Lead trainer Gary Benco has been a crucial part of Morson Training since joining the company six years ago. He brings a wealth of experience, both to the classrooms and on-site, we spoke with Gary about his journey from the military into training and the job satisfaction he finds in seeing his trainee’s progress.
How did you get started in training?
“I was 42 when I transitioned, before that I was employed in the military for 24 years. I had a job that I wasn’t interested in, and luckily fell into a job as a trainer. I don’t believe it’s ever too late for anybody. If you want to go for it, go for it. There are a lot of things to learn of course. You need to gain experience, and knowledge of the rules is critical. But, once you’ve got that, the transition from experienced trackman to trainer is relatively simple. You do training and assessor qualifications, which a company like Morson will put you through. Once you’ve got them, just take it one step at a time, starting at the bottom with PTS and small tools and as you gain more experience, work higher and higher.”
What is your favourite aspect of your role?
“My favourite aspect of my role as a trainer at Morson is watching talent develop. We have people who start with PTS who become look-outs, COSS or ES. Some of the lads working at Vital I’ve known for 10+ years and they progressed through my training, which is really good to see.
One of the things I most enjoy is being a mentor. I was 16 when I joined the Army. I had great mentors and training, which really made an impact on me. I now see delegates at an engineering supervisor level, or COSS level who I trained when they first come in. It’s great for job satisfaction. They always say hello, we’ll chat and discuss the training experiences they’ve had with me. I generally get good feedback from them and that’s brilliant.”
What attracted you to Morson?
“I became aware of Morson a few years ago. I was working for another company, and I wasn’t very happy working there. I previously worked for Vital Skills too, which was a forerunner of Morson. Matthew Leavis got in touch with me and explained more about the company to me. They are an exciting and progressive company, and I came on board shortly after.”
Since beginning his rail journey back in 2003, Gary has had a highly decorated career in rail and has showcased that you don’t have to follow a strict route to be successful in rail. Whether you’re an experienced ex-military person like Gary, looking for a career change, or see yourself as a promising apprentice like Charlie Green and Denzil Bell, Morson Training can provide the relevant training for your career to progress as you choose.
