At the request of the ARTP board a small group has been formed to look at issues around trainer competence. An initial meeting was held at RSSB in London on Monday 23 March to consider the scope of the group.

The group discussed the factors which had prompted its formation:.

• The desire of Mark Ruddy, Head of Competence and Training at Network Rail and non-executive director of ARTP, to establish a competence model for trainers which could have applications in both the Sentinel scheme and within NR, and his request that ARTP be involved in its development.
• The outcomes of recent work in the area by RSSB and its projected “Good Practice Guide for Trainers”.
• The need for ARTP to support its members to be recognised as excellent practitioners.

The group recognised that there are already a number of accreditations and standards which are potentially relevant. These are:

• National Occupational Standards for Learning and Development, and NVQs for Trainers and Training Managers.
• The Training Quality Standard which recognises excellent providers across all sectors.
  
• RISAS which is specific to the rail industry and currently used in relation to train maintenance but could perhaps be extended to provide a benchmark and accreditation framework for training supply.
  
• UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service)

It was also noted that the Sector Qualifications Strategy published by GoSkills identifies the need for trainer qualifications specific to the passenger transport sector and that this might become important to members in the future.

A number of areas for action or further investigation were agreed and will be taken to the ARTP Board for further discussion:

• ARTP support to RSSB in the development of a Good Practice Guide, with the possibility of including competence checklists for Trainers and Training Managers to self-assess.
• Inclusion of training supply within the RISAS scheme
• Clarifications of the NR requirement
• The possibility of” lighter touch” (and therefore cheaper?) audit for Sentinel Training Centres which can demonstrate they meet agreed high standards.

Kath D'Archambaud