Hayley Slack

Said the following about Jeff Broadhurst:

“Stobart Rail has continuously invested in its training department and consequently has robust systems in place that facilitate the continuous development and improvement of the business. This includes regular reviews of industry standards and what impact this may have on our operations and staff.

Staff progression is key to the success of our business. Stobart Rail have embedded a People Strategy into the heart of the new company induction, allowing all staff to know and understand the true benefits and working ethos of being an employee of Stobart Rail.

We have created an easy way to remember our values:

S – Safety

T – Teamwork

O – Openness, Honesty & Integrity

B – Brand

A - Aspiring Leaders

R – Respect

T – Training & Development

Our dedicated Training Departments key function is to promote and encourage employee development via high-quality educational training programmes. The Department also manages the competencies of our employees as well as the others that we directly employ.

All the trainers within Stobart Rail are hands on and have come from a similar delivery background as the learners, this we feel is a key strength, as it allows effective communication and dialogue to flow between trainer and learner. Subsequently a sound element of trust is developed and this further enhances the learning process.

Stobart Rail own its own Equality and Diversity policy as well as appeal procedures ensuring that all learners receive equal and fair treatment.

From your first day at Stobart Rail you are made to feel part of the team. All new employees receive an induction about the key values of Stobart Rail and how you will help to build the company.

Stobart Rails Training Department promotes and encourages all employees to develop their career which in turn enhance organisational successfulness and robust succession planning. The main function of the Stobart Rail Training Department is to improve our competency levels and develop new skills within the company.

We employ apprentices from within our local community. Typically following a successful training programme, the apprentices are offered full time employment within the business.

As part of Corporate Social Responsibility, Stobart Rail are involved in the development of young people in our local area, this involves strong ties with schools and colleges.

Ian Noble, Leader of Student Support Appleby Grammar School year 11, said “we are really proud of our links with Stobart Rail and it’s great that our students can benefit from all of their expertise.” Stobart Rail conduct mock interviews with their Students every year to provide experience and help boost confidence. Our Training Team were recognised by the National Skills Academy for Railway Engineering by being awarded an Outstanding Training Provider Award from Ofsted in 2014.

Stobart Rail works closely with Brathay Trust and relished the opportunity to inspire over 230 students, aged between 14 and 18, from across Cumbria at the World of Work day in July 2015. Our aim for the day was to welcome students into our business and provide them with hands-on experience.

We set out three timed challenges which required attention to detail, teamwork and problem solving. The key message for all students was, “attitude and aptitude is key to gaining employment with Stobart Rail, our recruitment process is not purely focussed on academic qualifications – we are looking for potential employees to be keen to learn and enthusiastic about working for Stobart Rail”

To highlight the diverse opportunities Stobart Rail can provide for students, our delivery team on the day consisted of our business development team, fitters, trainers and plant operators.

Jeff Broadhurst, Stobart Rail Training Manager commented “it was so rewarding to see the excitement in the students faces after they completed the challenges and the confidence it gave them.’

The Stobart Rail Training Team consists of ten individuals who are committed to delivering quality programmes including Track Safety, Skills Training and Driver CPC. Courses are self-delivered either at our Head Office in Carlisle or at our bespoke training facility at Longtown.

Our training programmes provide our staff with unique and innovative programmes designed to nurture, enhance and develop all staff alike. Trainers and Assessors endeavour to identify literacy and numeracy difficulties via joining instructions and during inductions to training events.

Our trainers and assessors have completed a Level 4 Training and Development programme that enables them to not only improve their techniques as a trainer but improve the provision they provide to the learners. The Training Manager has completed a foundation degree course in Leadership and Management; thus ensuring professional development is led by the manager of the department. The lead co-ordinator has successfully completed a Level 3 NVQ in Business Admin as well as a NVQ in Customer Services and these skills have been embedded into the rest of the team.

The Stobart Rail practical training facility at Longtown has been designed solely with the learner in mind. The facility authentically replicates real life industry conditions that will be encountered on site whilst retaining the level of control required by the trainers in order to ensure everyone’s safety during the training programmes.

Stobart Rail have introduced new management and leadership programmes which have been redesigned to meet the ongoing requirements of our business. These programmes are available for all employees who have the drive, ambition and commitment to grow and develop with the company. Stobart Rail is always looking for ways to make our training programmes more enjoyable and engaging for employees. The Training Department are approachable, friendly and a core part of Stobart Rail.“