Network Rail commits £55m to train apprentices

Funding will go to 'upskilling the rail industry' at seven new training centres across UK

Network Rail has invested £55m in its seven training centres across Britain as part of its commitment to “upskilling the rail industry”.

Mark Carne, Network Rail chief executive, said: “We need a highly skilled workforce to enable us to deliver our multi-billion pound railway upgrade plan and a network fit for the 21st century.

“That’s why we have a steadfast commitment to training and developing everyone from apprentices and graduates to upskilling our 35,000-strong workforce and others across the industry with the latest digital, technical and engineering skills. We know this investment pays off with more than 80 per cent of the 2,000 apprentices trained since 2005 still working for us and contributing to a safer and better railway every day.”

Network Rail’s seven national training centres include Larbert, Scotland, Walsall in the West Midlands, Bristol in the west and Paddock Wood in the south east. Final touches are still to be made to the Basingstoke, York and Swindon centres which will open in 2016. The centres are to deliver 270,000 training days a year for Network Rail and 250 different railway companies.

Mark Carne said: “We’re also building for the future with a programme worth £37 million adding three new training centres across Britain which will make a massive contribution to upskilling our people.”

Network Rail said it is opening the Basingstoke Rail Operating and Training Centre to “meet the demand for highly-skilled staff on major upcoming rail infrastructure projects”. Staff are already taking advantage of the training facilities at the site, which are due to fully open in April 2016. The 5000 square metre training centre is the first campus in the country to provide training for staff from both Network Rail and South West Trains under one roof.

Tim Shoveller, managing director for South West Trains, said: “Basingstoke is an absolutely superb facility and we are delighted to be working alongside Network Rail to ensure we can continue to provide the very best facilities and opportunities for our staff in the future.”