RIA Training Services Trains 100+ Learners In First Year

RIA Training Services completes its first year, training over 100 learners and addressing UK rail skills shortages, endorsed by National Skills Academy for Rail.

RIA Training Services Trains 100+ Learners In First Year
February 7, 2026 8:06 pm
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📉 Market Brief:
  • Event: RIA Training Services completes first year of operations.
  • Data: Over 100 learners trained; courses endorsed by National Skills Academy for Rail.
  • Implication: The private-sector initiative addresses a documented skills shortage that the UK Transport Committee is simultaneously urging government to resolve through policy reform.

LONDON – The Railway Industry Association (RIA) has marked the first anniversary of its RIA Training Services division, which has instructed more than 100 learners in its initial 12 months. The program, which offers courses endorsed by the National Skills Academy for Rail (NSAR), operates as a UK Transport Committee report urges government action on vocational training and skills shortages across the transport manufacturing sector.

Specification Detail
Service Provider RIA Training Services
Endorsement Body National Skills Academy for Rail (NSAR)
Reported Metrics (Year 1) 100+ learners; 3 training partnerships formed
Course Focus UK Railway Industry introduction, supply chain, work-winning strategies, technical details, specifications, and costs.

Operational Analysis

RIA Training Services delivers its curriculum through experienced railway specialists. The initial course offerings, including “Introduction to the UK Railway Industry” and “Supply Chain and Work Winning,” have been expanded to include bespoke on-site training for group sessions. Telent Technology Services received the first such bespoke course in January 2026. Cathy McEwan, Rail Team Administrator at Telent, confirmed the value of the training’s engaging delivery and audience participation.

Fiona Broomfield, program lead for RIA Training Services, manages the division’s scheduled program and its expansion. During its first year, RIA also formed three training partnerships that provide reciprocal course discounts for RIA members and customers of the partner organizations, broadening access to the learning programs.

As we noted a while back… 📰 the FRA mandated some serious safety upgrades. You can check out “FRA Mandates Safety Overhaul for US Rail ‘Shove’ Movements” 🔗 for all the details – published back in December 2025.

Strategic Impact

The establishment of RIA Training Services is a supply-chain-led response to skills shortages that have drawn government attention. A report from the UK Transport Committee recommends that the Department for Transport consult with manufacturers on the effectiveness of vocational training and restore level 7 apprenticeship funding. The committee also proposed competency passports to validate transferable skills across transport sectors, including rail.

While the primary source indicates RIA’s courses are aimed at new entrants, verification data from entities like Castings Technology shows a wider industry trend of using apprenticeships for leadership development and career progression, not just initial recruitment. RIA’s program contributes to one segment of a broader skills challenge being addressed by both private industry and governmental bodies.


FAQ: Industrial Context

Why is this project significant?

The program has provided industry-endorsed training to over 100 individuals in its first year, directly addressing a documented skills gap in the UK rail supply chain.

Who are the key financiers?

The program is a service offered by the Railway Industry Association (RIA); specific financial data is not provided in the source material.