UK: Rail Supply Group Launch New Strategy
Image courtesy of RSG
The UKs Rail Supply Group, a dedicated group of stakeholders in the rail industry, supported by the Department for Transport and the Department for Business , Innovation and Skills has released details of RSGs strategy to encourage growth and development in the rail industry.
The strategy was outlined in a speech from Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin and Managing Director of Alstom UK & Ireland Terence Watson. They outlined a policy of supporting and encouraging suppliers by improving the supply chain, increasing productivity and creating a cohesive approach across the industry in:
- procurement and planning
- international promotion of UK technologies
- education and skills drive
- support for SMEs
- international and national promotion of exports and inward investments
Sajid Javid, Secretary of State for Business , Innovation and Skills and co-chair of the Rail Supply Group said:
The UK was a rail industry pioneer and this strategy will ensure we are global leaders for years to come. A strong rail sector supply chain is essential for out future productivity and the commitment to take on 20,000 new apprentices will provide opportunities for our young people to start successful future in this vital sector.
Patrick McLoughlin, Secretary of State for Transport and co-chair of the Rail Supply Group said:
We are funding the biggest rail modernisation programme since Victorian times which is creating opportunities for UK suppliers across the country. We support the rail industrys plans to strengthen our supply chain so British companies can win more work here and abroad.
Rail Supply Groups focus on developing a skilled rail workforce is very welcome. Our priority is to attract the nations talent to the industry and to equip them with the skills to deliver on our commitment to build a world class transport infrastructure system.
Terence Watson, Managing Director of Alstom UK & Ireland and Rail Supply Group Industry co-chair said:
The opportunities in the rail industry right now and into the foreseeable future are vast, with HS2 on the way as well as other much needed investments in upgrades, signalling and electrification.
But just to build these projects and then pack up at the end would miss the point. As an industry we must use them to kick-start a new wave of UK manufacturing and exporting prowess, maximising the benefit to UK PLC. Thats why we are pledging today (1 February 2016) to work together to double the industrys export volumes, drive economic growth and create thousands of new jobs and apprenticeships across the country.
The RSG acts as a body for rail stakeholders to liaise with the government and the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), bringing Network Rail and passenger and freight operating companies, thereby it is an organisation which represents the interests of the whole industry.
Paul Plummer, Chief Executive of the Rail Delivery Group and the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) said:
The UK rail supply chain is key to our economy beyond the critical contribution it makes directly to Britains railway. We are therefore pleased to be working with RSG both to help its work in support of the UK rail supply chain and to improve supply chain input to RDG work on the future of our railway.
Simon Kirby, Chief Executive of High Speed Two (HS2) Limited said:
The Rail Supply Groups strategy augurs well for the industrys future in the UK. Its aims of driving productivity; attracting and retaining the best talent; and pushing the boundaries of technological innovation is exactly the approach HS2 Ltd is looking for to deliver the new north south high speed rail network.
The strategy will be reviewed every three years.
