TRAINING FOR THE FUTURE
Siemens has a strong track record of not only collaborating in research and development, but also in training and skills development through the National Training Academy for Rail (NTAR).
Opened in October 2015 by former Rail Minister Claire Perry, NTAR was co-established by Siemens to help tackle a forecasted industry skills shortfall of around 8,000 people over the next decade in rolling stock maintenance and engineering.
This is partly a symptom of an ageing workforce. But there’s a need for people with new skills, as more technologically advanced rolling stock joins the UK train fleet, featuring the sophisticated equipment needed for Network Rail’s Digital Railway programme.
NTAR is a public-private partnership between Siemens, which provided 50% of the £7 million start-up cost, and government, with the remaining 50% coming from the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS), the National Skills Academy for Rail (NSAR) and the Department for Transport (DfT).
Under this agreement, NTAR offers 20,000 days of training per year by releasing half its capacity to Siemens’ employees, and the remainder to the wider UK rail sector.
NTAR’s national hub is located at Siemens’ King’s Heath Traincare facility in Northampton, which is equipped with the latest digital, 3D and virtual reality technology to give students the right tools to perform vital maintenance roles in the digital age.
It is now welcoming its third intake both at Northampton, and also through its growing number of regional partners located at other training academies, colleges and train care facilities across the country.
It also has a growing number of trusted partners to help deliver parts of the curriculum, including IMechE and the Institute of Railway Research.
It offers courses in Digital Railway, leadership and management, professional skills development and technical training, alongside apprenticeships to new entrants to the industry after becoming one of the first training providers to offer the Rail Engineering Technician ‘Trailblazer’ Apprenticeship Standard.
Simon Rennie, NTAR’s general manager, explains: “We’ve built this facility and put competitive interest aside for the wider benefit of the industry and everyone here receives a common rail engineering apprenticeship standard regardless of the organisation they belong to.
“NTAR is also creating more and more partnerships and delivering high-quality training across a network of colleges, so the location, and having everything here in Northampton, is becoming less critical.
“In terms of where we go next, we keep a close eye on new technological developments, and what standards we can adopt that will be useful for Network Rail’s evolving Digital Railway programme.”
He adds: “We’re also working with the National College for High Speed Rail to share ETCS equipment, which shows training providers that we’re not just sitting here accidentally competing, but that we’re using our skills sets collaboratively for the benefit of the industry.”