant survived his accident, his story provides a reminder to all about the dangers of working with electricity.

KEY AIMS

By the end of each Step Up session, each participant should understand where the actions and behaviours of the individuals or teams in each video scenario has created an unsafe environment or led to safety incidents. Attendees are expected to leave with a full awareness of the importance of electrical safety and appreciate why they must always follow safety procedures.

The Step Up drives home the message of ‘Choose to Challenge’

and the idea that every employee is empowered to question and challenge poor safety, whether that be behaviour, process, planning, or ability. Participants are encouraged to make a personal commitment to building and continuing to challenge unsafe processes or behaviour in the workplace and leading by example in how they behave.

“To get everyone home safe every day requires more than just the tools, skills and processes for the job, it requires us to challenge and to feel happy being challenged,” says Felix Langley, Network Technical Head Power Distribution HV/LV. “It requires us to listen and learn from our colleagues and requires us to look

out for each other at all times. If we all work together on this we can make a real difference.”

But although the sessions emphasise responsibility, they do not assign blame. Each of the scenario videos highlights the time pressures that track workers are under and how this can lead to accidents which cause serious injury. The Step Up aims to tackle the culture that rail workers can ‘get the job done’ no matter what, and underscore the importance of taking a step back, assessing the situation, and proceeding with care.

Equally, employees also need to believe their concerns are being heard and the Step Up aims to help create a culture where management and leadership teams actively listen to what they are being told by employees and take what they hear seriously.

WORD FROM THE TOP

Introducing the sessions, Andrew Haines, chief executive at Network Rail, emphasises the responsibility that workers have to keeping themselves and everyone on their teams safe.

“We’ve seen real injuries in the last few years from people who’ve encountered our electrical assets when that

shouldn’t have been the case, when that needn’t have been the case, and we as a system have let them down.

“And that’s why we’re undertaking this Step Up. Because we want to explore with everyone involved, the risks of not putting our safety first, and what we can all do as individuals to keep ourselves and our colleagues safe from harm.”

EVERYONE HOME SAFELY

Ultimately, the Electrical Step Up is designed to share ideas, develop the skills that many workers already have, and increase their confidence in challenging co-workers and superiors when situations don’t look or feel safe. Doing this takes courage, and the Step Up aims to give workers the tools they need to handle these situations with confidence, and foster a culture where questions about health and safety are part of everyday conversations. At the end of the day, every day, workers want to go home to their friends and families safely.

For more information about the Electrical Safety Step Up, please contact electricalculture@ networkrail.co.uk or see the Safety Central page.

2023 MOVING FORWARD IN

As we enter 2023, my aspiration for this year is to see an end to industrial disputes and for our railways to move forward and lead the changes we all need to see, by reducing greenhouse gas emissions resulting from the transporting of goods and people.

The planned establishment of Great British Railways is a continuing saga. Any new organisation needs to quickly build a team spirit and commitment. To a surprising degree, many of the strengths and the commitment of rail staff with British Rail was carried over into Railtrack and its successor Network Rail. Significantly, the Zones created share similarities with the British Rail organisation I worked in. We all have high expectations for the creation of GBR but, when it comes into being, winning over the hearts and minds of all who work on our railways will be no easy task.

PAST PRACTICES

When I started work on the railway as a new graduate in civil engineering, I was initially drafted into a few months of manual track work, which came as a surprise. The buzz words were ‘mechanised maintenance’ but only the smallest and most basic tamping machines were in use. Most of the weekday work was done manually with lookouts whilst trains were running.

After a couple of weeks or so, my ganger told me that we had a day off on the following Thursday. I asked why and was told it was the usual practice to allow his fellow track workers to attend the funeral for a work colleague who had been knocked down by a train and killed. From the matter-of-fact tone of his answer, it was clear that there was a degree of acceptance that such accidents were inevitable.

From the sub-ganger I learnt the way in which what was described as ‘the lie sheet’ needed to be filled in detailing what work had been done. This was so that trained work study technical staff could calculate bonus payments based on allowed minutes for tasks that were added to the weekly pay. Since I was not a listed gang member, any useful work I did enhanced the bonus payments of the gang members. In some ways Human Factors, I suggest is a development from work study principles.

FREIGHT TRAIN DERAILMENTS

Whilst hoping that the workload of the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) will progressively reduce, I have seen little evidence of this happening. Currently, as I write in late-January 2023, 13 accidents and incidents, are still listed as “investigating” on the RAIB website and two more are still marked as “consulting”.

The oldest in the “investigating” list relates to a freight train derailment accident resulting in track damage between Pancoed and

Llanharan. The accident occurred on 6 March 2021. An interim report about the collision between two passenger trains at Salisbury Tunnel was published on 21 February last year and updated on 31 October.

On Christmas Eve 2021, a freight train derailment occurred at London Gateway. The investigation is still listed as “investigating”. It seems right to be careful and carry out thorough investigations as necessary, and to consult with those involved in accidents, but I am left wondering whether legal processes have caused such lengthy delays and if is this good for the industry. Surely, a two-year delay is far too long? Could anyone justify such a delay if a second accident happened in the meantime which would, in all probability, have been avoided if the earlier investigation and recommendations had already been concluded?

TRACK WORKERS NEAR MISS

According to an RAIB news report, on 15 November last year there was a near miss reported involving track workers at Orton Sewer Bulkington. The report refers to a train speed of 125mph and the use of a “safe system of work being used to keep the workers away from the open line”.

SIGNAL PASSED AT DANGER!

On 26 October, at South Wingfield between Derby and Chesterfield, a train passed successive signals each

Colin Wheeler.

showing green proceed aspects, but then unexpectedly encountered a signal showing a red aspect. It was travelling at 110mph and unsurprisingly passed the signal by 760 metres at 07:02. The signal passed at red had been disconnected and reconnected the previous night as part of planned track maintenance work. At 07:07 a following passenger train left Belper, its driver having been instructed by the signaller to proceed at reduced speed. This second train reached the signal that had been passed at danger at 07:19. By that time it was showing a yellow caution aspect.

After passing it at just 20mph the driver of the second train saw the tail lights of the earlier train which was now stationary. He

stopped his train leaving the trains some 75 yards apart but within the same signal section. The RAIB news story says that the signal passed at danger had been disconnected and later reconnected the previous night as part of the works. It adds that the signal, “had been placed back into service with a fault resulting in a wrong side failure with the signals red and yellow aspects displayed incorrectly.”

After a preliminary examination RAIB decided to publish a Safety Digest. However, it has reconsidered and “having assessed further evidence that has come to light since this decision” has now decided to carry out an investigation.” This will seek to identify the sequence of events that led to the

wrong side failure of the signal. It will include “consideration of the roles, responsibilities and competence management of the staff involved, the factors that influenced their actions and the testing processes followed for the planned overnight work to the signalling equipment.” It will also consider underlying management factors, including the rail industry response to RAIB’s recommendations made in its report 15/2017 on Cardiff East Junction and 19/2018 on Waterloo.

FREIGHT DRIVER RECEIVES SUSPENDED SENTENCE

On 23 January it was reported that a train driver who was working for DB Cargo on 23 March 2022 was sending and receiving phone messages whilst driving his locomotive. Reading a picture message on his mobile phone he ran into a siding buffer stop at Bromsgrove and his train derailed. It partially obstructed the adjacent main line. A passing Cross Country passenger train then struck his locomotive and considerable damage was caused to both the locomotive and the passenger train.

(pictured left)

In court, the freight train driver was found guilty of breaching Section 7a of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. He was sentenced to eight months imprisonment suspended for 18 months. The prosecution was brought by the ORR.

Judge Cartwright said: “luckily there were only six people on board, the guard, driver and four passengers” He added that if the locomotive had derailed a little further over there would have been a head on collision and he would have been killed.”

IMPROVEMENT NOTICES ISSUED BY THE ORR LAST YEAR

Blackpool

On 5 December 2022, the Office for Rail and Road (ORR) issued an Improvement Notice on Blackpool Transport Services requiring its compliance by 30 January this year. The notice states that they had not carried out “suitable and sufficient assessments of risk”, referring to the use of substances hazardous to health.

Greater Manchester

Earlier, on 24 October 2022, the ORR issued an improvement notice on Transport for Greater Manchester Ltd specifying compliance by 30 April 2024. This notice states that it had failed to demonstrate “effective measures to prevent trams derailing and/or overturning due to overspeed at high-risk locations including tight radius curves so far as it is reasonably practicable”.

Transport for Greater Manchester was also issued with another notice on 24 October last year. This one also has a compliance date of 30 April 2024. It states that it “failed to demonstrate implementing effective measures to prevent trams derailing and/ or overturning due to driver inattentiveness, so far as is reasonably practicable”.

Channel Tunnel

The Channel Tunnel Group Ltd and France Marche SA were, on 10 August last year, also issued with improvement notices requiring them to ensure “effective arrangements to ensure the review of risk assessments”.

RAIL SAFETY SUMMIT

I look forward to seeing you at this year’s Rail Safety Summit. I am pleased to say that, for the first time at the event, we have the Chief Scientific Adviser to the Department for Transport as a speaker. Professor Sarah Sharples is also the Professor of Human Factors in the Faculty of Engineering at Nottingham University. The discipline of Human Factors covers ergonomics, and both psychological and physiological principles as they relate to engineering design, processes, and systems. The motivation is to improve the interactions between people and engineering systems and improve safety by so doing. Professor Sharples will certainly add a new dimension to the day.

Safety Summit

Book your delegate place or contact us for sponsorship opportunities at this essential rail event

Call 01530 816 456 visit railsummits.com email events@rail-media.com

Rail Safety

Summit 2023

14th March

Holywell Park Conference Centre

Loughborough University

We’re used to hearing phrases like ‘Safety First’. They’re a reminder that safety is never off the agenda.

Britain’s railways have maintained an enviable safety record in recent years, but reports of incidents and near misses demonstrate that there is room for improvement.

Register for the Rail Safety Summit to hear HSEQ leaders from RAIB and Network Rail discuss the issues that matter.

Speakers confirmed for 2023 so far:

• Andrew Hall, Chief Inspector, Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB)

• Ian Prosser, HM Chief Inspector of Railways and Director of Railway Safety, Office of Rail Regulation

• John Jebson, OHSE Director, McGinley Support Services (Infrastructure)

• Marian Kelly, Head of SHE, London Underground

• Nick Millington, Acting Route Director, Wales and Borders Route, Network Rail

• Peter Dearman, Independent Consultant (Former Engineering Director, Atkins), Dearman Engineering

• Prof Sarah Sharples, Department for Transport (DfT), Chief Scientific Adviser and Professor of Human Factors at Nottingham University

• James Le Grice, Head of Rail Safety and Standards, Department for Transport (DfT)

• Ali Chegini, Director of System Safety and Health, RSSB

• Rupert Lown, Chief Health, Safety & Wellbeing Officer, Network Rail

• Leo Scott Smith, CEO, Tended

Sponsored by

RAIL SAFETY SUMMIT 2023

Safety is the number-one consideration when anything is being planned on the railway.

The Rail Safety Summit sees expert industry professionals present the latest information and developments within their field of expertise alongside companies exhibiting the most exciting products and services within the rail industry.

Now expanded to consider wellbeing and environmental health, the Rail Safety Summit will combine expert speakers with supplier exhibits and networking opportunities. This year’s Rail Safety Summit takes place on 14 March 2023, at Holywell Park, Loughborough.

Colin Wheeler joined the railway in 1967, working for British Rail in Leeds, York, Sheffield and Newcastle upon Tyne. He became Civil Engineer for North West England (Manchester and Liverpool) in the 1980’s and subsequently Infrastructure Engineer InterCity East Coast (Edinburgh to London Kings Cross), prior to privatisation. Until December 2003, he worked as Engineering and Safety Adviser for Balfour Beatty Rail Infrastructure Services. Colin was the Independent Chairman of the Association of On Track Labour Services from its foundation in 1999, continuing as Independent Chair of the Railway Industry Contractors Association until 2012. He was Editor of The Rail Engineer from 2004 to 2008.

Colin Wheeler, Railway Civil Engineer, Trustee Robert Stephenson Trust, past Editor of the Rail Engineer magazine

SPEAKERS

Beware: rarely is not quite never!

Andrew Hall is a Chartered Engineer and has worked in the rail industry for over 35 years.

He has held engineering and engineering project management roles in Britain and overseas. In 2004, Andrew joined the newly formed Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB). After 11 years as a Principal Inspector, he was appointed Deputy Chief Inspector in 2015 and subsequently, in 2022, Chief Inspector.

Ian Prosser CBE, HM Chief Inspector Railways and Director of Railway Safety, Office of Rail Regulation

Office of Rail and Road, vision, goals, challenges and focus; including the creation of Great British Railways organisation

Ian Prosser is the chief inspector of railways and director, railway safety, and an executive member of the board. He is responsible for the work of the Railway Safety Directorate, which strives to ensure dutyholders in the railway industry manage health and safety risks effectively and thus comply with their statutory duties. The Secretary of State appointed him to the board with effect from 26 September 2008.

John Jebson, OHSE Director, McGinley Support Services

The Sustainable Workforce

John Jebson is a Chartered Health and Safety Practitioner (CMIOSH) who has worked in construction and rail industries for over 30 years. He is an Associate Member of IEMA (AIEMA) and working towards practitioner status (PIEMA).

Marian Kelly, Head of SHE, London Underground

Safety on the Underground: evolution and revolution

Marian Kelly is the Head of Safety, Health and Environment for London Underground. She has worked in a variety of roles in Transport for London for the past 15 years, and in her current role is responsible for ensuring that London Underground continues to run a safe railway and manages its safety, health and environment risks effectively.

Andrew Hall, Chief Inspector, Rail Accident Investigation Branch

SPEAKERS

Rupert Lown, Chief Health, Safety & Wellbeing Officer, Network Rail

Network Rail’s Safety Framework

Rupert Lown began his career with the Health and Safety Executive regulating Agriculture, Construction, Engineering and Gas Safety. Following stints helping the Department for Work and Pensions and HM Treasury to improve workplace health and mental wellbeing, he joined The Office of Rail Regulation heading up the enforcement and investigation policy team.

Before becoming Network Rail’s Chief Health and Safety Officer, he has lead Network Rail HS&E teams in Kent and LNE Routes, held the role of Head of Corporate Workforce Safety, and developed and implemented a Route Health, Safety and Sustainability plan for the Anglia Route.

Peter Dearman, Independent Consultant (Former Engineering Director, Atkins), Dearman Engineering

“Electrical Isolation: How Difficult Can It Be?”

Peter Dearman began his career at British Rail (BR) in 1970 and has extensive experience in rail engineering and operations. Peter has held senior and varied roles within BR, Railtrack and Network Rail, and in private sector contractors and consultancies.

In 2009 he was responsible for defining the Network Electrification Plan for Network Rail which included the National Electrification Safety Improvement Programme. He has been instrumental in delivery of electric traction projects across the globe and continues to support international clients. In 2022/23 he will hold the role of President of the PWI, the Institution for Rail Infrastructure Engineering.

Prof. Sarah Sharples, DfT, Chief Scientific Adviser and Professor of Human Factors at Nottingham University

Rail Safety: taking a transport systems perspective

Professor Sarah Sharples is Chief Scientific Adviser for the Department for Transport. She is Professor of Human Factors in the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Nottingham and from 2018-2021 was Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Equality, Diversity & Inclusion and People. She has led research in transport, manufacturing, and healthcare, and currently leads the Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Connected Everything Network Plus.

She founded and is co-director of the ESPSRC Horizon Centre for Doctoral Training and has led research programmes examining implementation of new technologies in rail, highways and aviation. She was President of the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors from 2015-16.

James Le Grice, Head of Rail Safety and Standards, Department for Transport

The Role of Government in Rail Safety

James Le Grice joined the Department for Transport in February 2018 as a Railway Standards Policy Advisor. He worked on the EU Exit preparations for the UK’s rail technical standards regime and represented UK interests on the European Commission’s Railway Interoperability and Safety Committee.

He then became Head of Rail Supply Chain Policy, leading on the Department’s strategic policies towards the rail supply industry. Since July 2022, James has been Head of Rail Safety and Standards, leading the team responsible for rail safety, interoperability, and standards reform.

Ali Chegini, RSSB, Director, System Safety & Health

Changing times – retaining rail’s risk focus

Ali is a Chartered Engineer with expertise in railway systems engineering, risk management, system safety, assurance and approvals. He has been with RSSB since February 2019. Before that, Ali was at Bechtel Civil Infrastructure, working on the Riyadh Metro Project, and the UAE safety regulator, the Roads and Transport Authority in Dubai.

Nick Millington MBE, Network Rail, Acting Route Director, Wales and Borders Route

Nick is a Chartered Civil Engineer, a Chartered Project Manager, and a Chartered Permanent Way Engineer. He is also a Fellow of both the Institution of Civil Engineers and the Permanent Way Institution.

Nick recently led the Network Rail Safety Task Force, which focused on modernising our approach to maintaining our railway in an effort to significantly reduce the risk of track workers being struck by a train. Since July, Nick has been the interim Route Director for the Wales and Borders Route.

Leo Scott Smith, CEO, Tended

An introduction to geofencing and track worker safety

Leo is the CEO and founder of award-winning safety technology startup Tended. He has been the driving force behind Tended’s transformative solutions for safety-critical industries, including the company’s advanced geofencing solution.

Developed alongside Network Rail, this solution can prevent accidents and near misses in the industry by helping workers regain situational awareness when they leave safe working limits. In 2021, Leo was named one of Forbes 30 Under 30. He was also named Midlands Startup Entrepreneur of the Year at the 2019 Great British Entrepreneur Awards.

The Rail Safety Summit has proven time and time again that it is a must-attend event for up-to-date rail safety information.

PROVIDING TOTAL VISIBILITY FOR A SAFER RAILWAY

TRACK TRACKER

The leading supplier of Geofencing technology in the railway industry, we are a group of track workers that came together 8 years ago with the aim of making sure that “Everyone Goes Home Safe Every day”.

We offer total visibility of the worksite in real-time, clear and defined safe working limits for all track workers to view in the event of losing their situational awareness whilst on the network, 100% confirmation of the locations of all track workers, the correct positions of the work site protection such as ES marker boards or stop boards. Instant automatic geofence alerts if the trackworker unknowingly leaves their safe working limits, the ES/PICOP will also be notified of this unsafe movement.

TRACK TRACKER has lowered the ALARP level to the track worker and increased the duty of care of the employer.

CAN I SAFELY AND CONFIDENTLY CONFIRM?

• My track teams are staying inside their safe working limits, and not unknowingly walking onto open lines?

• Are my marker boards placed on the correct ELR’s & mileages before granting teams access to track?

• Are my track teams accessing the track at the correct access points and correct ELR’s and mileages?

• Complete confidence that I / We could help provide our teams on track with the quickest response possible in the event of an emergency?

• In case of emergency – inbuilt SOS function opens 2 way comms with supervisor (via tracker comms system or mobile phone call function)

• All plant, machinery, and equipment is off track at the end of the shift before handing the site back to rail traffic?

• Machines and plant are safely placed on the correct lines before being removed from the worksite?

• When assessing the risks associated with the works, have I provided the best possible safe system of work to reduce the risk to the workforce to as low as reasonably practicable?

The future of track worker safety

Working on or near open railway lines is among the most dangerous occupations in the industry. A leading cause of many trackside incidents is due to diminishing worker situational awareness, which can contribute to avoidable fatalities and near misses with trains. This is where workers, due to factors such as fatigue, time pressures or hindered visibility, can lose awareness of their surroundings and unintentionally step into a hazardous area, such as on or near an open line.

To address this issue, tech startup Tended has worked with Network Rail’s Safety Task Force to develop a wearable safety solution capable of improving situational awareness and transforming trackside safety.

Tended’s solution uses highprecision geofencing technology to enable planners to define important worksite details before work starts. Using an online Planning Dashboard, planners can plot out safe working zones with associated safe access points to maximise site safety and eff iciency for teams.

The Planning Dashboard is accompanied by a small wearable device assigned to workers, alerting them in real-time if they cross a geofence boundary and leave safe working limits. This alert notifies them of their potentially unsafe position and helps them regain situational awareness and move back to safety.

After years of successful trials with Network Rail’s trackside teams, Tended’s technology received off icial product acceptance in September 2022 and is now being deployed on the UK’s rail network, being fully compliant with Network Rail’s new geofencing standard NR/L2/ OHS/501 Module W4.

With a relentless drive to help put an end to preventable fatalities, Tended has been instrumental in bringing this life-saving solution to the forefront of the industry, helping to revolutionise track worker safety. Last year, the technology won the prestigious award for safety at the Railway Innovation Awards and has also recently been shortlisted for the upcoming Rail Business Awards.

Tended is working with Network Rail and its supply chain to improve the safety of track workers with geofencing technology. See for yourself at www.tended.co.uk.

Tended is an award-winning tech startup, combining wearable technology and behavioural science to transform the health and safety landscape of the railway industry.

“Tended allows us to better protect our teams in a way that hasn’t been done before by using innovation in safety.”

Andy Crowley, Operations Director

Golden recognition for GWR apprentice team

The apprentice team at Great Western Railway celebrated golden recognition at the start of National Apprenticeship Week, while one of its shining stars has scooped a top accolade.

The team, which supervises 240 apprentices across the GWR network, received gold accreditation as part of the Investors in People ‘We invest in apprentices’ programme.

Coach and mentor Ekaterina Cherkasenko also had plenty to celebrate after being named Higher Apprentice of the Year at Exeter College.

GWR Learning and Development Manager Andrew Perry, said: “To receive gold accreditation from Investors in People really is something to be celebrated. From my perspective it’s probably the highlight of my career. It’s recognition of so much hard work by the whole team.

“We deliver our apprenticeships across 2,000 miles of the network and are pushing the boundaries to ensure our provision is up to date, challenging and future proof.”

Working in partnership with Exeter College, the train operator launched a vocational apprenticeship programme 11 years ago. Quest apprenticeships were also introduced in 2020, enabling GWR colleagues to gain formal qualifications alongside their day-to-day roles.

GTR sets out 2023 apprenticeships target

Despite challenges in the industry, Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) has continued to upskill and harness its workforce over the last year with a varied programme of apprenticeships. Since the introduction of the government’s apprenticeship levy in 2017, more than 400 employees have benefitted from training at GTR, with an additional 500 people continuing to study.

For 2023, the rail operator has set itself a target of 220 employees starting an apprenticeship, which is a 20 per cent increase on the number of those who started an apprenticeship with the company last year.

Open to current and new employees, the apprenticeships on offer range from train driving and customer service, to engineering, management and leadership skills. Last year also saw the addition of two new courses in response to needs from the business and employee feedback.

Passenger Transport Operative and Learning and Development Practitioner programmes have been added to the portfolio, which now boasts a total of 12 different apprenticeships that railway colleagues can take advantage of.

As well as a new target for 2023, this year marks a milestone moment for the operator, as it sees the 100th employee start its train driver apprenticeship. Although there has been well over that figure coming through the programme in total, since becoming an employment provider of apprenticeships in March 2020, GTR is now able to run the training in-house and tailored to its staff.

Continuing a trend seen over the last five years, an impressive 42% of those starting an apprenticeship in 2022 were aged between 31 and 40, bucking the perception that apprenticeships are a younger person’s game. In addition, a third identified as Black and Minority Ethnic, which GTR hopes will continue to increase as the company works to diversify its workforce to reflect the communities it serves.

LNER celebrates apprenticeships success

London North Eastern Railway (LNER) marked National Apprenticeship Week 2023 by celebrating the contribution of more than 150 apprentices who currently work across the business.

LNER also launched a special video to spotlight the vital role apprenticeships play in supporting the development of existing employees and attracting fresh talent into the rail industry.

LNER offers a wide range of apprenticeships from train driving and engineering to HR, Finance and Customer Experience. The company was awarded UK Top Employer status earlier this year for a fourth consecutive year.

Claire Ansley, People and Customer Experience Director at LNER, said: “At LNER we are delighted to support apprentices across the business to gain new skills, as well as a recognised qualification. An ideal apprentice is someone who is passionate about development and learning new skills with a huge variety of roles available in the railway industry.”

Train Manager, Rahnum Ishtiaq has recently completed his apprenticeship and is now working onboard services between London and Newcastle, Leeds and Lincoln. He said: “The apprenticeship with LNER has given me the opportunity to do the job that I really wanted to do and was passionate about securing.

I had the opportunity to shadow someone who was experienced and to learn from them, one-to-one about how to provide our customers with the best possible experience. Showing empathy, showing you care and listening are all key skills, as well as learning to deal with incidents by yourself. Learning from experienced colleagues has really helped enhance those skills in addition to our formal training.”

Megan Cooke used to work in hearing care before becoming an Apprentice Train Driver at LNER. Speaking ahead of National Apprenticeship Week, Megan said: “By the time I get through the apprenticeship training, I will have every tool needed to be an LNER Azuma train driver. I know that when I’m given my key to the cab and told to go out there by myself for the first time, that I will have earned it.”

The celebratory video can be viewed at https://youtu.be/66j_yGTdzz0

Alstom opens national Training Academy

“Alstom has always believed in developing talent through formalised training, as we see apprentices are the future of our industry both here in Britain and around the world,” commented Nick Crossfield, Managing Director of Alstom UK & Ireland. “National Apprenticeship Week is the perfect time for us to open our Academy as we wanted to express our confidence in the future of the UK apprenticeships and the UK rail industry.”

Alstom opened its Apprentice Training Academy on 7 February, the second day of National Apprenticeship Week 2023.

Following an investment of £250,000 over the last two years, the new Training Academy was officially opened by Derby MP, Dame Margaret Beckett DBE PC MP, accompanied by Nick Crossfield, Managing Director of Alstom UK & Ireland.

On opening the Training Academy, Dame Margaret said, “It’s a real pleasure to open Alstom’s new National Training Centre during National Apprenticeship Week. I am delighted to see Alstom continuing to invest in Derby’s young people, and in the Litchurch Lane facility, the only factory in Britain with the capability to design, build and test new trains for the UK and for export.”

Alstom’s Derby site has been at the heart of British railway manufacturing for 175 years since it was originally established, with generations of train makers trained on site to manufacture the most technological advanced trains for Britain’s rail passengers for nearly two centuries. Today, Derby is the UK’s only end-to-end train manufacturing site, and makes trains both for the UK and export market.

The new Training Academy, featuring 17 permanent teaching staff, is an innovation that increases the professionalisation of Alstom’s training offer in the UK.

The Academy is in a central location on Alstom’s Derby site and offers 1,600m2 of practical learning space comprising four classrooms, a canteen, coffee area, and break out study areas where the new trainees are inducted at Alstom.

In their first week, the new trainees are taught the company’s values as a leader in smart and sustainable mobility, including the Alstom Zero Deviation Plan, the Alstom Production System (APSYS), ethics and diversity standards, quality

awareness and personal safety to ensure each new employee goes home safely every day. This year’s intake of 120 apprentices and graduates will be the first to formally benefit from the Academy scheme. Depending on career stream, each apprentice will spend an initial three weeks in the Academy learning the initial skills and competencies they need to perform their role, including a strong focus on safety and quality before they join their respective teams.

They will spend 30 to 40 hours a month attending the Academy throughout their apprenticeship. All courses are structured to complement each apprentice’s college or university course which they will also attend throughout their apprenticeship. Alstom works closely with Derby College as well as Derby, Nottingham and Sheffield Universities.

Southeastern celebrates 400 apprentices

Southeastern, the rail operator serving Kent, East Sussex and South-East London, has celebrated having 400 apprentices currently in training, with plans to recruit more from across the communities it serves.

With over 4,500 employees across its route, Southeastern has turned to apprenticeships to ensure it has a workforce with the right skills to serve its customers, in roles like train drivers, on-board crew, engineering and support functions.

With over 350 apprentices having passed through apprenticeships, 400 currently in training and more set to be recruited, Southeastern is encouraging people to consider an apprenticeship as a gateway to a rewarding career.

Twenty Southeastern apprentices have been put through management training programmes and 46 managers have been able to undertake further study in their specialisms including payroll and project management, some up to

degree level.

As it prepares to recruit more apprentices later this year, the train operator is encouraging people from across its route, to consider joining a business that has won multiple awards for its apprenticeship programme and as an employer.

Southeastern is a ‘Top 100’ Apprentice Employer, is ‘highlyrated’ by Investors in People for its apprentice framework, A Financial Times Diversity Leader and was the top ‘Women in Rail’ employer in 2020 and 2022. In December last year, Southeastern also achieved the EY National Equality Standard accreditation.

Steve White, Managing Director of Southeastern said: “86% of employers say apprenticeships have benefitted their business and I agree with them. Our apprentices

enrich our business and give us the opportunity to continue to develop a workforce with the right skills to serve our customers. In return for committing to us, our apprentices earn money, get well-structured training and join an industry with a huge range of opportunities.”

“10% of our workforce is now apprentices-in-training and they add enormous value to our business but we’re working hard to recruit more. Of the 400 apprentices we currently have in training 72 identify as women and 52 are BAME people. Whatever people’s current perception of rail, we want and need to recruit people, with the right skills, from a diverse range of backgrounds as well as ensuring our workforce reflects the communities we serve.”

© Southeastern

YOUNG RAIL PROFESSIONALS PASSING ON THE BATON

Over the last year, I’ve written a series of editorials in RailStaff which voice the views of my peers –young professionals in rail, and the future leaders of our industry. Topics have typically been forward looking, debating how the industry could evolve its culture and ensure diverse opportunities to attract new talent.

However, I’m now taking the time to look back and reflect on what has been a busy, but fantastic year, both for the Young Rail Professionals (YRP) and myself, personally. Stepping into the position, my vision as director was to raise awareness of the vital role young people play in ensuring the industry has the skills and people it needs to succeed. Achieving such a feat involves collaborating with key industry organisations to ensure a focus on attracting and developing talent, refreshing our brand towards the Net Zero agenda, and promoting positive change associated with the Industry Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Charter.

2022: PROMOTE, INSPIRE, DEVELOP

YRP’s three pillars within our core mission statement are “promote, inspire, develop”; all our campaigns and events in 2022 were centred around achieving this mission. Our Annual Dinner in April provided a fantastic opportunity to promote and celebrate the achievements of rising stars, as well as supportive mentors, within our industry. Hosted at the stunning Emirate Old Trafford Cricket ground, we were honoured to welcome Mark Thurston, CEO of HS2, as our Keynote speaker for the evening. It was a truly dazzling event that was attended by some of the largest and most influential organisations and people from across rail.

The next pillar is to inspire – showcasing the opportunities of rail careers. In October 2022, Rail Week sought to achieve just that, by running a dedicated week of activity which aims to address the skills shortage in rail-related roles and inspiring a generation of young

people through a series of events, site visits, and by being present at stations. Further to this, throughout 2022 our inspire team hosted multiple volunteering weekends at the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Heritage Railway in Snowdonia.

The weekends provide a fantastic change to get hands-on volunteering experience on the railway. Additionally, Young Rail Tours (YRT) hosted its first international tour since the pandemic and took a group of 32 delegates on a railway study tour to Milan in September. The tour included a visit to the Alstom Savigliano Centre of Railway Excellence and the Azienda Transport Milanesi (ATM) Metro System. Develop – helping people realise their potential. Many young professionals have not known a working world before the pandemic, and so this year has been about re-connecting our community and re-building a network for young professionals to thrive. Our regional committees have achieved just that, hosting over 70 events in 2022. Many of our development events focused on three key future themes: decarbonisation, EDI, and digital. However, be it webinars to networking socials (including mini golf, axe throwing and baseball), CV workshops to EDI debates, they have truly gone above and beyond to cover a broad range of topics and provide a fantastic range of opportunities for our members.

LOOKING INTO 2023

Moving into the year ahead, there are already some fantastic developments in the pipeline. We are delighted to announce that planning is well underway for our dinner on 13 April 2023, set to be at the Birmingham ICC. Kindly sponsored by CPC Project Services, we are delighted to welcome Ruth Busby, People and Transformation Director at GWR and Network Rail Wales & Western (a newly established joint role), to be our keynote speaker. I welcome you to join us for what will be a sparkling evening!

Furthermore, Young Rail Professionals (YRP) and Young Rail Tours (YRT) are supporters of the Jamaica Social Intervention & Community Rail Project 2023. The projects’ main objective is to restore the train service

Fiona Westcough.

between Kingston and Culture Yard, Trench Town. This in turn will create many positive social outcomes such as stimulating cultural tourism and economic regeneration, rebuilding key transport links, and investment in skill development and job creation for local people in Jamaica.

YRT and its partners are planning to send a group of up to 40 UK professionals to undertake the ‘Working Tour’ of Jamaica in October 2023, to coincide with UK Black History Month. The tour will include five days on the working site in Kingston, where delegates will work with locals and other supporting organisations to deliver the final works required for service to commence running. Delegates will also meet and network with local rail professionals and students from University of Technology (UTECH) in Jamaica, to facilitate knowledge sharing and strengthening international ties. Before and after working on-site, delegates will also have the opportunity to take part in cultural activities and develop a greater understanding of the country as a whole.

NEXT GENERATION

In April, I will step down as Chair of the YRP. After two happy years as a director of the company, I’ll be handing over the leadership to a new enthusiastic volunteer. I have had the privilege of working with brilliant volunteers throughout my time with YRP and I am so grateful to everyone for their input, patience, and grace whilst I have had the pleasure to lead the organisation. I am also grateful for all the fantastic opportunities it has provided me with, and industry leaders I have met along the way. Overall, YRP has been a fantastic learning curve for me, with many lessons learned that I will take forward as I progress further into what I hope will be a successful career.

My work to inspire the next generation, however, will not stop here! I still aim to promote both the engineering profession and rail industry at school careers events, and by becoming a school governor. Those who know me personally are also aware that I’m a competitive swimmer, with a little road cycling and running on the side. I’m set to take part in Ride London in May, with an aim of one day completing a half Ironman. Perhaps I’ll have a little more time to focus on training now!

Corporate Members

QTS bolsters board of directors

Rail contractor QTS Group has announced the appointment of Lisa McKellar to its board of directors.

The move follows Lisa’s five-year stint heading up the marketing team at the company. Her new role, which began in January, sees her become Marketing and Social Value Director.

In her new capacity, Lisa will continue to lead QTS’ marketing offering and will also take responsibility for driving the company’s social value work – an instrumental part of its offering.

With more than 15 years’ experience working in marketing and communications, Lisa has been hugely influential in the firm’s success over the last half-decade. In 2022, she began overseeing marketing activity for the entire Renew Group, following its acquisition of QTS back in 2018. Lisa has headed some memorable

campaigns over the past five years, such as ‘30 Years of Innovation’ and ‘the Future of Rail’ event, both in 2022.

Lisa said: “After an incredible five years with QTS, it’s fantastic to join the board, especially at such an exciting time for the company. QTS has gone from strength to strength over the last 30 years, and I’m looking forward to what’s to come.

“I’m particularly excited to continue delivering our social values programmes, which go a long way toward giving something back to the communities we operate in. It’s a part of the job I’m extremely passionate about and look forward to unveiling some amazing initiatives in 2023.”

Luke McInerney joins Xeiad as head of rail

Luke McInerney has joined the examination and civil engineering consultancy Xeiad as head of rail.

Luke is an accomplished business leader who is highly skilled in building extremely capable business units and organisations to deliver complex multi-million-pound portfolios and programmes.

He takes with him a wealth of knowledge and experience having spent eight years at Network Rail with his most recent role heading up the Eastern Region Direct Delivery Team, and prior to that, a Programme Manager with National Highways on the Smart Motorway scheme.

Luke will be leading the development of the Rail Team, overseeing existing contracts and broadening our service provision.

Xeiad is a civil engineering consultancy specialising in difficult access and is part of

MTR Elizabeth line appoints new MD

MTR Elizabeth line (MTREL) has appointed Mike Bagshaw to the role of managing director. Mike has over 30 years’ experience in the rail industry which has included strategic leadership roles at Arriva Trains Wales, Chiltern Railways, and First Great Western.

Mike first joined MTR in 2016 as bid director, before becoming performance and planning director of MTR Elizabeth line in 2018, and chief operating officer of its parent company MTR UK in 2021.

Mike’s railway career began in frontline customer-facing roles in British Rail. As part of the initial management team that developed Chiltern Railways’ expansion to the West Midlands, Mike helped to deliver

exceptional passenger growth, operational performance, and customer satisfaction. At Arriva Trains Wales, Mike transformed performance, delivered high levels of passenger growth and introduced new routes and services, working closely with the Welsh Government.

During his career at MTR, Mike’s responsibilities have included overseeing the planning and delivery of the end-toend Elizabeth line, developing industry-leading operational performance and planning capability, and expanding a successful operating business portfolio.

Mike said: “Having previously held the position of performance and planning director, I am delighted to be returning to MTR Elizabeth line as managing

director to lead the organisation through its next exciting chapter.

From my current role as chief operating officer for MTR UK, I have seen first-hand the extraordinary commitment of the MTREL team to bring the Elizabeth line to life. The results speak for themselves with the Elizabeth line seeing an average 3.6 million journeys every week, and recognised for its punctuality, reliability, and outstanding level of customer satisfaction.

“This unwavering commitment to our customers and ambition to achieve the highest levels of performance sets the tone for the delivery of the remaining stages of the project and future operations of the landmark Elizabeth line.”

As managing director, Mike will lead MTR Elizabeth line through

the British Engineering Services Group. The firm supplies engineers with extensive experience in rope access, diving and confined spaces. It has also developed the use of Remotely Operated Aerial Vehicles (ROAVs) to complement its inspection procedures.

the final stages of the plan which will see a further timetable change in May 2023 and the expansion of through-running across the Elizabeth line route.

Trenitalia c2c appoints Abu Siddeeq

Trenitalia c2c has appointed a new customer experience director to support its commitment to customers and communities.

Abu Siddeeq will start in the new role in February and will head a newly-restructured team, dedicated to delivering excellent customer service for users of the east London and south Essex train line.

Siddeeq will join from LNER where he was most recently head of customer experience strategy. Prior to this he was at Great Western Railway, latterly as head of customer proposition. He has also held roles at FirstGroup, Transport for London, and the NHS.

Rob Mullen, managing director of c2c, said, “I am absolutely

Atkins appoints new MD of transportation

Atkins, a member of the SNC-Lavalin Group, has appointed Andrew English as managing director of its Transportation division in the UK and Europe.

Andrew joins Atkins from John Holland Group – one of Australia’s leading engineering contractors –where he was executive general manager for its Infrastructure business operating in the rail, water, roads, energy, airports, and marine markets.

During a 35-year career, Andrew has also held senior leadership positions at Balfour Beatty and Skanska, where roles included managing director of Skanska UK’s Infrastructure division.

Andrew joined Atkins in late 2022 and is responsible for driving further growth in the rail, highways, and local transport markets, while overseeing the delivery of existing major transportation contracts and supporting the industry’s digitally driven transition to net zero.

delighted that we’ve appointed Abu. He joins us from LNER and has held multiple roles in customer services, experience and operations across different train operators and the NHS. A real benefit is Abu lives on our network, so understands our routes, our customers and our communities.

“Our communications, stations, revenue protection and security and customer services teams will sit under Abu’s directorship to make sure they are right at the forefront of our thinking. Providing good service for our customers is more important now than ever, as we strive to attract them back to the railway.”

Abu said, “I’m delighted to be joining Trenitalia c2c, which is consistently one of the highest performing train operating

companies for customer satisfaction. What’s particularly attractive and exciting is the opportunity to further enhance an already strong customer offering, by looking at new and innovative ways of engaging with our customers and communities and using that insight to focus our priorities and improvements.

“I’m really looking forward to working alongside colleagues across the organisation in developing and embedding an ambitious customer strategy,” he added.

Systra welcomes Sébastien Dupont

Jacobs names new CEO

The international consultancy, operations, and construction firm Jacobs has confirmed that Bob Pragada has been named chief executive officer effective from 24 January 2023.

Pragada brings more than 30 years of global business leadership and military experience to Jacobs, including 17 years with the company.

In 2019, Pragada was appointed President and COO of Jacobs, providing executive oversight of all global operations, driving impressive profitable growth across the Company’s Critical Mission Solutions and People & Places Solutions lines of business. He has been instrumental in developing and leading the successful execution of Jacobs’ strategy, as well as driving global integrated delivery of Jacobs’ operations around the world as a differentiator in the industry.

“It is an exciting time for Jacobs,” said Pragada. “Concentrating our strategy accelerators around climate response, data solutions, and consulting and advisory services, we’re anticipating the global trends most important to our clients to develop differentiated, data-enabled solutions that meet their needs. I am honored to take on the role of CEO and advance the compelling work underway to further diversify our capabilities and offerings, increasing opportunities and value for our people, our clients and our shareholders alike.”

Systra Ltd has announced the appointment of Sébastien Dupont as managing director for consultancy (UK-IRL).

Sébastien joined SYSTRA in 2017 as chief financial officer for Latin America, based in Såo Paulo, Brazil, before moving to London in 2019 as international chief financial officer, responsible for UK, Nordics, South America and North & Western Africa. He is an accomplished operations and financial leader, having worked for 20 years in the transport engineering and automotive sectors.

Sébastien led the integration of TSP Projects that was acquired in 2019, doubling the size of Systra Ltd’s Transport and Infrastructure business. As managing director for Consultancy, Sébastien will support the sustainable growth of the business, raising the profile of its many thought-leading technical and digital experts.

“I am delighted that Sébastien has agreed to join SYSTRA Ltd,” said Nick Salt, CEO. “He is an astute business leader with significant international experience and will form a significant part of our Leadership Team as we continue on our journey of sustainable growth.

Sébastien Dupont said, “Moving to the UK has been one of the highlights of my career so far. After working with a vast network of international entities across multiple continents, I am now delighted to shift my focus to the UK & Ireland market in order to support our clients and deliver on decarbonisation and sustainability.”

© C2C

JACOBS

ALL ABOARD FOR RAILWAYPEOPLE.COM FIRST CLASS CAREERS

For many people, a new year means a new start. It’s no surprise then that these are the busiest months for both job seekers and employers. It's a great time for candidates to apply and interview for new roles, and with many companies sitting on new hiring budgets looking to attract the best talent, roles which were left vacant at the end of last year can finally be filled. At the same time, jobseekers are more likely to get a speedy response from key decision makers strategising their resourcing plans for the year ahead.

If you're eager for change, the odds of securing a new role are in your favour. As it experiences a period of rapid growth, the rail industry is in need of new, skilled, and also experienced workers like never before. Major infrastructure projects including HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail, mean that up to 12,000 jobs will be created every year for the next 5-10 years. But still, finding the right role can be tough, and you’ll be up against some stiff competition.

THE PERFECT PLATFORM

If you’re keen to take on a new career challenge this year, then look no further than RailwayPeople.com, the number one rail job board in the UK. Launched in 2001, it has supported the rail industry for over 20 years and provides the perfect platform to search for job roles. With up to 1,000 jobs online at any one time, you’re bound to find an interesting and rewarding role, whether that’s in construction, engineering, operations, and management or support services. RailwayPeople.com features career opportunities with all the biggest names in the industry, and works with top rail recruiters who search out the best talent for them. Showcasing vacancies from the length and breadth of the UK, the site also features international employers from further afield. If you’re interested in relocating abroad, there’s something for you too. When you register as a candidate, you can set up alerts to email new vacancies that fit your experience and competencies straight to your inbox. You can also make your details visible to

ASIF AHMED, OF RAILWAYPEOPLE.COM, ADVISES JOBSEEKERS TO UPDATE THEIR CVS AND CHECK OUT THE INDUSTRY'S LARGEST JOB BOARD TO CAPITALISE ON EMERGING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

recruiters, who can contact you directly about exciting new projects or vacancies.

You’ll need to upload your CV, but if it’s been a while since your last job hunt, it may need a bit of work. Recruiters and hiring managers look at dozens of CVs on a daily basis, so you want yours to really stand out and be interesting for them to read.

TAPPING THE TALENT POOL

The platform isn’t just for jobseekers. Employers seeking out the best talent to add to their teams would be wise to consider the platform. Attracting the right

candidate for your role is critically important and RailwayPeople.com offers a range of helpful facilities to help you do just that. As the best known and most visited job site for the industry, and offering a sector specific recruitment solution, you’ll receive the best possible response to your online job ads. RailwayPeople.com provides a fully responsive site along with excellent search capabilities and search engine optimisation. Furthermore, alongside its growing CV database and long-term relationships, the platform also offers a wealth of advertising options helping to ensure you maximise your

reach to the wider rail industry.

RailwayPeople.com is the perfect solution for both candidates and employers. If you’re hiring or job hunting in 2023, then get on board.

RailwayPeople.com is again hosting the “Careers, Talent, and Skills Hub” at RailTex –9th to 11th May 2023. Visit us at the event or contact us to find out more about how you can get involved or how we can help you in the future.

WHY USE RAILWAYPEOPLE.COM

• Search top directly sourced career opportunities

• Free candidate/job seeker registration

• Largest Rail CV database +250,000 profiles registered

• Over 20 years of experience and trusted by our partners

• Huge direct social media following

If you would like more information on RailwayPeople.com, whether you’re a recruiter or a candidate, please email rp@rail-media.com or call 01530 816 450

© iStockphoto.com

© iStockphoto.com

HS2:

A RECRUITMENT AND TRAINING POWERHOUSE

THE HS2 PROJECT IS HOOVERING UP TALENT AS IT ROLLS UP THE COUNTRY AT GROWING SPEED. IT’S ALSO PROVIDING COUNTLESS OPPORTUNITIES TO THE COMMUNITIES IT TOUCHES AND IS CREATING A SKILLS LEGACY THAT WILL LAST FOR YEARS.

With the first phase of HS2 progressing at pace, the project currently supports close to 30,000 jobs, and with the work in its entirety due to continue over the next two decades, HS2 and its contractors are continually recruiting for hundreds of new roles. RailStaff took a closer look at how the project is attracting graduates and apprentices, creating opportunities for residents of local areas, and attracting workers from outside the rail industry to its ranks.

BEST AND BRIGHTEST

Seeking sharp minds, new perspectives, and an abundance of enthusiasm, each year HS2 welcomes a new influx of graduates and apprentices into the business. Indeed, just last December the company launched its annual search for graduates, offering talented individuals the opportunity to join its coveted two-year placement programme, and the chance to play a part in Europe’s biggest infrastructure project.

The 2023 graduate programme is set to be the largest yet and includes the chance for engineering graduates to aid with delivering the stations, tunnels, and viaducts along the

route of the new railway. There were also opportunities to join HS2’s Environment, Hybrid Bill, Project Management, Procurement and Commercial teams.

“With all three phases of HS2 now live, we increased the number of places available on our graduate talent programme,” says Karen Davis, HS2’s head of talent and development. “As a result, 2023 will mark our biggest annual intake of new graduate talent into our offices and construction sites. It’s a unique opportunity to earn and learn while working on the country’s flagship levelling-up project, and we look forward to welcoming the next generation of rising stars.”

In order to capture the imagination of those currently studying, HS2 offers undergraduates the opportunity to sample life working on the project and get paid for the experience. An example is BBV’s West Midlands undergraduate summer scheme, which gives students the chance to earn and gain vital work experience in their specialist subject area during the summer holidays. The scheme began in 2022 when BBV took on 30 students from across the region. Two students went on to secure full-time employment, with BBV paying the remainder of their university fees so they could continue their studies whilst working.

The 2023 programme, which begins in July, will include placement opportunities at BBV’s construction sites and offices in South Staffordshire, Birmingham, Coventry, and North and South Warwickshire. Open to candidates studying a broad range of subjects, the placements offer opportunities in civil engineering, quantity surveying, environment and sustainable delivery, and business support, to name just a few.

“With a two-decade long construction programme ahead, HS2 provides long-term

career prospects to students who live or study in the local area,” says Julie Venn-Morton, HS2’s senior legacy manager for the region. “A summer placement is a great way to get your foot in the door, and hopefully marks the start of an amazing career journey on Britain’s new railway.”

APPRENTICE MILESTONE

When work began on Phase 1 of the project, HS2 predicted it would create 22,000 jobs in the coming years. With its workforce now reaching close to 30,000, and with thousands more jobs supported across the wider supply chain, the company has certainly delivered.

Demand for talent, however, has not diminished and, each year, HS2 and its construction partners are bringing more and more apprentices into the business. On 18 January this year, HS2 announced it had welcomed 1,126 eager apprentices onboard, rapidly closing in on its target of creating 2000 apprenticeships. And the company is not just looking for fresh-faced school and college leavers – anyone looking for an exciting career change opportunity, with relevant experience and a passion for the project is encouraged to apply.

Jessica Miles, HS2’s 1,000th apprentice, was drawn to a new career on HS2 by the nationally recognised qualifications that an apprenticeship offers, along with the opportunity to learn and earn. Having worked in retail fashion for six years, Jessica had climbed the ladder to reach management, but was interested in a career in Human Resources. After finding it difficult to secure a job without the relevant qualifications or industry experience, in 2022 she joined HS2’s construction partner Align joint venture on a two-year Level 5 HR Consultant apprenticeship. This has put her on track to secure the CIPD qualifications and work experience needed to build a long-term career in the sector.

“It just goes to show that it’s never too late to follow your dreams, says Jessica. “I was 30 when I started my apprenticeship, but my college education meant I was able to begin

studying at Level 5, so I’m on track to gain a fantastic qualification that will really boost my career.

“I’m working on the biggest infrastructure project in Europe, helping to recruit a talented workforce to deliver the amazing construction challenges I see in front of me every day. I’m not just building my career, but helping thousands of others too, and we’re all working together to deliver this once in a lifetime project. It’s amazing!”

PLEDGE TO INVEST

As the HS2 project advances, the opportunities keep on coming. Hundreds of new apprenticeship jobs were recently announced by Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV), HS2’s construction parent in the West Midlands. All jobs will be based in the West Midlands, North and South Warwickshire, and Staffordshire.

On 6 February, 20 contractors working on behalf of BBV signed a pledge promising to invest in local people and ensure at least 5% of their total workforce are apprentices. The commitment guarantees that at least 200 new apprenticeship jobs will be created before the end of 2024. BBV also announced that it will begin recruiting for over 40 new apprentices, building on the 165 apprentices it has already employed to support HS2’s construction.

“We’ve set ourselves an ambitious target of making sure one in every 20 employees at Balfour Beatty VINCI is an apprentice, which is 5% of our workforce,” says Shilpi Akbar,

head of Stakeholder and Communities at BBV. “Our pledge to create new opportunities and employ over 200 apprentices within BBV and our supply chain is a big step towards achieving this goal.”

With another huge year of construction ahead, BBV’s supply chain is drawing on local talent to fill a broad range of roles, with both office and site-based opportunities.

In readiness for the next giant tunnel boring machine’s take off, which launches from Birmingham later this year, Tunnelcraft is recruiting for 10 tunnelling operative apprentices who will join the team tasked with excavating the 3.5-mile twin bore route between Washwood Heath and Water Orton. Mott MacDonald and Systra, a Design Joint Venture working in partnership with BBV to deliver HS2, is also beginning its search for digital design and business administration apprentices, while Flannery is recruiting for more plant operative apprentices. HS2 Ltd has also confirmed that it will recruit 21 new apprentices, 15 of which will be based at its flagship headquarters in Birmingham city centre.

REGIONAL OPPORTUNITIES

HS2 ensures that the residents of every region the project rolls through benefit from the employment breaks it brings with it, and offers excellent opportunities for those out of work to get back on their feet.

In October last year, for example, unemployed London residents from boroughs bordering HS2’s line of route were given the opportunity to apply for a bespoke training and paid work trial programme, allowing them to earn while getting a feel for what a career in construction can offer.

All 10 candidates began their new roles in January, after graduating from a paid work trial with HS2’s London-based construction partner, Skanska Costain STRABAG Joint Venture (SCS JV) and its contractor Danny Sullivan Group.

Of those 10, four have joined the tunnelling operative apprenticeship programme, supporting the 26-mile-long London tunnelling works delivered by SCS JV. The remaining six have joined HS2’s ‘orange army’ working at sites in Ealing and Camden.

18-year-old Malachi Robinson, from Hammersmith and Fulham, who recently began his tunnelling operative apprenticeship with Danny Sullivan Group said: “When I left sixth form I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, and then I met Ambrose from HS2 at a careers event for young black men. We kept in touch, and he let me know about the work trial, and from day one I loved it. I can’t wait to play a part in building the Euston tunnels. I want to work my way up the construction ladder and get my black hat, hopefully working as a foreman or site supervisor.”

Over 600 people who were out of work across the West Midlands now have full-time jobs on HS2, and BBV expects its workforce to peak at around 7,000 as its construction programme progresses. BBV recently partnered with Walsall Works, an initiative funded by Walsall Council to support local people to find jobs, apprenticeships, and training, and it is now helping unemployed residents access training, develop new skills, and build a career.

Open to Walsall residents aged 25 and over, and who are out of work, the placements suit those looking for office-based roles. Eligible candidates were offered an eight-week paid placement with BBV, with opportunities available in its HR, Facilities, Procurement, and Finance teams. The placements allowed candidates to get a feel for what it’s like to work as part of the team supporting HS2, and those who impressed were given the opportunity to transfer into full time employment. The programme has so far supported three local people into employment.

“We’re delighted to join forces with our job brokerage partner, Walsall Works, who share our drive to ensure that local residents benefit from career opportunities on HS2,” said Julie Venn-Morton. “Our paid placement programmes have been hugely successful in supporting people of all ages and backgrounds back into the world of work, with promising career prospects for those that successfully complete their placement. I’m confident this new partnership with Walsall Works will be equally successful.”

FAST-TRACK

Unemployed locals in the South East and East Midlands are also seeing the benefits of HS2.

Construction partner, Eiffage, Kier, Ferrovial Construction and BAM Nuttall (EKFB), recently launched an employment scheme to help local people who are out of work develop new skills and progress into paid employment.

The training programme aims to upskill candidates ready for work on HS2 in just two weeks, with 20 places available for Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire residents. For those who successfully complete the course, the programme offers progression onto a Level 2 Groundworker Apprenticeship, combining practical and theory training and allowing candidates to play a hands-on role supporting HS2’s construction in the local area.

Jhen-Nel Swanston, HS2’s legacy manager for the region said: “Fast-track employment programmes help new starters to the industry

secure sustainable employment with longterm career prospects.

“The two-week training programme is perfect for those looking to get back into the world of work, starting out in their career, or who fancy trying something different. We’re delighted we can now extend this offer to Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire residents and look forward to welcoming them onto the programme.”

The fast-track programme is supported by the Department for Work and Pensions, which can support eligible candidates who are claiming state benefits to participate in the course.

Paddy Patterson, skills, employment and education manager at EKFB said: “EKFB is excited to partner with the Skills Centre to launch our new fast-track employment programme. After the initial two-week training period, candidates will then progress onto our apprentice programme, where they’ll study and work, earning whilst learning. Those who wish to progress their careers further will have real job opportunities available to them, as well as sought-after transferable skills desired in the construction industry.”

A LASTING LEGACY

The construction of HS2 is displaying to the world the very best of British skills, innovation and ambition. It is also bringing the rail industry together, with businesses and employees in every region of the UK driving the project forward. Construction of the highspeed railway will inspire future generations of rail workers and leave a lasting skills legacy that informs and enables future rail projects.

Supporting and creating jobs up and down the country, HS2’s top-quality training is changing the lives of thousands of people. For more information or to search for opportunities, visit www.hs2.org.uk/jobs-and-skills

RAIL RECRUITMENT 2023

In early January, the recruitment firm Carrington West released its 2023 Rail Salary Survey Guide, giving a snapshot of rail workers’ potential earnings and providing an overview of the current recruitment market. The report gave a glimpse into the impact of recent global events on the rail industry and how firms were responding. RailStaff spoke to Oliver Gooch, department manager of Carrington West’s rail team, for a deeper look into the issues and some predictions for the year ahead.

HIGHLIGHTS

The job market over the past year has been ‘vacancy rich’, says Carrington West’s report and, with disruption brought by Brexit and the Covid pandemic now a little further behind us, a clearer picture for recruitment and working trends is emerging.

The report highlights a disconnect between employers who want their teams back in the office, and candidates who have tasted the benefits of flexible and remote working. And with the current cost-ofliving crisis, candidates are chasing higher salaries for their labour.

In design, consulting, and engineering recruitment, 2022 saw a steady demand for staff driven by major projects such as HS2, the awarding of TFL frameworks, and the ongoing projects of CP6. Skilled workers were particularly drawn to HS2, along with design talent.

On the project delivery side, last year saw a shortage of candidates, meaning the demand for professionals to work on major projects was not met. This was exacerbated by employers regularly counteroffering employees looking to move.

SUPPLY AND DEMAND

Overall, the recruitment environment is a good one for candidates, says Oliver. “The market is very positive at present. We’re seeing a really busy end to CP6 and with the start of CP7 we should see works continue, unlike the usual ‘feast and famine’ that we see in rail. On top of that we’ve got some major projects taking in all the skilled workers.”

However, Oliver points out that the impact of Brexit continues to make things difficult for employers looking to fill vacancies. “Brexit is having a huge impact,” he says. “We can no longer rely on the pool of European skilled workers, so we’re very reliant on the candidates we have in the UK, especially when it comes to design. With recruitment consultancies unable to tap traditional sources of workers, and with major projects ongoing, there is a huge shortage of employees of all sorts.”

Additionally, although the Covid pandemic is no longer the spectre it once was, it has definitely had an impact, with job seekers increasingly requesting hybrid working while employers seem eager to return to the office. “Remote working seemed to work, especially for the candidates who enjoyed it,” Oliver says. “But employers found they still needed staff in the office, particularly junior staff who they need to train and engage with more. We’re not really seeing many clients going back to a full five days in the office, but we’re seeing more and more hybrid working.”

The industry has also yet to see what the ‘new normal’ will look in terms of passenger numbers, which will obviously affect what revenue there is for funding works.

FINANCIAL CONCERNS

As if the past few years have not been eventful enough, the UK now finds itself deep into a cost-of-living crisis – itself the result of recent domestic and global turbulence. Financial uncertainty and the prospect of recession is leading many to favour job stability over change. That said, the rapid inflation of the past 12 months has seen salary expectations jump and those leaving their employers have been asking for significant pay increases. Requests for salary increases of £10,000 are not uncommon among those currently seeking new roles as individuals looked to shield their families, homes, and financial obligations from the current economic environment.

However, there are limits on what companies can pay, especially those looking for

Oliver Gooch.

permanent staff, says Oliver. “If a candidate requests a £10,000 pound increase, it’s not necessarily within the company’s budget. Because of that, we are seeing a lot of people wanting to go on contract as it can offer more money.” Indeed, Carrington West’s report highlights the discrepancies between the salaries paid by main contractors and those paid by consultancies, which have made managing candidate pay expectations difficult.

THE WHOLE PACKAGE

That said, some companies are beginning to raise salaries to attract permanent employees and counteroffers have also become a major theme. Companies generally know their employees value, and if an employee is offered a role elsewhere, their current employer will generally come back with a similar offer, Oliver says.

Candidates are therefore encouraged to look at the overall package that a prospective employer can offer along with the salary on offer, whether that’s job location, flexible working, progression, or pension contributions. Overall, candidates simply looking for a pay increase may end up better off staying where they are, once all benefits are taken into account. Plus there is always the distinct possibility that employers will offer a salary raise further down the line.

PREDICTIONS

For candidate’s looking for work, the opportunities are definitely there. Candidates now have a greater choice about where they work, with improved prospects for higher salaries. “Despite all of the external pressures, today’s recruitment market is a vastly different landscape to that seen in years past,” says Oliver.

“A few years ago, between CP5 and between CP6, we saw a huge number of people leave the industry. Now, it’s a busier market and rail workers have much more value.” says Oliver. “Additionally, major projects such as HS2 are bringing more people into rail. On top of this, the HS2 rail systems haven’t been tendered yet, and when that happens, those engineers and

delivery staff will not be short of work for quite some time.

While workers are expected to stay loyal to the industry, the sheer scope of today’s projects will continue to drive competition for their skills. Staff retention will be a major challenge for employers and they’ll need to think about how they engage their staff, how happy their staff are, and what benefits they can offer to prevent competitors poaching employees with financial incentives.

Employers will also need to consider where they draw their candidates from, says Oliver. “They are going to have to start broadening their net for candidates, bringing in people from highways, for example, and training them to work on rail. There will also be a higher demand for contract workers.” In an ideal world, most companies would prefer permanent staff because they can retain their skills. Ultimately, however, they have a project to deliver and after a prolonged period of searching for permanent employees, the choice is to either recruit contract staff or fail to deliver the project.

Overall, the picture for the industry is a positive one, says Oliver. “With the number of projects going on now, or about to start in the next few years, we’re really looking at a golden era for rail. I’m very excited for rail at the moment. The market is the busiest I’ve seen it for five years and I don’t see that changing as it currently stands.”

Signalling a career in Western Australia

Signaller / Network Controller Career Opportunities

About Arc Infrastructure

Arc Infrastructure manages and develops transport infrastructure assets that support growth and create jobs in Western Australia (WA). Rail is at the heart of our business, and the 5,500km rail network is the backbone of freight transport in Western Australia. Spanning a region around the same area as continental Europe, from the Midwest across to the Goldfields, and through to the stunning South West and Great Southern.We’re committed to working with industry, our customers, partners and communities to find new opportunities that will support and strengthen our rail network for the benefit of WA.

The Opportunity

Arc Infrastructure’s network control team is critical to our business, and responsible for the safe, economical, and effective monitoring and control of train services across our entire rail network.

We currently have opportunities for experienced Signallers / Network Controllers to join our team and make a difference on our network.

About you

The successful applicant will be an experienced Signaller/Network Controller who remains calm under pressure, is motivated, and is an excellent communicator.

You will be provided with in-house theoretical and on the job training. From our Perth-based network control centres, our experienced network controllers will work with you to help you adapt your skills and experience to our network. You will be working 12-hour shifts on a rolling roster over an average 38 hour working week.

Careers at Arc Infrastructure

Arc Infrastructure has created a culture of team work where diverse skills, ideas, and experience are valued. We promote a work environment that is characterised by personal accountability, mutual trust, and respect. At Arc, we take a genuine interest in our employees and their development. We understand our employees are the key to our success and, as a team, our focus is to ensure they feel safe, valued and fulfilled in the work that they do.

We will provide the successful applicant with a competitive remuneration package starting at $99,000 base salary, plus annual shift allowance of $27,663, plus employer superannuation contributions of 10.5%. In addition, we offer a benefits package including Visa sponsorship and relocation assistance.

ARC’S RECRUITMENT PROCESS

Arc Infrastructure will be in the UK as part of our recruitment drive in early 2023, please scan the QR code to apply. www.arcinfra.com

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MULTI-DISCIPLINED ENGINEERS (ELECTRICAL / MECHANICAL)

EXCITING CAREER OPPORTUNITIES FOR OTM TECHNICIANS / OPERATORSEAST & WEST COAST OF ENGLAND

Swietelsky Construction Co Ltd/SB Rail utilises the latest on-track technology to improve the safety, reliability and sustainability of mechanised railway engineering works. Owing to continued growth we are seeking multi-disciplined engineers to join our engineering team operating throughout the UK. (Additional exciting career opportunities are also available)

Swietelsky is proud to offer the most modern and diverse fleet of on track machines to the UK Rail industry.

We are a family friendly company and our ethos is shown in our flexible roster pattern of one in two weekends working, over our competitors. Generous rates of pay for a good and enjoyable day’s work.

The successful candidates for the role of OTM Technician/Operator will be highly motivated and a talented multi skilled engineer with experience working on hydraulic, pneumatic and electrical systems. Prior OTM experience is preferred but not essential as full in house training is provided.

Requirements for the successful candidate include:

• Undertake pre-planned maintenance, carry out reactive repairs if faults arise on site, operate OTM (full training given)

• Completed recognised Apprenticeship or NVQ to Level 3 in maintenance activities.

• Experience of diesel/hydraulic/PLC plant is desirable but not essential

• Good at problem solving and working under pressure.

• Attain and retain required competency as stated by ROGS (The Railways

• and Other Guided Transport System (Safety) Regulations 2006) and other applicable standards.

• Work away from home to meet contractual and training requirements.

In return:

• A generous and composite salary fully pensionable.

• Good work life balance working only 2 in every 4 weekends.

• 35 hour week on a 4 day shift pattern.

• 28 days holiday per year for full-time employees, which increases on a tiered system after 5 year’s service plus 8 Public holidays.

• A company van is provided for business use.

• Excellent employer contribution pension package and access to a 24 hour Employee Assistance Programme.

If you are interested in this or other available vacancies please contact www.sbrail.com or contact the recruitment team on recruitment@swietelsky.co.uk who will be pleased to provide you with a copy of the full job description as well as details of other available positions.

RAIL VEHICLE MAINTAINERS

OTE £44,000 - £50,000 | ROCHDALE & NATIONWIDE

We are looking for rail vehicle maintainers to work on various NR seasonal fleet vehicles and the ENVU trains. The successful candidate (upon successful completion of medical, D&A screening and Sentinel PTS) would receive full training and would then help deliver our Weedspray, Autumn and Anti ice contracts.

Previous rail experience is not necessary however a recognised qualification in heavy plant maintenance or vehicle maintenance is essential.

Requirements:

• Ability to produce accurate reports.

• A good level of IT skills

• Good interpersonal skills.

• Apprentice trained or rail qualified.

• Knowledge of rail mounted plant.

• Hold PTS (or expected to be able to obtain)

• PA1, PA02ST (desirable but not essential)

• BASIS NSK Storekeeper (desirable but not essential)

The benefits:

• Competitive Salary with OTE £44 - £50k

• Company Van and Fuel Card

• Monthly bonus scheme (upon successful probation completion) plus Christmas Bonus.

ABOUT US

JSD is an industrial contracting company dedicated to providing quality weed control and engineering solutions to the railway industry.

Our innovative approach has seen us working closely with clients such as Network Rail, Iarnrod Eireann (Irish Rail), Docklands Light Railways and London Underground to develop, manage and deliver all types of weed control programmes, engineering solutions and maintenance staff.

www.railuk.com

DRIVEN BY CHANGE Join Our P-Way Engineering Team

In joining Colas Rail, you will be joining a company that values your expertise and offers opportunities to broaden them.

You will have:

• Solid P-Way Engineering (Tech) experience

• Dozing using 2D lasers and 3D UTS

• Tamping

• Stressing all levels is preferable

P-Way Engineer – Anglia

We are expanding and with more work comes more opportunities.

As a P-Way Engineer, you will have the opportunity to work on the South Rail Systems Alliance work bank, maintaining and transforming vital UK Infrastructure across Anglia. Based out of our new Chelmsford office, your work will help deliver S&C, Plain Line, Re-rail, and Level Crossing projects!

You will be a key player, in ensuring our works are completed on time, safely, to standard and budget. You will be empowered to provide technical expertise on the planning and execution of works.

In your role, you will work within a team of P-way Engineers and a Delivery Team dealing with all technical matters on our multi-disciplinary sites, monitoring and ensuring technical compliance. Assist our Construction Managers with the production and planning of documents namely, Work Package Plans and Task Briefs.

• Knowledge of Track Renewals / Rail Projects.

• A full UK driving licence

• Flexibility with working shift patterns.

And what do we offer?

At Colas Rail we know how important job satisfaction is for everyone to support with life at home, your health and financial well-being, that’s why in return we offer a competitive salary and benefits package.

Please register your interest by sending your CV to recruitment@colasrail.com and we will provide you with further information.

We are constantly looking for new talent to strengthen the Colas Rail UK team.

Our people are our strength, and everyone working for Colas Rail UK plays a vital part in the company’s success.

Signalling and Systems Assurance Opportunities

Queensland, Australia

Take advantage of the current rail infrastructure investment boom and progress your career in stunning Queensland. O ering relocation assistance, visa sponsorship and competitive remuneration, there’s never been a better time to elevate your career.

Randstad is proud to partner with Queensland

Rail (QR) on a major international drive to employ signalling and systems assurance professionals from around the globe. Operating world-class passenger and freight rail services across Queensland, QR’s project pipeline of over $10 billion is expected to grow exponentially in the build up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. As a result, QR is committed to securing remarkable talent to deliver on its goals.

opportunities available

Senior Project Managers

Principles Testers

Testers In Charge

Design Managers

Design Engineers

Senior Project Engineers

Systems Assurance Engineers

Senior Manager Integration and Systems Assurance

career benefits

Relocation assistance

Visa sponsorship

Competitive remuneration

Flexible work environment

Development opportunities

Diverse and inclusive culture

why choose queensland?

More people from within Australia migrate to Queensland than any other state. It’s not hard to see why, with a fantastic climate, a ordable living, beautiful beaches, national parks and one of the world’s great wonders – The Great Barrier Reef, Queensland has it all.

how to apply

If you want to grasp this life changing opportunity then please submit your resume to qr@randstad.com.au or visit randstad.com.au/rail-australia

Signalling Opportunities…

Trackwork is expanding its Signalling Department (formally TICS Global Ltd) with a range of opportunities from entry level to senior appointments.

We currently have vacancies in:

 Business Development

 Commercial Management



Project Management



Project Engineering

 Design

 Installation

 Test and Commissioning

 Maintenance

If you are looking for an established employer that gives great career development and progression opportunities, then send your CV to jobs@trackwork.co.uk

People for Infrastructure

McGinley hires workers or finds permanent employees for companies in the infrastructure sector of the construction industry, building and managing workforces all over the UK

Whether you are looking for a job or a supply chain partner, we have the knowledge and expertise to help you succeed

As true infrastructure experts we have over 40 years ' experience and an unparalleled network. This combined with a large number of accreditations, memberships and awards give you the confidence you need to engage with us.

WE ARE RECRUITING

• PTS & safety critical contingent labour

• Signalling & telecoms

• Overhead line electrification

• Track welding

• Minor works packages

• Flexi-jobs apprenticeships