Media centre

Thursday 20 Sep 2007

GOSPORT-BASED NETWORK RAIL APPRENTICE SCHEME SCOOPS NATIONAL AWARD

Region & Route:

| Southern: Wessex

| Southern

Network Rail has won this year’s People Management Award in recognition of its successful and innovative approach to developing the next generation of railway engineers. The award was given to Network Rail’s Advanced Apprenticeship Scheme, which was introduced to meet the need for skilled technicians who will form an important part of the company’s future. The company was the overall winner and category winner, 'Business impact through learning and development'. Launched in 2005, the scheme combines personal development and technical training and is based at Royal Navy facilities at HMS Sultan in Gosport, Hampshire. An investment of £30 million makes the programme one of the biggest in the UK. Each year, up to 240 apprentices enter the scheme, spending the first year of their course at HMS Sultan and undertaking technical training delivered by Flagship Training Ltd. Accommodation is provided at nearby HMS Collingwood. Network Rail staff teach years two and three of the course, delivering a range of rail-specific training before successful completion of the course provides apprentices jobs within the company’s maintenance function. Iain Coucher, Chief Executive of Network Rail said: “We are changing the very nature of Network Rail, what it is and how it operates. Training and development are key parts of change, which is why Network Rail developed its apprenticeship scheme, the most talented of whom would go onto a Foundation Degree at Sheffield Hallam University, and leadership schemes for potential high flyers. “This is a huge investment in our future. This apprenticeship scheme will deliver over 1,000 skilled technicians who will become the backbone of Network Rail for the next 25 years.” The People Management Award is presented to outstanding organisations that demonstrate how good people management has helped them improve performance and achieve business objectives. The award was announced at a Gala Dinner in Harrogate, at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development’s Annual Conference and Exhibition. Geoff Armstrong, CIPD Director General said: “This winning entry centres on a real business need at Network Rail. They knew they had to develop a large number of highly skilled engineers, to fill skills gaps identified after maintenance was insourced from a variety of contractors and deliver the safe and reliable railway system we all expect. “Their innovative approach using Royal Navy facilities and expertise is building a core of people with technical, problem-solving and team working skills. “Graduates of the apprenticeships system will have further opportunities to develop through, for example, foundation degrees and other qualifications. They will be well placed to move into leadership positions with Network Rail as they progress in their careers.”