Press Releases

Back to press index

RAIL SKILLS AGREEMENT

GoSkills and Rail Safety and Standards Board sign Heads of Agreement

Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) and GoSkills, the Sector Skills Council (SSC) for passenger transport, are pleased to announce the signing of a Heads of Agreement covering the relationship between the two companies in the area of National Occupational Standards for the Rail industry.

The partnership is designed to provide a framework for the development and review of National Occupational Standards in order to ensure that they meet the requirements of the rail industry and the broader Skills for Business Network.  GoSkills has been given the ownership, development and maintenance in relation to occupational standards on behalf of the industry: RSSB is a key stakeholder and will contribute to the development of occupational standards to ensure that they reflect technical integrity, railway safety standards, European requirements and industry best current practice.  In addition, the two companies will work together to undertake research into the skills needs of the industry as part of the formation of a Sector Skills Agreement for passenger transport as a whole.

Anson Jack, RSSB’s Director of Standards said: “This agreement provides a significant opportunity for the rail industry to link its competence and safety frameworks to National Occupational Standards and NVQs in rail operations.  This working partnership of two standards organisations will place rail within the broader national training frameworks and support the industry in complying with new European regulations.” 

Peter Huntington, GoSkills’ Chief Executive, added: “GoSkills is new to the rail industry having merged with the Centre for Rail Skills in April. We have been delighted by the warmth and enthusiasm shown by rail bodies, and very much welcome this agreement with RSSB which is in the interests of rail operators. We look forward to working closely with RSSB on this and future projects.”

Ends

Press enquiries please contact:

Richard Tibenham – Communications Manager - 0121 635 5530, email: richard.tibenham@goskills.org

or Fraser Tennant – Communications Executive – 0121 635 5531, email: fraser.tennant@goskills.org

For further information on the Rail Safety and Standards Board please contact the press office on 0207 904 7525 or visit the website at www.rssb.co.uk

Notes to Editors:

1. GoSkills was founded in December 2003. It was recommended to receive its licence to operate as the Sector Skills Council for Passenger Transport by the Sector Skills Development Agency in October 2004. Its mission is to be the leading authority on skills issues for the passenger transport sector.

2. GoSkills sector coverage encompasses the following industries and professions:
   1. Aviation
   2. Bus
   3. Coach
   4. Chauffeurs
   5. Taxi and Private Hire
   6. Community Transport
   7. Rail
   8. Trams
   9. Driving instructors
   10. Transport planners

3. Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) was established in April 2003 as an independent, not for profit organisation tasked with improving safety performance across the national rail network.  The company is owned by the railway industry, is limited by guarantee and has a board and an advisory committee.  It is independent of any single railway company and their commercial interests.