Morson Training has become the key strategic partner for Network Rail training delivery as we have been appointed as master vendor for track safety, first aid, working at height, and portable transportable and mobile plant (PTMP) equipment.
The four-year commitment, with the potential of a further four-year extension, is one of the biggest contracts of its kind in the rail industry and signifies a renewed effort to meet the UK’s increasing rail infrastructure demands through the training and upskilling of Network Rail personnel nationwide at all stages of their career, including those on track and office-based colleagues.
A City & Guilds and National Skills Academy for Rail report, published in 2019, highlighted the urgent need to address the industry’s skills shortage, predicting that up to 120,000 additional people will be required by 2030, with demand for skills reaching its peak in or around 2025.
As the UK rail sector’s first and only ‘Platinum’ awarded training provider, Morson Training is well-placed to address the scarcity of fully trained operatives, while the Morson Group is already widely recognised for working with its clients to build diverse, long-term infrastructure talent pipelines.
The partnership with Network Rail also heralds the launch of the first ever national rail training and assessment academy. Designed to facilitate pathways into the exciting world of training and assurance, the Morson Training Academy will increase the bench strength of the training provision in the industry and futureproof the sector.
The training facility is a further example of Morson Group’s commitment to future proofing skills and the desire to support large scale infrastructure projects by delivering effective, on the ground training and education. Especially given the news that the National College for Advanced Transport and Infrastructure will close in July.
Network Rail’s Head of Training, Guy Wilmshurst-Smith commented:
“This partnership represents a step change in Network Rail’s training procurement practice, meaning all suppliers delivering track safety, working at height, portable plant and first aid training will now need to work with Morson Training to deliver into Network Rail.”
“As the demand for training across Network Rail grows, working in tandem with Morson Training delivers a streamlined approach which will drive quality and collaboration and at the same time allow training suppliers up and down the country to get involved. We’re excited by the prospects and look forward to seeing the benefits and opportunities that implementing this training structure is sure to bring.”
Matthew Leavis, Group Training Director at Morson Training added:
“We’re proud to have worked with Network Rail for several years now. They have always been committed to developing their team and we look forward to combining our expertise and resources to further improve their training capabilities.”
As the strategic partner for all Network Rail track safety and portable transportable and mobile plant training, we deliver training courses nationally. We’re looking for rail plant trainers and track safety rail trainers to join us to help deliver this exciting contract. Understanding the challenges many rail trainers face working away from home we offer local work for local trainers to address the work-life balance issues that plague the rail industry.
If you share in our passion to help learners reach their maximum potential, are dedicated to providing a quality learning experience and want to work locally to your home, we’d love to hear from you. Search rail trainer jobs here.
