The new National Training Academy for Rail (NTAR) is opening its doors in October 2015.
EAL, the specialist awarding organisation for industry, will certify and validate 39 courses at NTAR through its accreditation services, covering traction and rolling stock.
The first students from Siemens and South West Trains will join in October 2015, while members of the Rail Engineering Design Technician Apprentice Group will also be attending a residential week.
The academy at Kings Heath, Northampton was jointly built and funded by the National Skills Academy for Railway Engineering (NSARE) - drawing on a repayable grant from the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills - and Siemens. Facilities include a large fully fitted workshop, a virtual reality suite, a ‘digital railway’ room, and areas dedicated to European Rail Traffic Management System/European Train Control System and rail electrification.
Half of the Academy’s capacity is allocated to the wider rail industry with the remainder for Siemens’ use. Julia Chippendale, managing director of EAL, said: “This is a fantastic new facility that will make a real difference to skills in the railway industry and support the huge rail infrastructure programmes underway across the UK.”
“EAL has worked with Siemens and NTAR to validate a suite of courses offering flexible learning solutions to support trainees, apprentices and existing staff. It will help to build a workforce that can steer the railway network through a transformational era and attract bright young people into the industry.”
Jayne Lewis, Rolling Stock Training Manager at Siemens said: “Working with EAL, we are launching a newly-accredited programme of practical technical instruction that will allow staff to build their skill base step-by-step.”
“Beginning with the successful completion of five modules (from a choice of eight) to achieve an Award in Traction and Rolling Stock Maintenance, individuals can then progress through five further modules to the Certificate stage.”
“Finally, five concluding modules will qualify them for the Diploma in Traction and Rolling Stock Maintenance, which will become the ‘gold standard’ for training in the sector. These Diploma courses also include developmental options designed to enhance supervisory skills, which can serve as a ‘bridge’ to the more advanced leadership and management modules available at a later stage of career progression.”
Links
The National Training Academy for Rail (NTAR):
http://ntar.co.uk/
The National Skills Academy for Railway Engineering:
http://www.nsare.org/
Siemens Rail Solutions:
http://w3.siemens.co.uk/mobility/uk/en/rail_solutions/pages/rail_solutions.aspx
