The UK rail industry is set to receive an extensive skills boost thanks to a new rail training academy developed collaboratively by Siemens and NSARE (National Skills Academy for Railway Engineering).
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An innovative agreement between NSARE and the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS) with support from the Department for Transport (DFT) will provide half the funds required, with Siemens contributing the other 50 per cent.
Go-ahead for the new training academy, which will specialise in traction and rolling stock skills, was announced today at the NSARE annual conference in London. It will be located in a state-of-the-art facility at the site of Siemens existing flagship train depot and UK service headquarters in Kings Heath, Northampton, creating around 100 jobs in its construction and subsequent operation. It is expected to open its doors to the first students in Spring 2015.
Currently some 13,500 people work in specialist traction and rolling stock roles across the UK. The new academy will focus on addressing the future skills shortage in this part of the UK rail sector – forecast to be around 4,500 people over the next five years - caused by a combination of factors, including: an ageing workforce; the technological advancement of rolling stock; and, investment and growth in the industry.
The Northampton training centre, which will offer 20,000 man days of training per year, will act as a national hub with regional spokes located at other train care facilities around the country. The 50/50 funding agreement will release 50% of the academy’s training capacity to the wider UK industry, with the remainder used by Siemens own rail sector employees. ■
A low pressure wave forming along a cold front will track across the New England coast this morning, bringing a period of rain, heavy at times for much of New England, especially for Maine today.