IRSE Sept 08.indd

APPRENTICESHIP AWARD
IRSE
So how do we measure success of the
Network Rail Advanced Apprenticeship
Scheme, is it by individual progression, or
is it by the effect it will have in the long
term development of Network Rail, and the
UK rail industry? I think it is by both.
Individual success will always be easier to
measure, academic achievement,
vocational achievement, promotion, and
economic activity are all relative and fairly
easy for individuals to measure against
their peers both within the railway industry,
and those outside. More difficult is the
organisational benefit derived from the
significant investment. Achieving
Experienced Worker Standard [EWS] in a
shorter timescale, achieving high levels of
retention, encouraging mobility, and
promoting transferable skills, these are
some of the metrics that can be applied.
But what about the effect on culture within
Network Rail, how will that change over a
period of time, and to what extent will the
Advanced Apprenticeship Scheme have on
that change? When will this be achieved,
what is a significant cohort of apprentice
trained technicians, supervisors and front
line managers needed to inculcate this
evolutionary change from the bottom up,
supporting the other top down drivers for
change. What effect will 200 have on the
business? And what effect will 2000 have
on the business? Maybe that should be
another article in a few years time.
Supporting the growth of the UK
economy is also another lynch pin of all
apprenticeship schemes and underpins
the government’s current emphasis on
developing a workforce with a higher level
of skills. The UK skill base is falling behind
other countries, not because we are
standing still, but because other countries
are progressing faster and further.
Economic competitiveness is dependent
upon significantly increasing the UK skills
base, and this set against a significant
decline in school leavers just around the
corner. The Leich report identified the
need to increase the quality and quantity
of apprenticeships in the UK, and Network
Rail has risen to that challenge.
So after just three years of the
Advanced Apprenticeship Scheme, how
successful has it been? Marketing of the
scheme has had an effect, from 950
applications in 2005 to 3500 applications
for the 2008 intake. This year, the first
Telecommunications apprentices will also
be taken on. Network Rail are attracting a
more diverse workforce into the scheme
with a higher percentage of ethnic
minorities and females into engineering
apprenticeships than the national average.
The academic achievement of the
apprentices has also steadily risen with
75% of the 2007 intake achieving a
distinction in mathematics at BTec Level 3
[ONC in old speak]. Retention during the
Taryn Bailey being presented
by Colin Porter, Chief
Executive IRSE, with the
IRSE/NR S&T Apprentice of
the Year Award trophy (left)
and Award Certificate (above)
at HMS Collingswood on
13 June 2008
(Network Rail)
apprenticeship scheme has also steadily
increased from 88% for the 2005 intake to
99% for the 2007 intake. Individual
performance has also been recognised.
Taryn Baily who was this years IRSE/
Network Rail S&T Engineering Apprentice
of the year, has just been appointed to a
Senior Technician position at Preston.
The 2008 intake commences in
September, and the future of the scheme
looks pretty well secure for the next few
years. Have we done enough to meet the
increased demand over the next decade,
of course time will tell, but I think we have
made significant strides over the last five
years, and we will continue on that path.
We have risen to the challenge.
(Colin Porter Footnote)
The IRSE Council initiated the IRSE/NR
S&T Apprentice of the Year Award earlier
this year to recognise the significant efforts
being put into recruitment and training by
Network Rail.
The award consists of the colour light
signal Trophy which is retained at
HMS Sultan, a Certificate, a cheque for
£100 and a year’s free membership of the
IRSE.
The Trophy was kindly donated by
Unipart Rail, having been manufactured at
the York Service Centre.
IRSE/NR S&T Apprentice of the Year Award trophy
(Colin Porter)
24
Issue 137 September 2008
IRSE
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