LEARN IT AT NETWORK RAIL

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: january 2014 :: RMTnews 22 I was elected as a union learning rep about three years ago by my branch and I realised that there were going to be huge challenges coming for members due to re-training. I had been made aware of Network Rail's operating strategy for signallers roles and the potential implications for track recognition programmes. I started to search the internal vacancy pages and found lots of them in other roles within the company and the only thing stopping my work colleagues from applying was the lack of modern education qualifications. I discovered at this time that there was no learning agreement between Network Rail and RMT. Surely it would benefit the company to train experienced staff for these roles rather than get someone with no railway experience? The first stage is to show that training would benefit everyone. Emily King had been recently appointed as RMT development worker with responsibility for NR, and her hard work in getting us to the threshold of a national agreement cannot be underestimated. She talked Network Rail into allowing some basic Skills for Life Courses to be run in workers own time and convinced them to fund a success bonus for all involved in the trials. These were run in Bristol, Doncaster and Liverpool and were a resounding success, and proved to Network Rail that there was a thirst within its workforce to learn. From these early successes, the Learn IT programme was created. It had been noted that there was a huge desire within the workforce for an ITC based course. There was an argument that by training staff to better levels of IT competence, it would not only benefit staff development, but also improve efficiency and safety. If members were better trained on all equipment and expected to know how to operate them, such as smart phones and computers, then it will reduce accidents and incidents. Emily produced a document that the board of Network Rail could understand, that it will ultimately save money. Network Rail agreed to investigate the opportunities we had presented them and came back with an agreement to appoint a national provider and run some trials to prove the concept. The Skills Partnership was appointed and it was agreed to run trialsl. These trials have been such a success that before they had even finished Network Rail decided to roll out the programme nationally from January 2014. The programme is based around normal everyday IT, including smartphones and iPads, with an element of functional skills. Towards the end of the basic course, there is an opportunity to choose options that better suit your circumstances. These include more intensive IT training, or The Career Toolkit. The toolkit teaches members how to write a CV, fill out online application forms and survive in the modern world. I would encourage anyone within NR interested in receiving some excellent free education to contact their Union Learning Rep for further details. These courses are open to everyone and NR has agreed to arrange reasonable release for these courses. Finally, I would like to say thanks to Emily and my fellow ULRs Dave Edwards and Mark Eastwood for their fantastic hard work and excellent achievements. LEARN IT AT NETWORK RAIL Union learning rep (ULR) Gary Abbott explains how a new learning agreement has been reached with Network Rail