How we developed a Technical Training Package for a UK based Train Operating Company (TOC)

The Challenge:

Safety, reliability & performance is paramount to the success of any Train Operating Company (TOC) a key player in this is “Rolling Stock Maintenance.” Part of any maintenance regime requires human intervention for tasks such as Inspections, Examinations, Testing, Removing, Replacing of Train System Components and Fault Finding. During these processes we must ensure standards are achieved and maintained whilst consistently raising the experience for the customer and key stakeholders. It is imperative that all maintenance staff have access to high level training experiences removing any barriers the learner or company may encounter.

With the above in mind SWR required a Technical Training Package that would allow delivery and assessment of all non-safety and safety critical systems that make up the Class 484 Electric Multiple Units (EMU) operating on the Isle of Wight as part of the Island Line Network.

The course needed to produce highly skilled and competent technicians who have a comprehensive knowledge of multiple train systems to deliver a safe, reliable & efficient railway.

What we did:

A representative from ESG attended a series of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) training sessions. This provided us with a greater understanding of the systems, components, and resources allowing us to target key outcomes that meet the expectations of the client and aligned to the agreed project scope.

We then produced a set of overarching course learning outcomes driven by the train systems and the level of interaction they have regarding to safety and operation. The outcomes we created were measurable and of the required level of sophistication that the learners understanding needed to be, aligning the course against the key objectives set by the client which was not only to train but also provide a pathway to competence for each member of staff maintaining the Class 484 EMU’s.

The client needed an element of flexibility built within the course to accommodate the challenges faced by the depot such as staff and trainer availability, shifts and operational demands. To overcome this we designed a ‘Modular Framework’ that allowed the overall course to be broken down into smaller pieces also known as “chunks of knowledge.” This process allowed learning outcomes to form a relationship with the modules, whereby individual topics were created to provide a pathway to achieving the overall course outcome. If needed staff can be trained, assessed, and deemed competent in specific systems to be productive and gain valuable experience before having achieved the overall course and pathway to competence.

We designed each module to follow a ‘Linear Flow Model’ as it gives structure to the program ensuring outcomes can be achieved within planned milestones meeting depot and company objectives also having flexibility to change these modules around.

Formatting delivery was structured by focusing on content delivery – activities – assessment and feedback providing structure also giving that much needed scope to differentiate between staff with specific rolling stock knowledge also those with engineering experience not necessarily in rolling stock.

After successfully creating course outcomes, modules, topics and formatting the delivery we were able to create session plans / schemes of work that detailed individual session outcomes, trainer / learner activities, formative / summative assessments and resources also promoting the integration of Non-Technical Skills (NTS).

With the course now having substantial structure and detailed against the key requirements of the scope, we were able to focus on developing both formative and summative assessments. These assessments were created from content delivered through modules, sessions and individual topics including practical activities. This aligned the assessment process completely against the outcomes ensuring the level of understanding for each learner is captured.

We worked closely with the competency team at SWR so they could incorporate the newly developed training material into their competency management system allowing the achievement of a pathway to safety critical competence.

ESG successfully delivered on time and within budget a technical training package that would allow the island line to train all staff within maintenance activities of the Class 484 fleet. A total of 33 individual modules targeting subjects such as introduction to schematic reading and high voltage supply operation to both traction motor & auxiliaries’ systems were created.

If you are looking to improve your technical training and assessments in 2024, please get in touch, we would be happy to discuss how ESG can support you.

Thank you for reading!

Paul Adams

www.engineeringsolutionsgroup.co.uk

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