Successful New Training Programme Completed by South West Trains and Network Rail Alliance

18 employees awarded NVQ qualifications

Programme delivered in partnership with City and Guilds and Bracknell and Wokingham College

All training completed in-house as part of Investors in People commitment

The South West Trains Network Rail Alliance has awarded NVQ qualifications to 18 train drivers and guards as part of its commitment to Investors in People.

The new vocational qualification for rail drivers and guards was launched following approval by the awarding organisation, City and Guilds, in 2012. This industry leading training is delivered in collaboration with Bracknell and Wokingham Colleges and Sector Skills Council People First. The qualification marks a significant step towards the development of very high level of competency standards for the rail industry, all delivered in house.

The qualification has been developed as a result of a unique collaborative project by the South West Trains Network Rail Alliance, City and Guilds and Bracknell & Wokingham College. The training course is also based on the dedicated National Occupational Standards for the industry, which have set the tone for the content and shape of the qualification, again developed by People First in collaboration with the South West Trains Network Rail Alliance.

Paul Wallis, Qualification Manager for the South West Trains Network Rail Alliance, said:
Up until now, any validation of a train driver or guards achievement has led to a train driving or train working license but no formal qualification. With our in house training for drivers and guards, we can build on our industrys excellent training record and encompass the specific training needs of those that work in it. I am confident that there will be a significant take-up of the qualification in the coming months both internally and externally while helping people to gain their Enhanced NVQ.

New drivers and guards positions and training applications can be found on http://www.southwesttrains.co.uk/driver-training-programme.aspx