Glasgow secured its place as the centre of lifelong learning for rail staff as Transport Minister Tavish Scott, MSP opened two new facilities on 18 August 2006.

The Minister said on opening the Rail Learning Centre at Stow College and First ScotRail’s dedicated Training Academy: “Scottish rail passengers should expect the very best standards of service. "The First ScotRail Training Academy will ensure that all staff are trained to deliver that exacting standard. And the Rail Learning Centre at Stow College will ensure all rail staff will be given the opportunity to improve their education and skills throughout their career. Scottish rail passengers will benefit as a result of this investment in the people they depend on."

An enhanced Rail Learning Centre has relocated from Miller Street to Stow College’s City Campus in Cowcaddens, and will offer courses ranging from IT to languages. More than 170 rail staff have already signed up to develop skill sets that will optimise their long-term career prospects in the industry.

Robert McGrory, Principal of Stow College, said: “The Rail Learning Centre decided to relocate at Stow College largely through our Trade Union Education Department’s strong ties to the individual trade unions. “Not only does the Centre support Stow’s commitment to increasing access to lifelong learning, this is an excellent example of effective partnership working between businesses, unions and the College.”

The Minister also opened First ScotRail’s Training Academy, a purpose built and fully equipped modern training facility within the train operating company’s headquarters in Atrium Court.

Mary Dickson, managing director of First ScotRail, stressed that staff were vital to the success of the company, recently named UK Public Transport Operator of the Year. She said: “Our Training Academy, a tremendously valuable asset, is designed to allow all First ScotRail employees to achieve their full potential. It will provide value in quality learning and development.”

Stow College will use its network of campus and community based learning centres to support the Rail Learning Centre and will use the Centre as a learning ‘hub’ for outreach delivery with courses planned for Motherwell, Dundee and Edinburgh. The Rail Learning Centre at Stow features full technical support services and opportunities for on-line learning.

Mr McGrory said: “We are seeing a growth in online learning and this new facility will fulfil local needs and help to move the skills agenda forward, promoting the benefits of lifelong learning. The new facility has great scope for the future and several other unions are already keen to use the facility to run basic skills courses both within the College and at workplace learning centres.” The Rail Learning Centre at Stow received funding from the Scottish Executive through the Scottish Union Learning Fund (SULF), an initiative to help promote activity by trade unions in support of the Scottish Executive’s lifelong learning programme.

First ScotRail has committed £1million a year to staff training. More than 800 staff have already attended courses at the Training Academy, ranging from core training for new entrants to personal and management development programmes. Ms Dickson said: “I recognise that staff are central to the success of the company. Our objective is to build a culture of employees who are continuously learning. The Training Academy provides the opportunities for our staff to learn throughout their careers in terms of vocational and non-vocational skills.”

First ScotRail’s Training Academy, a franchise commitment, has nine air conditioned rooms fitted to high specification, including ceiling mounted projectors and write-on wipe-off walls. The Academy also features a room dedicated to training on STAR - Station Terminals for Advance Rail retailing, the user-friendly ticket machines at stations and on trains being rolled out across Scotland. This year, 20% of First ScotRail employees dealing directly with customers will undertake their Customer Service SVQs.