Recruitment
“Having worked his way up from stations through to guard and driver, Tommy transferred into the grade of Resource Controller at Southport depot two years ago. Resource Controllers are responsible for day-to-day traincrew issues at the depots, including all rostering, annual leave, reporting of sickness, delay attribution identification, medical checks for staff as well as other issues that can arise daily. Additionally, they are the identified first aiders & fire wardens at their respective locations, they look after the weekly and periodic notices, keep all notice cases up to date, issue equipment, look after stores, report and audit depot faults, are responsible for taxi bookings and look after the weekly depot audit to ensure everything is in order and correct.
During Tommy’s short time in the role and in line with business recovery, some significant cost saving activities resulted in the RC grade being removed from Southport transferring Tommy to Kirkdale depot at short notice. It would have been easy for Tommy to have felt hard done by, but to his credit Tommy embraced the challenge in a both a positive and proactive manner.
Tommy took ownership of the project issues, creating solutions combined with an injected pace into problem resolution. Tommy was able to prioritize concern items with abilities to firefight and structurally plan managing issues through to closure and lessons learned.
In a short period of time Tommy has not only achieved a smooth transition of depot harmonization, but also high performing depots engaged in continuous improvement.
Just a few of the many implementations to mention include; standardisation of processes between depots, benchmarking and adoption of best practices, introduction of digitization and screens to allow the remote working of Southport from Kirkdale, numerous system user guides, enhanced training programmes for RCs and deputies, increased colleague competencies, deep clean and depot refurb.
Tommy is engaged with fellow staff and managers, demonstrates a “can do” attitude with a self-drive to go above and beyond, and without prompt has changed shifts at short notice, worked additional hours as well as assisted colleagues/attended depots to resolve issues during his rest day periods. Tommy is always available to colleagues for help and advice, is a credit to the Resource Controller grade, a credit to Merseyrail and we have no hesitation in putting him forward for this award.“
“Tommy is a traincrew supervisor at our Kirkdale Depot. He is responsible for the rostering of drivers and guards daily. This also includes staff welfare issues, briefing, communications, medical arrangements, assisting traincrew management when necessary and general troubleshooting.
In line with our business recovery due to the pandemic Tommy was transferred from his depot at Southport to Kirkdale. It would have been easy for Tommy to have felt hard done by this, but to his credit Tommy embraced the challenge in both a positive and proactive manner. He has been proactive and helpful making positive changes and streamlining work processes. Nothing has been too much trouble for him.
He is constantly sought after by managers to help resolve problems and the phrase "Tom will know" is a common theme within the management team. He is a vital part of how the depot at Kirkdale is ran and deserves recognition for his constant delivery. Tom clearly takes immense pride in what he does and is open to supporting whenever asked in a timely and professional manor. He always resolves problems at pace and actively stops issues before they arrive. Just a few of the many implementations to mention include; standardisation of processes between depots, benchmarking and adoption of best practices, introduction of digitization and screens to allow the remote working of Southport from Kirkdale, numerous system user guides, enhanced training programmes for TSs and deputies, increased colleague competencies, deep clean and depot refurb. Tommy is engaged with fellow staff and managers, demonstrates a “can do” attitude with a self-drive to go above and beyond, and without prompt has changed shifts at short notice, worked additional hours as well as assisted colleagues/attended depots to resolve issues.
Tommy took ownership of the project issues, creating solutions combined with an injected pace into problem resolution. Tommy was able to prioritize concern items with abilities to firefight and structurally plan, managing issues through to closure and lessons learned. In a short period of time Tommy has not only achieved a smooth transition of depot harmonization, but also high performing depots engaged in continuous improvement. He is conscientious and committed with a strong work ethic. He identified opportunities for improvement during a difficult transition period plagued with issues and low colleague morale. Tommy stepped up and took responsibility and accountability to drive improvements with a positive and can-do attitude, removing obstacles to allow change. Throughout 2021and 2022 he continues to increase colleague morale, improve organisation and performance. Tommy has implemented things that are both efficient and achievable, using common sense and innovative solutions (remote screens). He continues to strive for better which is demonstrated through the continuous improvement implemented within the depot.“
“Tom has helped me personally, he has aided his fellow colleagues in the office and outside of the office working longer than what was required of him. He has given up many hours in updating systems that are quite archaic on our railway not for personal gain but to make our working environment a better, safer and indeed more friendly way of working.
He is a credit to Merseyrail and deserves all or any accolades on offer.“
“I have known Tom for many years and watched him worked his way up through the Grades to the position of Traincrew Supervisor at the busy depot of Kirkdale. Always proactive this intelligent individual, is always on hand to help and assist in problem solving and does it with a smile on his face, well respected and dedicated this selfless professional will organise and produce well thought out process to give solutions and all done with a wicked sense of humour. Able to think on his feet and under pressure he helps maintain the service during the most difficult of times. Tom’s selfless support of others in need of help has been relied on many times.
Relishes and embraces change Tom will turn any obstacle into an advantage to achieve successful outcome all done in his usual stoic fashion, his positive can do mind set is a role model for other seeking success, he is most definitely one of life’s enablers.“
“Once again the Rail Staff Awards did not fail to impress! The event was a fantastic spectacle and Bridgeway were proud to sponsor for the 9th year in a row.”
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