EAL is preparing to release the first of its pioneering trailblazer apprenticeship qualifications for the rail industry later this month.
Industry specialist-awarding organisation, EAL is playing an ever more prominent part in developing the skills required to digitise the UK rail system’s Victorian infrastructure.
EAL is introducing the new Level 3 Rail Engineering Technician Competency and Knowledge Apprenticeship qualifications to its raft of awards that covers all six disciplines recognised by the industry as instrumental.
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These include: track; traction & rolling stock; signalling; telecoms; electrification, and overhead line.
EAL has been collaborating with the employer-led rail trailblazer group, after government made the decision that apprenticeship standards and frameworks should be employer driven.
According to the organisation, Level 2 and Level 4 Apprenticeship Standards should follow in January and April 2017 respectively – completing the suite of new qualifications.
EAL’s rail specialist, Allan Macdonald explained: “EAL has a pivotal part to play in transforming the rail sector in the UK – developing a workforce that will digitise a Victorian infrastructure.
“We are helping to save lives and improve efficiency for this vital element of the transport system whether above or below the ground.
“We have a unique insight and understanding of the industry’s needs earning us the respect of key personnel at all levels in some of the biggest players and their supply chain, in the sector.
EAL, which is part of the Semta Group, has awarded more than 3,000 rail qualifications since 2013 when it initiated a ‘roll out’ in rail.
EAL is working closely with Babcock, Siemens, Network Rail and NSAR, among others.
Head of apprenticeship delivery at National Training Academy Rail (NTAR), Dan Walker commented: “EAL and Siemens have worked collaboratively on the new apprenticeship qualifications to ensure that they are both fit for purpose and they also support our plan to develop the next generation of digital rail Apprentices who will take rail engineering into the future.”
