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SIGNALLING, POWER & TELECOMS


A common sense approach to engineering – facing the challenges in the railway signalling industry


A recent article in The Independent* highlighted concerns over the lack of engineering resources in the UK, specifi cally around the Crossrail development and the Birmingham HS2 programme. Steve Darch, Sam McCrow and Brendan Walsh, co-owners of Amaro Signalling Ltd, one of the newer players on the market, are aware of the challenges currently facing the railway signalling industry and what needs to be done to improve the situation.


T


he last 12 months of working in the Southern region on Network Rail has


enabled Amaro to understand how to position the company and ascertain exactly what the requirements are in this specialist industry. They project manage and deliver railway signalling installation and test solutions to the UK market and are expanding rapidly. It has become clear to Amaro and many others that there is a shortage of highly skilled, well-trained individuals who can provide the high quality of installation that is the current demand. Things as simple as correct tools and equipment on site are essential to get the job done in tight deadlines. Amaro are always looking for new innovations to assist them in meeting existing standards.


Amaro is also of the opinion that the earlier involvement of all suppliers in the lifecycle of rail signalling projects would be highly benefi cial to ensure higher quality of works trackside.


This is often a highly reactive business; companies are frequently asked to supply labour or install systems with little notice (such is the nature of access to the railway), therefore


70 | rail technology magazine Aug/Sep 13


integration with clients is of paramount importance.


Training is clearly the key to an increase in quality and effi ciency in the industry. Railway organisations need to attract more capable individuals into rail, and not just in the area of signalling. Currently there is a relatively small pool of qualifi ed and licensed staff, who are in high demand on the UK railways. As we continue to upgrade and renew signalling requirements across the country, the demand will further exceed the supply. Cross-skilling and up-skilling programmes are increasingly being implemented, but this does not alleviate the problems of simply not having enough people in the industry.


It is widely acknowledged that there is an overall ongoing shortage of skills in the signalling sector. The larger rail companies offer government sponsored apprenticeships, but these only cover faulting and maintenance. Many feel (Amaro included) that these apprenticeships should cover a wider selection of skills to allow those keen to join the industry to have a choice of career path once they have completed their initial training.


Training consultancies offer courses, but generally at a high cost to the individuals and to smaller companies. The necessity for appropriate licensing and mentorship can be a challenge for those wanting to make a career in this industry and the investment required by companies can contain its own perceived risk.


Amaro is keen to increase the pool of high- quality qualifi ed signalling engineers and feels that other companies should make a commit- ment to do the same. Government expansion of the current scheme into areas of test and instal- lation would assist in the long term with reliev- ing the pressure in trying to fi nd the resources needed for these specialist roles.


They believe that solid apprenticeship pro- grammes are the way forward and despite the relative youth of the company, they are embarking on their own programme in 2014, when they will be providing a career path for our railway professionals of the future.


* (The 30 Second Briefi ng – July 2013)


www.amarosignalling.co.uk FOR MORE INFORMATION


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