DB Cargo UK has announced that they have joined forces with the National College for High Speed Rail to launch a new Level 3 Train Driver Apprenticeship programme.
January 2019 saw seven apprentices start their 18-month apprenticeship programme. The apprenticeship will provide the trainees with a recognised qualification to validate their internal technical training and vocational training.
The National College for High Speed Rail is the provider of the apprenticeship, with DB Cargo UK providing the driver training.
As well as being trained to drive trains, the apprenticeship standard also covers a range of wider topics including leadership, professional development, customer services, commercial awareness, safety, health and wellbeing.
DB Cargo UK is supporting National Apprenticeship Week 2019.
What did the officials say?
DB Cargo UK's Apprenticeships Manager Kerrie Talbot said the programme further strengthened the company's working relationship with the college which stands just a stone's throw from DB's headquarters in Lakeside, Doncaster.
“We are delighted to be the first rail freight company to be involved in the delivery of such a programme. This apprenticeship standard is evidence of what can be achieved when Train Operating Companies, Freight Operating Companies, On-Track Machine Companies, Trade Unions and regulators come together and collaborate,” she said.
“A special thank you to Marie Orchard, Apprenticeship Standards from NSAR, who brought the trailblazer group together, and all the rail companies that worked on creating an apprenticeship standard for train drivers that works for the industry” she added.
“There is an acute shortage of train drivers here in the UK and this is an excellent way of developing a new pipeline of talent and creating the next generation of drivers.”
“What we want to get across is that being a train driver is not just about getting a train from A to B. We want to ensure that our existing operational staff and drivers of the future receive a recognised qualification and understand the broader context in which they operate and have all the necessary skills to be an ambassador for DB Cargo UK,” said Kerrie.
“The National College for High Speed Rail understands the needs of rail freight operators and we are delighted to increase our collaboration with the college”
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