Rail Industry Skills Forum created to ensure the industry attracts and retains skills

Leading train companies, skills bodies and the government have launched a new forum to advise on the future skills needs of the industry.

The Rail Industry Skills Forum has been created to ensure that the industry attracts, develops and retains the skills required to run the railway system.

While each organisation will continue to provide skills training, the forum will also handle government funding for skills programmes and focus on aligning the industry with the government’s initiatives in skills development outlined in the Leitch Review.

The forum has also been charged with directing the Rail Safety and Standards Board research and development programme in workforce development, which is funded by the Department for Transport (DfT).

Peter Bennett, HR director at Network Rail, will chair the new initiative. Also on the forum will be representatives from the Association of Train Operating Companies, London Underground, the Rail Freight Group, and the Railway Industry Association, along with the DfT and sector skills council Go-Skills.

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Bennett told Personnel Today: “One of the forum’s initial key areas will be the development of Level 3 [A-level] skills in line with the Leitch Review.

“Only by working together will we have an authoritative voice when dealing with government.”