Coronavirus (COVID-19)

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Network Rail Training: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Part one: Network Rail Training’s response to COVID-19
Part two: Attending training (queries and guidance)
Part three: System/technology questions
Part four: Useful links

Part one: Network Rail Training’s response to COVID-19

Are you still providing Training?
We recognise that frontline teams operate around the clock and as such, we’ve created a dedicated webpage to explain our response to COVID-19, which you can view here

Announcement (21/03): All Leadership & Professional Development Training has been postponed for Routes, Regions and Functions until further notice in response to COVID-19 (with immediate effect). In the weeks ahead, Network Rail Training will look to enable as much online content as possible to enable Leadership & Professional Development training to continue without the need for travel. Delegates due to undertake Leadership & Professional Development Training in the w/c 23 March will be notified directly. Our Training Centres are aware. Updates concerning the provision of training will be posted here

Why are you delivering Training?
All Training plans are designed and approved by our customers (i.e. each Route and Function) and as such, we’re committed to delivering the Training they ask of us.

Announcement (21/03):We’ve taken the decision to postpone all Leadership & Professional Training (see above). We’re monitoring the situation hourly and want to support the business to operate a safe railway. During these challenging times, where many colleagues are being asked to go above and beyond, we’re working closely with business leaders in our Routes, Regions and Functions to ensure we deliver critical training to keep freight and passenger services operating.

Has any training been cancelled?
The devolved nature of our business means each Route, Region and Function owns their own local Training plans. In the event of a Route/Region/Function deciding what training they want their people to receive, we will contact delegates directly.

Will your strategic projects and programmes change?
From national operations and maintenance capability programmes like 21st Century Ops and Role Based Capability (RBC), to critical safety and service culture programmes, we’re enabling the wider business to transform and deliver its strategic ambitions. The senior leadership team is reviewing all routine projects and programmes in response to COVID-19 to agree key priorities moving forwards. We’ve also identified a number of Technical Trainers and subject matter experts to help support business critical functions. Our focus now is to see how our expertise can help us maintain frontline operations. Please visit xxx to see how we’re releasing and redeploying colleagues.

How else is Network Rail Training responding to?
We’re working closely with business leaders in our Routes, Regions and Functions to ensure we deliver critical training to keep freight and passenger services operating In response to COVID-19, we’re developing new services to help teams with colleagues that are responsible.

COVID-19?
For business continuity and those stepping into new roles. We recognise those colleagues will need to:

Acquire new skills and acquire occupational competences to perform their role safely (e.g. Skills and Operations)

Undertake Leadership training to equip them with the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to lead their teams

Operate Business Continuity Plans – Routine projects and programmes have been put on hold to focus on this as a business-critical priority

Part two: Attending training (queries and guidance)

I’m due to attend a Training Centre, what steps have been taken to respond to COVID-19?
Training is planned and agreed with each Route. We’re working closely with Route leadership teams and it has been agreed that in order to safeguard colleagues and continue to deliver Training, we’ve implemented the following measures:

Training centres will no longer be able to host team meetings or facilitate ‘hot desking’

Only scheduled training to go ahead on the premises

Colleagues are asked to bring their Lanyards – we will not be issuing lanyards but your normal lanyard will act as photographic ID

There’s no requirement to sign in at Reception to reduce numbers in that area – please report to your classroom where you can sign in and present your work lanyard as ID

No food will be served in break out areas - lunches will be served in classrooms only. Lunches are already sealed (no Buffett options will be available)

Hand sanitisers have been placed in various locations and ask that colleagues follow Public Health England guidance regarding hand hygien

We’ve increased cleaning on high traffic areas – e.g. door handles, bathrooms and tea/coffee stations

A number of admin and support colleagues are working remotely to reduce the number of colleagues in each centre and adhere with company guidance.

I’m due to attend a pilot course, will this still go ahead?
Our Training Portfolio Managers and Project Managers will be contacting teams to provide an update on pilots. If a pilot is being cancelled or postponed, all delegates will be contacted directly.

I’m due to attend a Training course but my hotel has closed. What should I do?
Network Rail's travel booking portal is called Iris - a new travel management platform from Capita Travel and Events. All travel products including; air, rail, hotel, venue find and taxis bookings can be made here. If you experience an issue with your hotel, please contact the Capita Travel team: User guide , E: networkrail@capitatravelandevents.co.uk, T:03303 900 011

I’m self-isolating and will be unable to attend training – what should I do?
Your safety and wellbeing is paramount. Please refer to HR's Frequently Asked Questions (COVID_19) for guidance. Please make sure your line manager is aware and follow the steps below to cancel.
Route colleagues: Please continue to follow local process to cancel and ensure your line manager is aware
Function colleagues: Please make sure your line manager is aware and provide full course details (including course title, course date, venue, learner’s name) and the reason for the cancellation e.g. self-isolation, operational pressure (etc.) when you email TrainingServicesCancellations@networkrail.co.uk

I’m due to attend a training course but I have a childcare issue?
Please contact your line manager and make sure you’ve read the latest guidance – see below:

Network Rail’s Corona Virus (COVID-19) Frequently Asked Questions

MyConnect (20 March) - Coronavirus update key workers - to help identify yourself as a key worker, please download the letter, together with your Network Rail identification when notifying your child's school to see if you’re eligible to continue working

Part three: System/technology questions

I have an issue with my Sentinel card – who do I contact?
All Sentinel systems are still operating – please contact the 24/7 helpdesk if you need support: T: 0330 7262 222 / E: sentinel@mitie.com
General information: http://info.railsentinel.co.uk/

How do I access eLearning site?
Our 140 eLearning courses are available here. Please log in as you would normally. We have a dedicated FAQ on the eLearning site (click ‘Help’ at the top of the homepage after you’ve logged in). If you experience any other issues, please click here

How do I contact someone about an issue concerning Toolkit or Question Tools?
Training Toolkit and Question Tools are still operating. If you experience issues, please click here