19 September 2008

Dear Colleagues,

Investment in training is a real priority in all parts of our business.

This month we will complete our new Rail Operations Training Academy.  The new £2million facility is located at Adelaide and is a big investment in training and development.  This new addition to the existing Adelaide site will be of real benefit to those who use it and shows a real commitment by the group in the development of our people.
 
A key part of the investment - over £1.5m – is in state of the art simulation tools which allow our highly trained staff to work on continuous improvement in a safe and risk free environment.  Also three extra training rooms have been added to the existing building.
 
The completion of the Rail Operations Training Academy has been the latest stage in an overall strategy to continuously improve training and simulation within Rail Operations and is another necessary step in the programme to procure and commission the new trains currently out to tender.
 
And as everyone likes a clean and tidy place to work – as well as being what our customers expect – you will want to know that assessments are nearly complete for the TIDY Translink Awards 2008 awards.  From early reports the majority of locations have moved up a level, with some going from Bronze to Gold. 
 
The awards are run by TIDY Northern Ireland for Translink. This programme aims to encourage staff to show pride in their place of work, by taking care of their premises whilst having consideration for the environment.
 
Congratulations to all involved in such a worthwhile scheme.

Catherine Mason,

Group Chief Executive