In a development that underscores the commitment of The Rail Academy to revolutionising safety critical operator training in the railway industry, the organisation has recently achieved OFQUAL accreditation for Level 3 train driver end-point assessments. RBD spoke to Cath Bellamy, Managing Director of The Rail Academy, to discuss this achievement and the innovative approach that sets The Rail Academy apart from the competition in the field of end-point assessments.
The roots of the Rail Academy
As a former Managing Director of Chiltern Railways, Hull Trains and SLC Operations, as well as leading various large commercial projects for the Department of Transport, Cath Bellamy understands the challenges of the UK rail industry better than most. Since launching The Rail Academy, an independent provider of rail operations assessments and training services, she has been keen to highlight the company’s unique ethos, which she says is built on a passion for building a better industry: “We are run by seasoned rail professionals who understand the industry from the inside out. Our roots are embedded in the railway, but we bring a new, fresh approach.
“We are a team of bright, ambitious, and customer-focused individuals who have identified opportunities through our own experiences in the industry, not merely as a way to make a quick profit, but because we genuinely love and understand the railway.”
Cath has been a longstanding champion of the need for tailored services designed specifically for the rail industry. She explained: “At The Rail Academy, we recognise the need to create assessment and training services that are delivered by railway people, for railway people.
The industry is necessarily bound by regulations and safety rules but we aim to bring in fresh, new thinking to benefit both the staff and the sector as a whole.
Challenging an industry steeped in tradition
Cath has candidly discussed the challenges faced by staff working on Britain’s railways, describing the industry as “monopolistic in its attitude at times and deeply tied to tradition”. With operational roles heavily regulated, she says there has historically been a somewhat protective stance toward training and assessment practices and a deep scepticism towards change. The Rail Academy aims to bridge the gap by providing support, investing in training and assessment activities, and releasing the talent and ideas already present in the industry.
As Cath explained: “Our industry and its people perform miracles every day, but with more support, it could do even better. We want to play a positive role, create opportunities for those within the industry, develop assessment and training roles, and ultimately contribute to a safer, more effective railway.”
Available now: OFQUAL-accredited end-point assessments
The Rail Academy‘s latest development is the exciting news that it is now approved by OFQUAL to undertake end-point assessments for train drivers. Cath describes the accreditation as a “significant step” for the business and one that helps it towards its goal of creating a positive impact in the industry.
One key advantage and unique selling point of The Rail Academy is its flexibility, Cath explained: “Train Drivers do not work 9 to 5 jobs so we offer end-point assessments seven days a week, with flexible start times between 8:00 in the morning and 3:00 p.m. We also offer assessments remotely, which makes it really easy for the train driver apprentices based all over the country and their employers. Our customer-focused approach aims to make end-point assessments more accessible and cost-effective for employers with round-the-clock rosters. Ultimately that should support the apprenticeship, the industry and all those who benefit from it”
Flexibility and expert services tailored for customer satisfaction
To meet the diverse needs of customers, The Rail Academy has built a strong pool of fully qualified driver instructors with excellent training and assessment records.
“Our instructors are the “cream of the crop”. They bring not only tremendous experience but also a passion for supporting train drivers while upholding critical operating and safety standards,” Cath explained.
She also emphasised the organisation’s flexibility to accommodate customers’ needs and avoid unnecessary and costly cancellation fees:
“While end-point assessments need to be booked a minimum of two weeks in advance, we understand that circumstances may change. As long as changes are made with a notice period of over two weeks, we offer the flexibility to adjust bookings without additional costs.”
Looking to the future, Cath expressed her ambitious vision for The Rail Academy: “The recent OFQUAL accreditation is just the beginning of our journey to drive positive change in the industry. We are’re also applyingare applying to become a train driver training and examination centre – so we can support the industry with driver trainers and training at all stages from street to seat – and will widen our range of end point assessments.
Cath added: “We want to create opportunities, help companies fill their vacancy gaps, and contribute to a safer, more effective railway.”
To find out more about The Rail Academy and its OFQUAL-approved Train Driver End-point Assessments visit: https://www.therailacademy.com/
