Department for Transport

New skills for new railways
_______________________________________________________________

date 17 Mar 2010 00:01
source Department for Transport
type Press release

note News Release issued by the COI News Distribution Service on 16 March 2010. (UNDER EMBARGO UNTIL 0001 WEDNESDAY 17 MARCH 2010)

Transport Secretary Andrew Adonis today welcomed the creation of a new National Skills Academy for Rail Engineering, which has been announced by the Department for Business Innovation & Skills.

The academy will receive nearly £3m of Government investment through the Skills Funding Agency and has the support of organisations including Network Rail, Transport for London, Rail Freight Group, the Rail Industry Association and the Association of Train Operating Companies.

Transport Secretary Andrew Adonis said:

“The creation of this new academy is very timely. Just last week I set out proposals for a new high speed rail network linking London to Birmingham, Manchester, the East Midlands, Sheffield and Leeds.

"Building and maintaining this network would not only create significant new opportunities for the UK’s design, engineering, construction and manufacturing sectors, it would require a new generation of skilled railwaymen and women.

"Over the next twenty to thirty years the UK will require a step-change in transport capacity and connectivity. We believe high speed rail is the way to achieve this step change and this Rail Academy will help provide the skills we would need to make it a reality.

The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) has also approved a Tunnelling and Underground Construction Academy in Ilford, London, to be run by Crossrail. The new facility will receive £5m public funding and will develop new courses and qualifications, providing training for up to 1800 people a year.

Notes to editors

The creation of a new National Skills Academy for Rail Engineering, which has been announced by the Department for Business Innovation & Skills alongside academies for Logistics, Green Building Services and Power. National Skills Academies bring together employers, Government and learning providers to coordinate training programmes.

Press Enquires: 020 7944 3108 Out of Hours: 020 7944 4292 Public Enquiries: 0300 330 3000 Department for Transport Website: http://www.dft.gov.uk

Railhub Archive ::: 2010-03-17 DfT-002