Railway research, training & skills news
Latest R&D, education and skills development news from the global railway industry.
Training academy to support tram network expansion
UK: West Midlands Metro has opened a training academy at its Wednesbury depot, as the tram operator plans to create more than 160 driving, maintenance, ticket inspection and support jobs as part of a £1∙3bn network expansion programme.
Thai and Japanese railway research organisations to co-operate
THAILAND: The National Scientific & Technology Development Agency has signed a memorandum of understanding with Japan’s Railway Technical Research Institute covering co-operation on technical matters, human development and joint research to help improve the Thai railway network.
Anápolis to host railway research centre
BRAZIL: Work is expected to start later this year to establish a Centre of Excellence for Railway Technology in Anápolis, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Infrastructure and the state government of Goiás on July 15.
First of a Kind funding announced for 30 rail innovation projects
UK: The Department for Transport and Innovate UK have awarded £9m of First of a Kind funding to support 30 rail innovation projects. This year’s funding round is focused on making railways ‘cleaner, greener and more passenger-friendly’.
Greater Anglia trainee programme develops skills
UK: Greater Anglia is providing work experience placements on its Customer Service Traineeship course for 10 young people currently out of mainstream education or employment.
Provisional EU agreement on women in rail reached
EUROPE: Provisional agreement on a binding EU-level deal to promote the employment of women in the rail sector has been reached by the Community of European Railway & Infrastructure Companies, representing employers, and the European Transport Workers’ Federation, representing staff.
Severino Sombra University launches MBA in Railway Engineering
Shift2Rail, CEN and CENELEC sign standardisation co-operation agreement
Certificate in Railway Control Engineering Fundamentals offers entry-level industry qualification
Research partnership targets low-carbon freight
Partnership will promote industry research
Harrier HydroShunter fuel cell locomotive to be converted from Class 08
4D training tool to replace generic videos
Nomad Tech receives funding to develop Portuguese STM
Loram Technologies to build rail R&D centre in Georgetown
NSAR to support Malaysian skills development
Global Centre of Rail Excellence funding confirmed
Etihad Rail and Saudi Railway Co sign co-operation agreement
Tests suggest 30% cost saving using distributed power with LTE
Four start-ups chosen in Rumo’s Fuse safety innovation programme
UITP scholarship programme to honour Laurent Dauby
Passenger Experience and Economics, Policy & Operations rail research centres planned
Rail Academy interactive training portal rolled out
Supertram training programme developed as Semcon targets the rail market