Training for the Rail Industry

Qualitrain has many years of experience working with rail organisations. We offer a wide range of apprenticeships and qualifications to upskill staff working throughout all levels within the sector, from engineering and leadership and management to the new improvement standards focusing on Lean Six Sigma. The benefits of training include improved workforce skills, increased safety, and enhanced operational efficiency for both individuals and employers.

We work directly with organisations to initially conduct a training needs analysis, then offer a programme of apprenticeships and qualifications tailored to satisfy the specific needs identified. Our training programs are designed for employers looking to upskill their workforce and for individuals interested in entering or advancing in the rail sector, covering a comprehensive range of topics.

Certain training focuses include safety, engineering, and leadership, ensuring that all critical areas are addressed. Specialized rail short courses offer a quick way to gain specific skills in the rail sector.

Over the years, this has contributed to long-term relationships within the rail industry. Investing time and effort into getting to know our clients, listening to their needs and serving them to the best of our abilities is the foundation of our successful partnerships. Rail companies invest significantly in training and development programs to enhance the skills of their employees.

Introduction to the Sector

The rail industry is a cornerstone of the UK’s transport network. It plays a vital role in connecting people, goods, and communities across the country. The railway industry demands technical skills and up-to-date knowledge from its workforce. For new entrants, gaining a solid understanding of the UK rail sector is essential for professional development and long-term career success.

Training courses tailored to the rail industry, such as those offered by the National Skills Academy, provide individuals with the opportunity to develop the skills and expertise needed to thrive in this challenging environment. These programmes cover topics such as railway engineering, operations, and safety, ensuring that learners are well-equipped to meet the demands of the industry. Investment in training and continuous development contributes to the ongoing growth and innovation of the railway industry.

Understanding Railway Infrastructure

A deep understanding of railway infrastructure is fundamental to effective railway operations. The rail industry depends on a complex network of tracks, signals, stations, and supporting facilities, all of which require expert management and maintenance. Railway engineering plays a key role in the construction, upkeep, and enhancement of this infrastructure, ensuring that it meets the highest standards of safety and reliability.

Specialist training in railway infrastructure management allows individuals to develop the technical skills and knowledge needed to excel in this field. These programmes cover essential topics such as engineering principles, project management, and the latest industry practices, helping learners to build expertise and support the smooth operation of the railway.

Rail Engineering Training

Apprenticeships

We currently deliver the Level 2 Rail Engineering Operative and Level 3 Rail Engineering Technician apprenticeships. Apprenticeships in the rail industry typically take between 12 and 36 months to complete, with flexible options available for both face-to-face and online learning to suit different schedules and needs.

As part of the apprenticeship process, candidates in the rail industry must pass medical assessments, background checks, and drug and alcohol screenings.

NVQs

Additionally, we deliver the Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Performing Engineering Operations and the Level 3 NVQ Certificate in Rail Engineering Traction and Rolling Stock qualifications. Completing these NVQs can significantly improve your job prospects in the rail industry by providing essential skills and recognized credentials.

Each qualification is focused on the core learning against any specific Traction and Rolling Stock role, and the key understanding that the rail industry has a high level of safety-critical work activities that require a disciplined and responsible approach.

It is important to note that GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 in maths, English, and sometimes science are often required for engineering jobs in the rail industry.

Core Learning

The learning covers safe working practices, general engineering techniques, how to work effectively to engineering solutions, fault finding and diagnosis to prevent or address equipment failures, general maintenance practices and effective replacement of components. The curriculum also includes the latest technology used in rail engineering, such as digital systems, telecommunications principles, on-board software, firmware, and operational cybersecurity.

With the launch of Qualitrain Engineering Academy, we now also offer the Level 3 Metal Fabricator, Level 2 General Welder, Level 2 Engineering Operative and Level 3 Engineering Technician Apprenticeships.

The market itself is challenging. Finding and recruiting staff with the right experience and skills is getting harder within this competitive industry. Engineering skills taught at college are not always specific to rail and put more burden on a business’s competency management team.

Our experience within the rail sector has ensured that we have a track record of working closely with our customers to identify exactly what their specific training needs are. The rail industry offers a variety of roles, including engineering, signalling, network control, and customer service.

Team Leading & Management

Level 3 Team Leader/Supervisor Apprenticeship

Within this area, we offer the Level 3 Team Leader/ Supervisor apprenticeship, which helps the development of the first-line management role. The learning helps provide direction, instructions and guidance to ensure the achievement of set goals. The learning also covers leading and managing people, building relationships, communication, operational and project management, finance, self-awareness and decision making.

Level 5 Operations/Departmental Manager Apprenticeship

Additionally, we also deliver the Level 5 Operations/ Departmental Manager apprenticeship. This qualification helps managers develop key skills, including:

• Creating and delivering operational plans
• Managing projects
• Leading and managing teams
• Managing change
  Financial and resource management
• Talent management, coaching and mentoring

Bridging the Skills Gap

Leadership and Management development has arguably never been more important as organisations traverse waters in a sector that is not only upgrading but expanding to meet increasing demands. It is exciting to equip, educate, and empower the future generation leaders to satisfy these demands!

We are proud to have helped to bridge that skills gap and given rail organisations a clear path to succession planning.

Work Experience and Placement

Gaining practical work experience is invaluable for anyone looking to build a successful career in the rail industry. Work experience placements provide new entrants and young people with the opportunity to apply their knowledge in real-world settings, learn new skills, and gain a deeper understanding of different roles within the sector. These placements allow learners to work alongside experienced professionals, solve problems, and become familiar with the tools and practices used in railway operations and engineering.

For employers, offering work experience and placement opportunities helps nurture future talent, support succession planning, and ensure that new employees are well-prepared to meet the demands of the workplace. By investing in practical training and hands-on experience, the rail industry can continue to attract, develop, and retain the skilled workforce needed to drive progress and innovation.

Lean Six Sigma

What is Lean Six Sigma?

Lean and Six Sigma tools are used to drive efficiency and productivity to reduce waste within processes. These tools can be used across all departments and roles. Wherever there is a process being followed, Lean Six Sigma can help identify and reduce any waste.

Qualitrain provides training to upskill existing staff in the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to operate in a sustained, continuous improvement culture.

Apprenticeship Levels

We offer the full range of Lean Six Sigma apprenticeships right up to Degree level, meaning you can utilise your Levy to fund training.

The full range of Lean Six Sigma apprenticeships includes: Level 2 Lean Manufacturing Operative, Level 3 Improvement Technician, Level 4 Improvement Practitioner, Level 5 Improvement Specialist and Level 6 Improvement Leader.

All of these qualifications are between 12 and 36 months in duration.

How We Deliver Training

Our delivery methods use a blend of Lean and Six Sigma, project and change management principles and tools to identify and lead the delivery of change across organisational functions and processes.

At levels 5 and 6, Improvement Specialists and Leaders are responsible for leading the deployment of the improvement strategy.

They are also responsible for training others and providing broad and deep technical expertise in advanced and complex Lean and Six Sigma.

Through Lean Six Sigma training bespoke to your business needs, your efficiency and profits can be streamlined.

Business Impact

With the recognised Lean and Six-Sigma training, we apply the new standards around achieving projects set within your organisation. We mentor and coach your staff, leading them by the hand through projects you have determined. These measures are usually focused on improving customer quality, delivery to customers and reducing internal costs.

Critically, if you can’t measure something, it can’t be controlled. If you can’t control it, you can’t manage it. If you can’t manage it, you can’t improve it! Business improvements are key, and our case studies show significant return on investment for the organisation.

General

Competence management and risk

The purpose of competence management in the rail industry is to control risk.

Safety-critical rail work is regulated by law, and all such personnel must be managed through a competency management system. Therefore, beyond specific qualifications and on a commercial basis, we can work with competency management teams to create individual competency plans.

We also provide assessment support to meet compliance requirements for safety-critical working.

Engineering workshops and health & safety training

We have vast experience in creating bespoke engineering workshops specifically for traction and rolling stock to standardise engineering practices and upskill engineering knowledge and practical elements for specific maintenance needs.

Recruitment and pre-employment training

Our specialist trainers also offer powered equipment training and all aspects of health and safety training across the rail sector.

Finally, we can support the recruitment of new staff through specific pre-employment training. We work alongside recruitment agencies and your HR team to facilitate this. Our training is built around your specified requirements to ensure that when new staff start, they are productive from the onset.