Coyle Rail has made significant strides in upskilling our workforce, surpassing targets and building a versatile, multi-skilled team to meet the evolving needs of our clients. By doing so, we have not only enhanced the quality of the services we deliver, but also progressed the professional growth of our employees, equipping them with the necessary skills to thrive in the dynamic rail industry.
Addressing the Rail Sector’s Skills Shortage
With the rail sector facing a critical skills shortage, having a workforce that is both highly skilled and adaptable is more important than ever. Our comprehensive upskilling programme directly addresses this challenge. By offering targeted training across a variety of roles within the industry, we are preparing our employees to take on a range of responsibilities while supporting the long-term sustainability of the sector.
In the 2023/24 period, we set an ambitious goal to upskill 38 workers per month. Not only did we meet this target, but we exceeded it, successfully upskilling 2,278 workers throughout the year. The total investment in this training programme was £453,976, covering vital qualifications such as COSS (Controller of Site Safety), PTS (Personal Track Safety), EFA (Emergency First Aid), and other essential competencies required in the rail industry.
Furthermore, we've partnered with leading training providers, including Intertrain, Express Medicals, and Safety Counts, to ensure our workforce receives high-quality, industry-specific training.
The Impact of Our Upskilling Initiative
The results of this upskilling initiative have been far-reaching. By developing a more versatile and multi-skilled workforce, we have enhanced the quality of service we offer to our clients. Employees have gained improved career opportunities, job satisfaction, and greater job security. The training has allowed them to take on more complex and varied roles, making them more adaptable and valuable in the industry.
This initiative has also had a positive impact on our staff retention and the overall success of our business. As our employees grow in their professional capabilities, they become more engaged, leading to higher performance standards and a more loyal workforce. This translates to better service for our clients and repeat business, creating a cycle of success.
The success of our upskilling programme is best reflected in the feedback from our workers:
- “I’ve become more positive and confident in my ability to grow professionally.”
- “I’m now a qualified IRSE licensed installer, and I’ve had a pay rise. I now have the opportunity to work anywhere.”
- “Training has helped me better understand the requirements of my current role, allowing me to perform at a higher standard.”
Feedback like this is vital for us as it confirms we’re meeting the needs of our employees and delivering on our commitment to their professional development.
The Broader Benefits of Our Work
Nick Markwell, one of our Rail Managers, highlights the broader benefits of investing in training:
Maintaining people’s competences and investing in training our workers on new skills is at the heart of our business for many reasons, including:
- Staff retention - investing in our staff, their future and maximising their earning potential means we have a high staff retention rate, and our workers are loyal to us.
- Repeat business from our clients – Having a workforce who feel valued means they are happier at work and work to a higher standard, this in turn gives a better end service to our clients which gives us repeat business.
- Social Value – Our industry allows us to charge our clients & pay our workers higher rates for higher skill levels. Higher paid workers are able to support their families better and spend more in their local communities.
Our upskilling programme has been a resounding success, exceeding expectations and having a lasting impact on both our workforce and our service delivery. By continuing to invest in the ongoing development of our people, we are addressing the immediate skills gap in the rail sector and contributing to the long-term growth and sustainability of the industry.
Coyle Rail are incredibly proud of the achievements of our upskilled workers and remain dedicated to furthering their professional development. As we continue to meet our social value objectives, we are committed to ensuring that our workforce remains capable, adaptable, and ready to tackle the challenges of the future.