Ep 63. How to maintain a 24 7 operational team in the 21st century

The rail industry faces challenges like an aging workforce and gaps in understanding diversity, particularly for disabled and LGBT+ employees. EDI is essential for a safer, more reliable railway, better service delivery, and attracting diverse talent. The Rail Industry Association and Women in Rail launched the EDI Charter to promote diversity and gender balance, with over 160 companies participating. Network Rail's Everyone Belongs strategy aims to create an inclusive environment and attract top talent through targeted recruitment and mixed interview panels. But what else can be done to make the industry attractive and inclusive? Would continuous investment programs retain skills, grow expertise, and create sustainable jobs? Listen to this podcast to understand the challenges and what the future holds. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The railway industry stands at a pivotal moment, grappling with the need to adapt its workforce strategies to meet the challenges of the future. In our latest podcast episode, we hear from Brad Smith, the Operations Manager for Wessex Route at Network Rail. As we delve into the complexities of maintaining a 24/7 operational team, Brad highlights the evolving expectations of employees, particularly in light of generational shifts. With Gen Z projected to comprise over 30% of the global workforce by 2030, it is crucial for the railway to understand that this new generation seeks more than just a paycheque; they desire purpose, flexibility, and opportunities for personal growth. One of the key takeaways from the discussion is the importance of structuring the workforce effectively to avoid burnout and ensure operational continuity. Brad emphasises that the railway cannot afford to be overstaffed or understaffed. Instead, a balanced approach is necessary to maintain efficiency and keep the railway running smoothly. This involves leveraging technology, such as predictive analytics and AI-driven scheduling, to optimise staffing levels and enhance productivity.Moreover, the conversation touches on the imperative of fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce. Brad points out that diversity isn't merely a buzzword; it is a business necessity that can lead to improved decision-making and operational effectiveness. Inclusive teams are not only more engaged but also demonstrate lower turnover rates, which is vital for an industry that never sleeps. As we navigate through the challenges of an ageing workforce and skills gaps, the episode underscores the significance of investing in training and development. Apprenticeships and structured career pathways are essential for building internal capabilities and nurturing future leaders from within the organisation.In conclusion, the railway industry must rethink its people strategy to thrive in an era of rapid change. By embracing new working practices, investing in talent development, and committing to diversity and inclusion, we can ensure that the railway is not only sustainable but also future-proof for generations to come. Listen to the episode for a deeper dive into these critical topics and learn how the railway can adapt and thrive in the face of challenges. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The railway industry is undergoing a transformative journey in how it approaches competence management. In the latest episode of the Rail Technology Magazine podcast, host Jonathan Dean is joined by Gabriel Stroud, CEO and co-founder of AssessTech, and Emma Lowe, a Occupational Psychologist, to explore the shift from compliance-based competence to a developmental approach. Developmental competence management is about more than just ticking boxes; it's about empowering individuals to take ownership of their professional growth. Gabriel and Emma discuss how this approach can lead to a more confident and capable workforce, capable of handling high-pressure situations with poise and precision. This shift not only enhances individual performance but also boosts organisational efficiency and safety. One of the key elements discussed is the role of feedback. Continuous feedback loops ensure that employees are not only meeting compliance standards but are also growing their skills and knowledge. Gabriel emphasises the importance of building confidence in one's competence, transforming assessments from a source of anxiety to an opportunity for growth. Emma highlights the significance of balancing technical and non-technical skills. While technical skills are essential, non-technical skills such as communication, decision-making, and the ability to remain calm under pressure are equally critical. These skills often determine how well an individual can apply their technical knowledge in real-world scenarios. The podcast also delves into the importance of a robust verification strategy. Verification acts as a feedback mechanism, ensuring that competence assessments are not only conducted but are effective and meaningful. This strategy helps organisations identify areas for improvement and tailor their training programs accordingly. As the railway industry continues to evolve, adopting a developmental approach to competence management could serve as a model for other sectors. By focusing on continuous improvement and fostering a culture of learning, organisations can not only comply with regulations but also drive innovation and excellence. Listen to the full episode to discover more about how developmental competence management can transform your organisation and prepare your workforce for the challenges of tomorrow. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the bustling heart of London, beneath the city's streets, a silent revolution is taking place. Transport for London (TfL) is undertaking an ambitious project to bring mobile coverage to the London Underground, transforming the way commuters stay connected. In a recent episode of the Rail Technology Magazine Podcast, host Peter Johnson sat down with Matt Griffin, Head of Commercial Telecoms at TfL, to delve into the intricacies of this monumental task.The journey to bring mobile coverage to the tube began back in 2017 with initial tests on the Waterloo and City line. By March 2020, the eastern half of the Jubilee line boasted the first permanent mobile coverage. Fast forward to today, and the project is more than halfway complete, with about a third of the infrastructure already live. Matt, who has been at the helm since the early days, shares insights into the timeline and the progress made so far. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jon Hill and Ben Parrish from Genetec join the latest episode of the Rail Technology Magazine Podcast. The pair explain the current inefficiencies in the rail industry when it comes to retrieving security footage and discuss Genetec’s Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS), Clearance, which helps to streamline the process.Jon explains how the manual method of sharing footage on DVDs and USBs presents serious security issues, while Ben discusses the challenge presented by having a 30-day window to respond to subject access requests, given current inefficiencies.The pair discuss how Clearance has helped operators such as Scotrail to communicate better internally and increase efficiency when handling video requests. They present Clearance as a transformative solution for the rail industry, improving security operations and efficiency while complying with data and compliance regulations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Railway Industry Association (RIA) Chief Executive Darren Caplan joins the latest episode of the Rail Technology Magazine Podcast. Darren discusses the future of the UK’s rail industry under the new Labour Government, identifying a certain amount of continuity from the previous Government, including plans for continued devolution and the establishment of Great British Railways.Darren also stresses the importance of incentivising increased passenger numbers and revenue growth, despite a recent recommendation by the National Audit Office that the Department of Transport may have to dissuade people to travel by rail.He presents his views on the capacity issues presented by the cancellation of the Northern leg of HS2 and how the new Government must act quickly and decisively to prevent serious capacity problems in 5 to 10 years’ time.Darren also shows optimism for the future of the rail industry given positive global trends, and emphasises the crucial role that the sector has to play in achieving decarbonisation targets. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We are joined by the Head of Air Operations at Network Rail, Bradley Sparkes, and National Aerial Survey Specialist, Sean Leahy.Bradley and Sean offer some fascinating insight into how Network Rail patrols the British railway from the sky, identifying faults on helicopter and drone explorations.Sean discusses the technology his team uses, meaning they are capable of observing faults that may otherwise go unnoticed while flying at hundreds of feet. He also gives insight into his team’s thermal imaging operations, which identify faults that would escape the naked eye.Bradley also explains how demand for the Air Operations Team’s services has proliferated, with a 92% increase in callouts for route proofing in recent months, and how they are capable of covering vast expanses of the network so efficiently and thoroughly.Both Bradley and Sean are excellent guests with incredible stories of observing our rail network from above, and share some brilliant insights about the technology at their disposal. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chris Gibb is a non executive director of DOHL and was formerly the CEO of Scottish Rail Holdings and COO of Virgin West Coast. He has over 40 years of experience in the rail industry and watched on like the rest of us as Phases 2a and 2b of HS2 were cancelled. Chris joins host Peter Johnson on the latest edition of the Rail Technology Magazine podcast to discuss a personal project he has worked on to maximise the UK rail network with only the London-Birmingham high-speed line being constructed.Chris has formed a plan to make the best use of HS2 and create the maximum benefit for all passengers and freight. He talks about the existing issues which would prevent the rail network from running at maximum capacity once HS2 becomes operational and sets out a roadmap to 2042 which includes proposals to build a “New Northern Line” and achieve maximum efficiency at the lowest cost.Chris also introduces his concept of an “Italian model”, under which different fleets could run as efficiently as possible on both high-speed and conventional railway network lines. With little over five years until the first HS2 services are scheduled to run, Chris believes it is time for a constructive debate and discussion about how best to maximise existing UK rail infrastructure including HS2 Phase 1 to deliver the best outcomes. He recognises that there is currently no other plan to achieve this and with his proposal hopes to start the ball rolling for a crucial discussion. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Rail Technology Magazine Podcast, we chat to Vaibhav Puri, Director of Sector Strategy and Transformation at the Rail Safety and Standards Board.Vaibhav discusses in detail the role of the RSSB in how innovation in rail should be regulated and controlled and what needs to be done to make it as much an environment for innovation and technological transformation as possible.But as the industry gets to grips with the changing world around it, it also wrestles with how to look after the data it inevitably will handle and Vaibhav discusses how best to handle data, the framework that need to exist to ensure privacy is in place and the capabilities of emerging technologies to change how the industry works with it.Vaibhav is an influential voice in the evolution of the UK and EU railway legislation, including supporting the Department for Transport and the sector in transitioning seamlessly to a post-EU exit legal landscape and he explains how his role has evolved as the industry navigates its way through the changes that are happening.Artificial intelligence is also discussed and we chat about its new role and its vast capabilities to fundamentally change the way rail looks in the future.But with great change, there is a race to ensure that the industry adjusts appropriately and the wider rail community are on board and up-to-date, Vaibhav discusses how the board are reacting and proactively helping facilitate these changes.We also discuss technology advancements in rail since Vaibhav started his role at RSSB and also what regulation frameworks might need to happen once Great British Railways is established. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Rail Technology Magazine Podcast, we chat to Suzanne Donnelly, Director of Passenger Revenue at Great British Railway Transition Team. Great British Railways has a remit to fundamentally change the way that rail in this country is run. It has at its core, a programme of change for the network, and how it can be the best in class for passengers and the industry.Suzanne discusses the role that GBRTT will play in this change, and the steps that are being put in place to ensure that passengers and operators can embrace the future for rail and work together.But how does the industry do this? Suzanne explains the initiatives that GBRTT have spearheaded since the transition began, including the enormously successful Great British Sale and the ticketing technology that is being implemented on certain routes.But Suzanne also looks to the future, and how revenue generation and the passenger are forming an integral part of GBRTT’s mission to fuse the industry together into a common focus.Suzanne has 16 years of experience in various commercial roles within the transport industry and is uniquely placed to offer insight into how rail can adopt technology, and commercial strategies to grow its revenue and sustainability. The podcast offers a great opportunity to hear how the future could look and how the present is looking for passengers and freight on the UK rail network Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.