01.12.05
Network Rail unveils training centre
Councillor Andrew Carter, Leader of Leeds City Council officially opened Network Rail’s new operations training centre in December.
The multi-million pound complex in Leeds will train new and existing signallers and other operations employees, including station staff, using simulator technology and teaching in classrooms. Around 250 operations employees will pass through the centre each year, with a similar number being trained at a ‘sister’ centre in Watford.
Since 1990 rail traffic has increased by 30%; a trend that is set to continue as the pressure to relieve road congestion by encouraging rail use mounts. Whilst coping with the increased rail use, the industry has also committed to reducing delays and increasing the number of trains which are on time. The role of signallers and other operations staff in the day to day running of the railway is vital, and adequately trained staff are a necessity in order to meet these targets.
General Manager of Network Rail, Neil Hendry, said, “Since taking over the rail infrastructure, Network Rail has been keen to invest in its people by raising standard of training, equipment used and in achieving greater consistency across the business.
“We are raising the bar on operations training and competency, and we are very proud to open this new centre in the heart of West Yorkshire which will play a key role in improving the overall performance of the railway.”
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