http://www.railnews.co.uk/news/general/2008/08/06-rail-skills-training-shortage.html
THE rail industry faces a ‘daunting challenge’ to recruit new staff to fill a skills gap, and will have to attract and re-skill adult workers from other industries—and possibly other countries.
But the task is being made more difficult because of the negative image of the industry portrayed to the public.
Bill Douie, chairman of RTC Group PLC, was strong in his view: “There is an enormous dyke of deprecating anti-rail sentiment in the media and the public mind that must be overcome,” he said.
“There is insufficient positive public relations in the railway industry, and this needs to be addressed.”
Other delegates spoke of the need to prepare and inform school children so they can be attracted into the railway industry.
Andy Meadows told the conference: “The picture that appears to be emerging suggests that the current workforce, together with our share of new entrants leaving full-time education, will not be able to meet our needs either in terms of quality or quantity
“Such evidence that we already have indicates that the image of rail as an attractive employer and one that offers exciting careers is not as good as it should be!
“For a relatively small industry we command a disproportionate profile in the national media and political interest, with much of that coverage focusing on the negative aspects of rail. This does not aid recruitment,” he declared
THE rail industry faces a ‘daunting challenge’ to recruit new staff to fill a skills gap, and will have to attract and re-skill adult workers from other industries—and possibly other countries.
But the task is being made more difficult because of the negative image of the industry portrayed to the public.
Bill Douie, chairman of RTC Group PLC, was strong in his view: “There is an enormous dyke of deprecating anti-rail sentiment in the media and the public mind that must be overcome,” he said.
“There is insufficient positive public relations in the railway industry, and this needs to be addressed.”
Other delegates spoke of the need to prepare and inform school children so they can be attracted into the railway industry.
Andy Meadows told the conference: “The picture that appears to be emerging suggests that the current workforce, together with our share of new entrants leaving full-time education, will not be able to meet our needs either in terms of quality or quantity
“Such evidence that we already have indicates that the image of rail as an attractive employer and one that offers exciting careers is not as good as it should be!
“For a relatively small industry we command a disproportionate profile in the national media and political interest, with much of that coverage focusing on the negative aspects of rail. This does not aid recruitment,” he declared