Rail Minister visits TRUST
On 18 August, Active Training Team (ATT) was delighted to welcome the Minister for Rail, Huw Merriman, to the TRUST safety leadership centre to experience the programme and officially open the building. (pictured below, left to right: ATT Director Adam Christopher, Minister for Rail, Huw Merriman, TRU Director Neil Holm)
TRUST was commissioned by TRU, the Transpennine Route Upgrade project designed to improve connectivity in the north of England. The purpose-built centre in Huddersfield represents a £2.7million investment by TRU in the health, safety and wellbeing of everyone working on the project and the creation of a world-class facility that will benefit the entire rail industry.
The Minister participated in a shortened version of the TRUST programme which introduced the narrative set on a fictional rail infrastructure project. He described the experience as ‘uncomfortable and powerful’.
TRU workers who have attended TRUST have variously described the programme as ‘hard-hitting’, ‘thought-provoking, ‘convincing’ and ‘The most effective safety training I have had’. In feedback, a number of participants have suggested TRUST ‘should be attended by all in the rail industry’ and ‘mandatory’.
ATT Director Adam Christopher was there on the day and commented:
‘We are always excited to introduce people to the work we do at ATT, but the Minister’s visit signalled an opportunity for the TRUST programme to reach the whole of the rail industry.
‘Over 2,000 TRU employees and contractors have attended so far and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. We know this programme has resonated deeply with people and is driving better behaviours and communication on site and across the whole organisation. TRUST sets the gold standard for safety leadership training and the rail industry.’
