17 October 2008

Dear Colleagues
 
I want to highlight again the important work many bus and rail colleagues are involved in to make sure our skills and competences are developed in line with the needs of our business as well as industry standards and regulations.
 
All new bus drivers coming into the company are being trained to the standards required to meet the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC). This was introduced in new legislation in September. All existing PCV licence holders within the company will also be required to attend one day’s training each year in order to retain their licence.
 
Over the past year the Infrastructure Signalling and Training Departments have been working towards obtaining the International Certificate for Infrastructure, Signalling and Telecommunications, which is awarded by the Institution of Railway Signal Engineers (IRSE).
 
I am delighted to say we have been successful, becoming the only Assessing Agent for the IRSE in Ireland and to date nine employees from the Signalling Department have been presented with their licences.
 
In addition, at a recent event co-ordinated through Infrastructure Training, NI Railways had 3 Assessors and 1 Internal Verifier successfully gain their qualification, which now allows them to ‘competency assess’ staff performance.  

Well done to everyone involved in these important
development programmes.

Lastly, I couldn’t let the occasion of Ulsterbus Tours’ 40th birthday pass without congratulations.  As Northern Ireland’s oldest and largest coach tour provider, this is a great achievement and I wish them continued success for the future.

 
Catherine Mason,

Group Chief Executive