30.01.13
Skills gap ‘threatens’ future rail projects – RMT
A failure to invest in training and apprenticeships is leading to a shortage of skilled staff, rail union RMT has warned today.
This skills gap could threaten the timetables for future rail projects, such as Crossrail and HS2.
NSARE forecasts that the rail industry needs between 1,600 and 2,000 new people in the next five years, over 30% of which need to be trained at a technical level. The largest gap in terms of numbers is expected in traction and rolling stock.
RMT general secretary Bob Crow said: “The reality of under-investment in training and apprenticeships across the rail industry, combined with the dumping of core staff in favour of a casualised, agency approach, threatens the viability of rail projects of all kinds including the High Speed plans announced this week.
“The figures coming from NSARE make a mockery of the McNulty Rail Review plans, endorsed by the Government, to slash rail industry jobs in the name of cash savings. Britain’s rail industry will be left unable to cope with the progammes being laid out for the future if the Government don’t row back.
“RMT has already raised serious concerns over the latest job loss plan at Network Rail which would reduce the frontline operations workforce of 5600 to less than 1500 and reduce the maintenance workforce by 8%, or 1250 workers, including 800 track staff, and would increase the use of external contractors.
“This is a wake-up call for the Government, stop the rail job cuts and start investing in training and apprenticeships, or watch your plans collapse into chaos.”
For more on NSARE’s skills forecasting, see the Feb/March edition of the magazine where RTM speaks to chief executive Gil Howarth.
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