NESTrack - Training for Tomorrow
23 Mar 2006
It goes without saying that in today’s fast-moving world of business there is more integration of different parts of overall management systems.
Labour, competency maintenance, safety, quality, auditing, verification and technical issues are all now key issues for many rail companies. This is where the services offered by rail recruitment specialist, NESTrack, could be invaluable.
The NESTrack MRS (Managed Recruitment Services) unit provides rail-associated businesses with a full recruitment service as part of its own growth strategy. Says Tony McQuarrie, quality manager at NESTrack: “We have a well-established record of being able to supply the high demand, rare skills that the rail business needs and this is one of the reasons that we are confident the services we offer benefit all our customers.”
The training options available through NES enable it to offer support for all levels of personnel. This unique capability ensures that all staff training requirements can be met, in an industry that is placing increasing value on professional qualifications, particularly in the area of project and programme management.
Operations
In addition to the development of programme management skills (delivered in association with the Aim Academy, one of the UK’s foremost providers of accredited training) NESTrack has now established competency training centres throughout the UK and will continue to develop the service by offering delegates quality training in a learning environment.
Recognising the need to develop, maintain and promote the highest levels of training and ability in the rail industry, a NESTrack instructor is required as a minimum to have achieved a V1 qualification and be certified to City and Guilds level three. “We can arrange in-house training at the client’s premises at a convenient time, which ensures that we’re fully flexible. All programmes are reviewed on a continual basis so that their content is up to date and the courses remain effective,” says Tony.
The construction skills certification scheme and the construction plant competence scheme, as well as on site assessment and training, are new and practical ways to combine skills development with formal qualifications. These assist in meeting the increasing demand for operators to have recognised qualifications.
NESTrack has entered into partnership programmes with major clients to support Network Rail competencies and companies that have taken part have found the joint venture has provided them with the qualified workforce they have needed, without creating disruption to their daily working practices.
Says Tony: “We evaluate the client’s projects and tasks and supply labour with the appropriate abilities to complete any selected skills programme, arranging skills profiling aimed at confirming operator potential and identifying skills needed going forward. The operator training is then co-ordinated through a registered skills centre.”
“The CSCS partnership scheme successfully facilitates progress towards an increasingly qualified and safe rail workforce, and also addresses both Network Rail and industry needs for common standards of safe working. Our fundamental objective is to further support customers when they take delivery of contract labour and NESTrack does so to the highest degree,” Tony added.
Management
In partnership with Aim Academy, NESTrack can offer its clients and contractors a range of best practice-based training courses that lead to professional qualifications in project and programme management. This is especially pertinent as the rail industry begins to acknowledge the standard set by the Association of Project Management in its APMP certificate.
Aim Academy offers an intensive four-day residential course followed by a one-day examination preparation event to give its participants practical skills as well as preparing them for best chance of success in the APMP examination.
Says Mark Flynn, training director at Aim Academy: “Over the last twelve months, we have experienced a huge increase in demand from within the rail sector for accredited project management training. In particular, courses leading to the APMP certificate examination are proving to be very popular.”
Assessment and audit services
The track assessment provision is an integral part of NESTrack’s training operation and solidly supports the management recruitment service. NESTrack recognises the need to support the client not only in training staff but also in monitoring and maintaining capabilities. The provision is available day or night to carry out workplace assessments throughout the UK and a comprehensive database is maintained that can identify any infrequent or outstanding assessments.
“NESTrack with the help of the Aim Academy are able to offer its clients a complete management system, and the most cost effective solution to meeting Network Rail’s stringent requirements,” Tony states. “For client evaluation, we’re uncomplicated, well-configured and effective in meeting the needs of the business going forward,” he concludes.
NESTrack is an approved training and assessment organisation registered with Achilles, who provide licensing and accreditation of training and assessment providers to Network Rail.
Tony McQuarrie, quality manager at NESTrack Ltd, the rail recruitment specialist division of the NES Group, can be contacted at:
NESTrack Ltd, Mirren Court Three, 123 Renfrew Road, Paisley PA3 4EA
Tel: 0141 849 7700
Fax: 0141 887 8222
tony.mcquarrie@nes.co.uk
www.NESTrack.com
Mark Flynn, training director at Aim Academy can be contacted at:
PO Box 13, Winsford,
Cheshire CW7 3FE
Tel: 01606 596264
mark.flynn@aimacademy.com
www.aimacademy.com