Rob Styles

Said the following about Beckton Depot Team:

“Thales Field Operations had a transition period between major projects and a need for staff to maintain their current skills and licences, and for others to gain new skills and development. The solution was to develop an in-house facility within the new Thales Beckton depot.

The challenge was to build a fully functional Training Rig, with no design and originally very little budget which would allow Thales to maintain current licensing and as stated above develop staff further in line with individual Personal Development Plans.

Richard Cordwell (Verification Tester) contacted me and asked if he could be a part of the team involved in the build fit-out and test of the new rig as he was very keen on sharing his knowledge gained working across Network Rail and London Underground for over ten years.

I along with other members of the management team agreed to this and considering Richard experience it was agreed that Richard would lead the team carrying out the work on the rig.

Working alone initially then supported by some experienced staff, notably John Stacey (Thales LVAC) and Lee Martin (Field Operations) the team started by recycling old parts, phoning around a network of Signalling staff and depot managers asking for donations of parts tools/redundant equipment.

What originally started with an empty room and a load of old parts and quickly became a bespoke training rig with its own design exceeding all expectations. Richard was supported by a team of apprentices and he guided them through all aspects of working within a live environment and teaching them key practical installation skills. The feedback from the apprentices has been fantastic and all commented on the approach Richard had taken with the environment albeit a training room and his training style has given them a real insight into the work place that they will be working in. Because of the success of the training by Richard a decision was taken to rotate all of our apprentices through the build stage of the Training Rig to benefit from what Richard could offer.

As more and more staff and managers have seen the quality of the Training Rig it has been agreed to be expanded it to include more complex circuits, and bespoke novel use of Raspberry pi and video image of a set of points. All of which has been painstakingly hand drawn by Richard.

• Worked predominantly alone with minimal support.

• Helped apprentices learn new skills.

• Exemplary behaviour, high level of health and safety.

• Started with nothing (show photo’s).

• Up-cycled and fixed old assets.

• Used new novel technology not seen before in training school.

Richard and his team of apprentices deserve recognition for their achievement’s not only the quality of their work but because they have made this project their own. Richard has worked way above his grade and has overcome every hurdle. Including minimal initial budget, creating his own designs and then working with engineering designers to check and approve his work . Richard and his staff have taken a proactive attitude towards safety; identifying the relevant standards they need to work to and ensuring that all staff working on the Training Rig have been thoroughly briefed on each task. The area has been under safety audit and it has been commented that the area has a very high safety standard.

• Richard put himself out and contacted me to do this work.

• This project had low budget initially, just a empty room and a load of old kit.

• Engaged and influenced others outside of his immediate organisation

• Showed what is possible if your determined and passionate.

• Created his own handwritten designs.

The outcome is a training rig that any signalling team would be proud of from a Design, Installation and testing perspective. This will ensure Field Operation staff can maintain their IRSE licences, and train towards new licences. Richard and his teams contribution legacy will ensure Thales GTS will not only maintain there current levels of IRSE licenced staff, but this will increase. You cannot put a price on this. During this project Richard and his teams have worked as the following

• Richard Job description is Verification Tester. During this project he has worked alone with minimal support as :

• IRSE Installer and Team Leader

• Signal Design Engineer

• Richard worked with others departments outside the business both clients, Technical Directorate collaboration.

• Ordered and Specified all the necessary tools and parts.

HOW did they do it?

• Lead a team of apprentices with no experience

• Worked and lead as part of a big team engaging other departments LVAC, Engineering Design, Technical Directorate.

• Created and designed a bespoke solution using novel tech (raspberry pi) and old TV monitor to simulate a set of points using video.

• All that he lead had a superb attitude and work ethic, often working in there own time.

WHAT were the results and/or impact?

• Ensured that all staff has a training facility, progressing training during a down turn in work.

• Provided training to a whole group of new apprentices.

• Legacy for future training.

• Highlighted the need for future training

• Secured budget for a bespoke training area.“