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Arriva on the right track with Acorn management training
Management training programmes provided by Acorn - Wales’s largest recruitment and training specialists - are proving just the ticket for dozens of staff at train operator Arriva Trains Wales.
Arriva Trains Wales has enrolled more than 60 employees on a work-based management programme run by Acorn, which is designed to give staff nationally recognised qualifications in management skills.
And more than 20 front line staff, including train conductors and platform staff, are also undertaking Framework Modern Apprenticeships in Customer Service under the direction of Acorn
Arriva Trains Wales is part of the Arriva Group, a leading provider of passenger transport in Europe with a fleet of 116 trains covering a route of over 1,009 miles.
Qualifications being gained by the staff include an Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) Level 3 Certificate in Management, an NVQ Level 3 in Management, and Key Skills accreditation.
Workshops are being delivered by Acorn every three months at training locations around Cardiff and Shrewsbury.
Topics covered by the programme include time management, managing stress, problem solving, negotiating, ethics in business, law and practice in health and safety, working to a budget, building a team, leadership, holding meetings and managing information.
Liz Prince, Regional Training Adviser with Acorn, said, “The assignments to be carried out by the programme members have been designed in conjunction with Arriva.
“The course as a whole benefits the individuals by teaching them good management practice and processes, which they then put into practice in their workplace in their day-to-day management role.”
Kim Jenkins, Regional Training Adviser with Acorn, added, “The course gives people a structure to work towards. Our objective is to give them management guidance in our workshops and then supplement that with monthly visits to make sure they are on track.”
Mike Brett, shift manager at Arriva Trains Wales’ Canton depot, said he welcomed the new training initiative. “I welcome the chance to come on this programme – it’s a fantastic opportunity. I‘m now in a management role, having previously been a team leader, and I’m keen to learn management skills. People are our biggest asset - if we can develop them, we are on to a winner.”
Established in 1992, Acorn has branches across South Wales and North Wales, as well as in Bristol, Runcorn, Preston and Gloucester. It has a turnover of circa Ł41m and employs more than 220 staff.
From its Head Offices at Celtic Springs just outside Newport, South Wales, many of Acorn’s specialist divisions such as Acorn Perms, European Services, Contract Management, Construction, Technical & Engineering, Rail & Civil, Nursing & Healthcare operate, and also the highly regarded Learning & Development Division.
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