Rail Technology Magazine Podcast

The railway industry is undergoing a transformative journey in how it approaches competence management. In the latest episode of the Rail Technology Magazine podcast, host Jonathan Dean is joined by Gabriel Stroud, CEO and co-founder of AssessTech, and Emma Lowe, a Occupational Psychologist, to explore the shift from compliance-based competence to a developmental approach.

Developmental competence management is about more than just ticking boxes; it's about empowering individuals to take ownership of their professional growth. Gabriel and Emma discuss how this approach can lead to a more confident and capable workforce, capable of handling high-pressure situations with poise and precision. This shift not only enhances individual performance but also boosts organisational efficiency and safety.

One of the key elements discussed is the role of feedback. Continuous feedback loops ensure that employees are not only meeting compliance standards but are also growing their skills and knowledge. Gabriel emphasises the importance of building confidence in one's competence, transforming assessments from a source of anxiety to an opportunity for growth. Emma highlights the significance of balancing technical and non-technical skills.

While technical skills are essential, non-technical skills such as communication, decision-making, and the ability to remain calm under pressure are equally critical. These skills often determine how well an individual can apply their technical knowledge in real-world scenarios. The podcast also delves into the importance of a robust verification strategy. Verification acts as a feedback mechanism, ensuring that competence assessments are not only conducted but are effective and meaningful. This strategy helps organisations identify areas for improvement and tailor their training programs accordingly.

As the railway industry continues to evolve, adopting a developmental approach to competence management could serve as a model for other sectors. By focusing on continuous improvement and fostering a culture of learning, organisations can not only comply with regulations but also drive innovation and excellence.

Listen to the full episode to discover more about how developmental competence management can transform your organisation and prepare your workforce for the challenges of tomorrow.

In the bustling heart of London, beneath the city's streets, a silent revolution is taking place. Transport for London (TfL) is undertaking an ambitious project to bring mobile coverage to the London Underground, transforming the way commuters stay connected. In a recent episode of the Rail Technology Magazine Podcast, host Peter Johnson sat down with Matt Griffin, Head of Commercial Telecoms at TfL, to delve into the intricacies of this monumental task.

The journey to bring mobile coverage to the tube began back in 2017 with initial tests on the Waterloo and City line. By March 2020, the eastern half of the Jubilee line boasted the first permanent mobile coverage. Fast forward to today, and the project is more than halfway complete, with about a third of the infrastructure already live. Matt, who has been at the helm since the early days, shares insights into the timeline and the progress made so far.

Jon Hill and Ben Parrish from Genetec join the latest episode of the Rail Technology Magazine Podcast. The pair explain the current inefficiencies in the rail industry when it comes to retrieving security footage and discuss Genetec’s Digital Evidence Management System (DEMS), Clearance, which helps to streamline the process.

Jon explains how the manual method of sharing footage on DVDs and USBs presents serious security issues, while Ben discusses the challenge presented by having a 30-day window to respond to subject access requests, given current inefficiencies.

The pair discuss how Clearance has helped operators such as Scotrail to communicate better internally and increase efficiency when handling video requests. They present Clearance as a transformative solution for the rail industry, improving security operations and efficiency while complying with data and compliance regulations.

Railway Industry Association (RIA) Chief Executive Darren Caplan joins the latest episode of the Rail Technology Magazine Podcast. 

Darren discusses the future of the UK’s rail industry under the new Labour Government, identifying a certain amount of continuity from the previous Government, including plans for continued devolution and the establishment of Great British Railways.

Darren also stresses the importance of incentivising increased passenger numbers and revenue growth, despite a recent recommendation by the National Audit Office that the Department of Transport may have to dissuade people to travel by rail.

He presents his views on the capacity issues presented by the cancellation of the Northern leg of HS2 and how the new Government must act quickly and decisively to prevent serious capacity problems in 5 to 10 years’ time.

Darren also shows optimism for the future of the rail industry given positive global trends, and emphasises the crucial role that the sector has to play in achieving decarbonisation targets.

We are joined by the Head of Air Operations at Network Rail, Bradley Sparkes, and National Aerial Survey Specialist, Sean Leahy.

Bradley and Sean offer some fascinating insight into how Network Rail patrols the British railway from the sky, identifying faults on helicopter and drone explorations.

Sean discusses the technology his team uses, meaning they are capable of observing faults that may otherwise go unnoticed while flying at hundreds of feet. He also gives insight into his team’s thermal imaging operations, which identify faults that would escape the naked eye.

Bradley also explains how demand for the Air Operations Team’s services has proliferated, with a 92% increase in callouts for route proofing in recent months, and how they are capable of covering vast expanses of the network so efficiently and thoroughly.

Both Bradley and Sean are excellent guests with incredible stories of observing our rail network from above, and share some brilliant insights about the technology at their disposal.