Ashley Bray

Said the following about Nicola Sysum:

“Nicki has led one of the biggest challenges our team has faced over the last 12-months, the development of IET training.

The learning and development team were asked to deliver IET training to Peer Trainers in the business, which sounded simple enough. Nicki received the training package from the supplier, read through it, and pulled it apart. Knowing that it was not fit for purpose Nicki spoke to other areas of the business to share her concerns. This led to the decision that starting again and writing a course that is fit for GWR and fit for our colleagues. This was a mammoth undertaking which Nicki took on with a positive approach. It took Nicki out of her comfort zone, having to learn the new traction, professional learning and development processes, and engaging with key stakeholders to create the training delivered today. To make this happen Nicki worked 100s of hours in her personal time, at weekends and evenings. Nicki went far above what is expected of her in the role, especially as she was only 5-months into her role as a trainer! However, to get the course developed Nicki engaged with Hitachi and our Operations Standards team to formalise safe methods of work, create operational standards, and influenced changes to how the train operates. Nicki’s approach meant decisions were made and very often Nicki’s suggestions were adopted.

Nicki created a risk-based learning needs analysis, designed the course, piloted the course and delivered it to peer trainers.

Nicki did not only surpass her responsibilities in learning and development, she crossed into operations standards and train design!! Nicki co-ordinated the efforts of the Learning and Development team and was a driving force behind other teams within the IET project. Nicki was tenacious and showed great resilience throughout the life of the project!

When it came to the roll out of training, Nicki had a plan for this too, guiding and advising the On Train and Rostering teams to plan the training and found every opportunity for her team to deliver the training to support the tight timescales to get the training completed.

Nicki went above and beyond for this project for over 7-months at great personal sacrifice. Throughout the project Nicki remained positive and engaged, even when things went wrong, or the situation became very frustrating. Nicki’s work ethic and communication ensured she remained calm, professional and solutions focused!

Nicki is passionate about the safety of our colleagues and customers. This is evidenced through her challenging approach with delegates on training, role modelling safe behaviours and challenging customers/colleagues when out and about on the network. Nicki will stop, have a conversation with someone to stop unsafe behaviours or provide helpful advice.

Nicki recognises when someone could compromise safety, whether it is through lack of knowledge, experience, or a poor attitude. There have been many occasions where Nicki has had conversations with individuals and line managers to support colleagues to work safety and meet our own operational safety standards. Nicki then incorporates these experiences within the training for new delegates.

Nicki offers after course support, where colleagues can contact her with additional questions, concerns, and immediate solutions. This means Nicki is responding to emails, calls, and texts any time of the day/night and day of the week, this is not something expected of Nicki – this is something Nicki chooses to offer her delegates as she wants our colleagues new into their role to work safely and deliver for our customers.

As mentioned above, Nicki’s work to support the IET project meets this value as well as accountable for performance. Her drive to create the best development to meet the needs of the business, the peer to peer support, and how she challenged others to ensure we were ready in October 2017 for the first IETs entering in service.

Nicki joined the team and immediately took on lots of additional responsibility, recognising the work required to improve the operational training and develop new material. Nicki has been the lynch-pin in the team, co-ordinating activities, planning workload, and gaining input from the wider business.

Nicki has supported new colleagues in her immediate team (all of which have been in the team less that 12-months). Supporting her new team members, coaching and mentoring them without hesitation has meant that we have an established team that is delivering for the business. This has been recognised by delegate feedback and stakeholder feedback. Recently the following feedback was received by two delegates;

“I hope I am sending this to the correct team, but I would like to address one of your trainers Nicki Sysum

Nicki has made our training days so enjoyable.

She has patience & also demonstrates how a trainer should teach a session. With Pride calmness & laughter. These sessions with Nicki will long live in the memories of all of us in our group.

When Nicki is training us, I believe her day becoming much more manageable, as I think, she has 100% confidence in us in succeeding in our future roles within GWR

I hope this information gets noted & is sent to Nicki for praise & I speak on behalf on the training group in saying that she has been the best trainer we have had since we have started our training courses at the Start of August.

A wonderful, kind, considerate individual & a fantastic trainer.

Thank you, Nicki. It has been an absolute pleasure.”

“Dear GWR Training Team,

I am not sure if this is the correct email address to send this to,but seeing as though Nicki Sysum is now on holiday I wanted to take the opportunity to provide some feedback and to pass on my sincere gratitude.

Throughout our course Nicki has been a wonderful trainer. She has demonstrated patience, empathy, and kindness in every aspect of the training. Her ability to impart detailed and difficult knowledge is commendable and she is a real credit to the training team.

So, thank you Nicki... you have been a star!”“