FIRST ScotRail’s fourth anniversary tour was hailed a ‘resounding success’ by managing director Mary Grant, after a week-long event visiting more staff, stations and depots than ever before.

Launching the tour, which included the opening of four new learning centres at Dum-fries, Inverness and Ayr stations and at Yoker depot, Glasgow, transport minister for Scotland Stewart Stevenson named a train ‘Investor in People’ at Aberdeen station.

The naming celebrated the company’s achievement of IiP accreditation in just three years – and, with around 4,300 employees, one of Scotland’s largest private sector organisations to gain the award.

The free-to-use learning centres, opened in partnership with Rail Union Learning, have a classroom environment tailored for individual study, with computer and library
facilities. Subjects include computer skills, English, maths, foreign languages, cookery and even sign language.

‘Extra Mile’, ‘Pride’ and ‘Champion’ awards were also presented to staff who had exceeded customer expectations and displayed continual pride in their work.

Ms Grant said: “Our fourth anniversary tour has recognised our staff for their ongoing contribution to the business. It is thanks to them that we have achieved IiP status and they continue to deliver high quality customer service, which we are determined to raise even further.”

-    South West Trains has secured Investor in People status for the second time following a rigorous assessment.
After becoming the first train operating company to win the accolade three years ago, the follow-up review involved three assessors interviewing 256 employees from a wide variety of roles at 12 different sites. They said the company had met the standards with ‘flying colours’.

Human resources director Andrew Welsby said: “Despite the changing economic climate we remain focused on supporting our people to do a first class job.”

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