INFRA Skills Ltd, the leading provider of safety critical and non-safety critical training in the UK, had a remarkable year in 2018. With a focus on delivering high-quality rail and construction training, INFRA Skills expanded its brand and training capabilities, resulting in numerous success stories and increased recognition within the industry.
Delivering Excellence in Training and Assessments
INFRA Skills offers comprehensive training and assessments for infrastructure professionals, enabling them to enhance productivity and maintain a safe work environment. With an experienced and friendly team boasting extensive industry knowledge, INFRA Skills provides accessible and effective national training that surpasses professional standards.
Accreditations and Recognition
INFRA Skills is a Gold accredited NSAR rail training and assessor provider, delivering courses accredited by esteemed organizations such as City & Guilds, CITB, ILM, Highfields, and LANTRA. These accreditations ensure that all assessments conducted by INFRA Skills meet strict guidelines, ensuring fairness, validity, consistency, and compliance with qualification standards. Additionally, INFRA Skills recently completed a successful RISQS audit, enabling the provision of medical services and alcohol and drug screening.
Addressing Skills Shortage and Diverse Workforce
In an industry facing challenges such as a skills shortage, aging workforce, lack of diversity, and underutilized resources, INFRA Skills actively contributes to meeting productivity and infrastructure targets for the next five years. The company collaborates with local agencies, colleges, charities, and government departments to support various groups, including black minority ethnic communities, women, ex-offenders, ex-armed forces personnel, young individuals, those with disabilities, and those struggling to find employment. INFRA Skills offers an all-inclusive rail training program designed to provide learners with mandatory rail qualifications, sector knowledge, and practical experience. Through this initiative, INFRA Skills upskills local individuals, addressing one of the most significant challenges faced by the West Midlands.
Expanding Training Opportunities
INFRA Skills recently partnered with two local colleges to deliver a unique training opportunity, enabling learners to expand their skillsets and enhance employability. The Construction Fund Pilot, funded by the West Midlands Combined Authority, provided training over a four-week period in collaboration with Dudley College of Technology and the City of Wolverhampton College. This initiative resulted in 17 learners completing the training and proceeding to interviews conducted by RSS Infrastructure Ltd (RSSI).
Innovation in Apprenticeships and Competency Assessment
With the introduction of the apprenticeship levy, INFRA Skills is committed to delivering high-quality, flexible rail apprenticeship programs aligned with the sector’s current and future requirements. Collaborating with Colas Rail, INFRA Skills launched the UK’s first Level 3 Trailblazers Rail Apprenticeship scheme, enabling learners to enter the rail sector and develop their scientific, technical, engineering, mathematical, and design skills. The success of this program led to the expansion of INFRA Skills’ Rail Engineering apprenticeship program, incorporating a technician’s competence in Traction and Rolling Stock.
Investing in Technological Innovations
INFRA Skills invested significant resources in developing a cross-platform Mobile Assessment Application, designed to assess the competency levels of its workforce using custom bronze, silver, and gold question sets. This application allows assessments to be conducted anywhere in the UK, even in remote areas with limited connectivity. Additionally, INFRA Skills introduced INFRA-Cards, industry-leading smart cards that utilize QR code technology to provide a complete overview of skills, competencies, and qualifications, improving safety and productivity within the industry.
Expansion and Achievements
Throughout the year, INFRA Skills experienced growth and welcomed new members to its expert training team. The company’s dedication to delivering groundbreaking solutions and apprenticeship schemes was recognized at the Birmingham Post Business Awards 2018, where INFRA Skills, along with RSS Infrastructure Ltd, received the ‘Professional Services’ Award. As a part of the INFRA Family, INFRA Skills underwent a successful rebranding, complete with a new logo and color scheme, symbolizing the company’s values and commitment to growth. To accommodate expansion, INFRA Skills and RSSI moved to larger premises in Birmingham, marking a positive end to a successful year.
Conclusion
INFRA Skills’ outstanding performance in 2018 exemplifies its commitment to delivering high-quality rail and construction training. With continued expansion and a focus on innovation, INFRA Skills is well-positioned to achieve further accomplishments in the coming years, making a lasting impact on the industry.
