Training the Next Generation
28 August 2002 14:20
Scott Wilson Railways, one of the UK's leading railway consultants, and Stow College Glasgow, today launched a pioneering new course in railway engineering. As the first twenty students attended the inaugural lecture, a wide cross section of industry and Further and Higher Education representatives gathered to welcome the fruits of more than a year's labour by the two organisations.
The venture will see students take three modules at HNC level, fully accredited by the SQA, initially as part of the second year day release course, whilst plans are well advanced for a block release programme for other industry entrants to accelerate their learning.
The initiative has been welcomed by: the Railway Industry Training Council (RITC); The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE); the Permanent Way Institution (PWI); The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA); and the Association of Training Providers (ARTP).
Within Scotland, Railtrack, First Engineering and Jarvis have attended seminars and shown strong interest.
Hugh Blackwood, Scott Wilson Railways, Chief Executive, and author of the industry acclaimed paper 'Railway Engineers: Training the Next Generation' said 'much has been made in the media of the lack of training post privatisation, however we have a raft of training initiatives helping develop over 80 trainees around the country in our quest to become the preferred employer' and, with respect to his role as Chairman of Stow College, he said 'Vocational courses can only benefit from partnership between college and industry: this is a classic partnership drawing on the strengths of both organisations, the potential of which can be gauged by the overwhelming response we have already had'.
Bob McGrory Principal of Stow Colllege said 'this is another exmaple of the type of initiative we want to be associated with: focused learning in a controlled and accredited environment which meets the needs of the employers. We have invested heavily with Scott Wilson Railways and look forward to a continuing relationship with them as we develop the modules. It is immensely satisfying to help maintain Scotland's reputation as a source of engineering excellence and Glasgow's longstanding status as a railway city'.
Keith Wallace, Scott Wilson Railways Operations Director responsible with Stow's Jim Dunbar for developing the modules and driving them through the accreditation process said 'the industry needs to increase its resource on a scale and speed never seen before. We are taking the best parts of BR, Scott Wilson and professional institute training schemes, investing heavily and working closely with college and industry partners to satisfy these needs'.
Tim Wood of Scott Wilson Railways who has been instrumental in creating the course material and will deliver the initial lectures said 'what started as a plan to help Scott Wilson Railways has mushroomed into an coherent programme for the industry. The enthusiasm of our guinea pig students during development trials was astonishing, and can only bode well for the course'.
For more information on this company:
Scott Wilson - International Multi-disciplinary Railway Consultancy
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