TALYLLYN’S NEW YOUNG VOLUNTEER PROGRAMME IS A BIG SUCCESS
The Talyllyn Railway has launched a new initiative for under-16s to circumvent legislation which prevents young people from volunteering.
The ‘Under 16 Training & Development Programme’ has been developed in response to legal advice received from the Heritage Railway Association, after it was discovered that the Employment of Women, Young Persons and Children Act 1920 would preclude people younger than 16 from volunteering on preserved railways (SR483).
The scheme, which takes place over four weekends per year, explores various aspects of operations within the framework of the rules laid down by the 1920 act. TR press officer Glenn Cannon said: “It is anticipated that those attending the whole course will, by the age of 16, be at a stage where they will be able to engage directly and positively with the practical aspects of training, making it possible to progress very much more rapidly to a qualification.”
Training Coordinator Matthew Wear commented that the initial weekend had been received with great enthusiasm and over 80 participants have now taken part in one or more of the weekends. One 15-year-old participant said: “Although the change meant that we were no longer ‘let loose’ to assist, the programme was a good thing in to have participated in” and he was “looking forward next year to being able to resume practical training as a volunteer.”
The TR has already received enquiries from other HRA members interested in sharing and developing this initiative for their own young members.