NSARE – an incredible seven year journey to success

Gil Howarth
03 July 2015

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Gil Howarth, founding chief executive of the National Skills Academy for Railway Engineering hands over the reins of this vital industry led training organisation.

Having embarked on the incredible NSARE (National Skills Academy for Railway Engineering) journey over 7 years ago, taking the organisation from an idea to become a successful part of the future of the industry, Val and I are now handing over the baton.

It was extraordinary that following a casual discussion with Pete Waterman and Helen Dann over dinner, a concept became such a significant reality within the industry and it is with thanks to Pete and Jeremy Candfield, Director General of the Railway Industry Association that we were able to achieve our objective.

"The new Conservative Government has recently confirmed its support for NSARE as a crucial part of building the skills needed to drive the economy."

NSARE was established with wide railway industry support to help tackle current and future skills needs within the railway engineering industry. Developed by the industry, for the industry.

And looking back we are also very proud to have secured the support of the three Governments that have been in power during this period and the industry as a whole.

Initially, we worked closely with the Labour Government, mainly through Lord Andrew Adonis in his capacity as Minister and then Secretary of State for Transport. Having survived the General Election in 2010, we secured the go-ahead from the Coalition Government and NSARE was formally launched by Vince Cable in November 2010 when he announced that the UK Government would support the Business Plan.

"We are immensely proud of NSARE’s achievements, the pinnacle of which was last Wednesday when we took part in the ‘topping-out’ ceremony of NTAR, the National Training Academy for Rail, which will open soon in Northampton."

NSARE Limited was incorporated in January 2011 as a ‘not for profit’ company, wholly owned by its Members and ‘opened for business’ from its National Office in central London.

Last year, Transport Secretary of State, Patrick McLoughlin, stated: “The Government will continue to work through the National Skills Academy for Railway Engineering (NSARE) to tackle the wider skills challenges facing the rail sector as a whole.”

The new Conservative Government has recently confirmed its support for NSARE as a crucial part of building the skills needed to drive the economy.

Since the Membership launch in June 2011, NSARE has grown rapidly and today it has 364 Member organisations and is still growing at the rate of one new Member per week.

The Membership includes Network Rail, High Speed 2 and Transport for London including Crossrail; 30 Train & Freight Operating Companies; 180 consultants, contractors & manufacturers; 100 private sector training companies; 40 Universities & Further Education Colleges; 5 Qualification Development and Awarding Organisations.

"NSARE was established with wide railway industry support to help tackle current and future skills needs within the railway engineering industry. Developed by the industry, for the industry."

We are immensely proud of NSARE’s achievements, the pinnacle of which was last Wednesday when we took part in the ‘topping-out’ ceremony of NTAR, the National Training Academy for Rail, which will open soon in Northampton.

We are confident that NTAR will be the flagship training centre that will transform the approach to training and skills development within the rail industry and we look forward to attending the opening ceremony later this year.

I have handed over my responsibilities to NSARE’s new Chief Executive, Neil Robertson, and we wish him and NSARE good luck and every success.

As for us, we will be re-establishing our own international management consultancy, Howarth & Co, so do keep in touch.

Gil Howarth is the outgoing chief executive and founder of the NSARE and Val Howarth was aslo part of the founding team acting as events & facilities manager