COVID-19 Network Rail Training Update

COVID-19: Network Rail Training Update

Network Rail Training plays a critical role in ensuring the organisation has a competent workforce. All training plans are designed and approved by our customers (i.e. each route and function) and, as such, we’re committed to delivering the training they ask of us.

Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, we’re continuing to work closely with business leaders in our regions, routes and functions to ensure our training offering supports critical functions and that we deliver essential training to keep freight and passenger services moving.

If you can't find what you're looking for on this page, please visit our COVID-19 FAQ.

Training Delivery During Lockdown and COVID Restrictions - Update 06/01/21

Training centres will remain open and face-to-face training will continue to be delivered across the regions, routes and functions despite the lockdown coming into effect in January 2021.

A number of COVID control measures have been introduced at training centres and depots to safeguard colleagues and ensure training can go ahead as planned. These measures include reducing delegate numbers so that social distancing can be maintained, carrying out temperature checks on arrival and the increased deep cleaning of high traffic areas such as door handles. Watch our short video to see all the measures we’ve put in place to keep you safe.

If, for any reason, a course is cancelled, delegates and line managers will be contacted directly. If your training involves an overnight stay, please rest assured that as a key worker you can continue to book hotels rooms via the Capita booking system. Please ensure you have a copy of the key worker letter on your person (letter updated 4 January 2021).

Whilst training centres will continue to operate, if you do have any concerns about attending face-to-face training, please speak with your line manager in the first instance to discuss your options.

New Ways of Learning

In response to COVID-19, we have accelerated plans to make learning more accessible and adapted a significant amount of our training for delivery partly or entirely online. This has involved creating a range of virtual, eLearning and blended learning solutions to reduce the need for travel and create more opportunities to learning anytime, anywhere.

Virtual, eLearning, blended learning – what’s the difference?

Virtual learning is learning you can complete online often via virtual classroom technology. These courses are facilitated by a trainer and include exciting tools like interactive whiteboards, virtual breakout rooms and more

eLearning is learning you complete through your eLearning site. Often interactive, eLearning courses may include watching a video, interacting with point-and-click screens and completing knowledge tests

Blended learning is a mix of online and face-to-face learning. Some essential competencies require technical skills that need to be taught face-to-face or involve assessments that can only be carried out in front of a trainer. Blended learning enables you to complete some parts of your learning online reducing the need for unnecessary travel or overnight stays.

Did you know, over 80% of our Leadership and Professional Development training has been adapted for virtual and blended delivery? Network Rail colleagues can browse our online offering on the course catalogue.

Latest News

We’re monitoring the coronavirus situation closely. For the latest news and updates regarding training, visit our Training News page.

Important Information for Network Rail Regions, Routes and Central Functions

If you are due to attend a face-to-face course at one of our training centres, please watch our short video to see how we’ve introduced COVID control measures to keep you safe

If a route decides to postpone or cancel a course, all delegates will be contacted

If you need to cancel your training, please continue to follow your local process and inform your line manager

If you are showing any coronavirus symptoms, please do not attend any face-to-face training and ensure your line manager is aware. You will need to (1) self-isolate for at least 10 days, (2) get a test as soon as possible and (3) if your test is positive, remain in isolation for the remainder of your 10-day isolation period. For more information, Network Rail colleagues should visit the Coronavirus Information Hub

Visit the course catalogue to browse the latest virtual training we have to offer and for a sneak peek of what’s coming soon.

Sentinel Card Holders

All operations are still running to help more than 135,000 Sentinel cardholders access the railway. All enquiries should be made via the 24/7 helpdesk: 0330 7262 222 / sentinel@mitie.com

For COVID-19 updates, please visit http://info.railsentinel.co.uk/COVID-19/ or for general information please visit http://info.railsentinel.co.uk/

Apprenticeships and Graduate Schemes

Delivery status: We run 41 apprenticeship and graduate schemes and have agreed local response plans to safeguard colleagues and ensure they can adhere to the latest guidance. Our dedicated training sites e.g. Westwood are still operating and we’ve implemented a range of COVID control measures – see our short video for details.

To contact the team, please visit MyConnect > Route Services > Training.

eLearning

Delivery status: Our 165+ eLearning courses are available on our eLearning platform. If working remotely, you do not need access to Remote Connect; all you need is a reliable internet connection.

Please log in as you would normally. We have a dedicated FAQ on the eLearning site (click ‘Help’ at the top of the homepage after you’ve logged in). If you experience any other issues, please log a query via the IT Helpdesk.

Queries Concerning Other Platforms

Training Toolkit and Question Tools are operating as normal. If you experience any issues, please submit feedback via Toolkit in the usual way.

Training Centres

To see how we’re complying with the latest government coronavirus guidelines, view our short video and read about the measures now in place at our training centres.

Training centres will no longer be able to host team meetings or facilitate ‘hot desking’

Only scheduled training to go ahead on the premises

Colleagues are asked to bring their lanyards – we will not be issuing lanyards but your normal lanyard will act as photographic ID

To reduce numbers in reception areas, there is no need to sign in when you arrive – instead, please report to your classroom where you can sign in and present your work lanyard as ID

No food will be served in break out areas – lunches will be served in classrooms only. Lunches are already sealed (no buffet options will be available)

Hand sanitisers have been placed in various locations and we ask that colleagues follow Public Health England guidance regarding hand hygiene

We’ve increased cleaning in high traffic areas – e.g. door handles, bathrooms and tea/coffee stations

We're adapting our training in line with the latest government social distancing guidance for face-to-face training.

A copy of the latest Work Activity Risk Assessment (WARA) form entitled 'Delivering Training During COVID-19 Pandemic' can be found on the Corporate Safety Workforce hub site here.

Strategic Projects and Programmes:

We’re enabling the wider business to transform and deliver its strategic ambitions by delivering a number of national programmes - Network Rail colleagues can find out more on MyConnect.

During lockdown the team has worked closely with business leaders and the Strategic Crisis Management Team to develop new contingent and refresher training. Our focus now is to see how our expertise can help routes, regions and the wider industry adapt, respond and recover.

Useful links:

Latest advice for Network Rail colleagues: visit the Coronavirus Information Hub

Training website: www.networkrail-training.co.uk / Courses for Network Rail colleagues / our training centres

eLearning: https://learning.networkrail.co.uk/login/index.php / Help and Enquiries

Sentinel: https://info.railsentinel.co.uk/ , 24/7 helpdesk: T: 0330 7262 222 , E: sentinel@mitie.com

General information about Network Rail Training and useful contacts: MyConnect > Route Services > Network Rail Training.

To stay abreast of all things Training, Network Rail colleagues can join our growing Network Rail Training Yammer community.

Page Updated:

12 November 2020