South West Trains: Training Train Drivers in NTS to help improve safety

Posted on 23rd May 2014

With the growing interest in Non -Technical Skills (NTS), in particular how they can help improve safety in the workplace, leading UK train operator, South West Trains (SWT) decided to introduce NTS to their train drivers using a specially developed and interactive training workshop.

In 2014, SWT with the help of the OPC, launched an NTS project to train their train drivers in NTS. The project involved several key phases.

Phase 1: Identifying the key NTS

For train drivers, 26 NTS have been identified, based on research by the Railway Safety and Standards Board. In phase 1, Driver Instructors, Managers and Trainers were asked to identify the top 6 NTS which were most important for SWT train drivers to stay safe. This helped to tailor the training intervention to SWT and its drivers.

Phase 2: Designing a bespoke NTS workshop

In phase 2, a group of Driver Instructors, Managers and Trainers were selected to run the NTS workshops. They became the NTS trainers and attended a 5 day NTS workshop designed by the OPC psychologist. The workshop provided in depth training in the chosen 6 NTS. The NTS trainers then worked in collaboration with the OPC psychologist to design their own train driver NTS workshop that focused on the 6 chosen NTS. The NTS trainers then ran a pilot with senior managers. The feedback was excellent.

Phase 3: The NTS train driver workshop for SWT goes live

The workshop went live with over 1,000 train drivers attending over a period of 6 months. The workshops were highly interactive and fun and included video media from a top sports personality. Drivers learnt about the top 6 NTS that were most important for SWT train drivers and how they can use them when driving to help keep them safe. At the end of the workshop, drivers picked one key NTS they wanted to work on by picking an NTS commitment card.

Phase 4: Evaluating success of the NTS workshop

At the end of the workshop drivers were asked for their candid feedback on their NTS workshop. The feedback was extremely positive with over 90% of train drivers saying they liked the workshop and over 80% saying it worked for them.

'Identifying the key NTS for incident prevention, and rolling this out in a meaningful way where drivers can really engage and get something out of the day to take back to the cab, booking on point, or even their everyday lives was a challenge. The positive feedback received and take up of NTS was excellent, including the amount of drivers who thought this would help them now be safer.’

Head of Operational Standards at South West Trains

Phase 5: Fixing the change back at work

Every driver who attended the NTS workshop has a 3 month follow planned with their respective Driver Manager to discuss what NTS they have actioned since the workshop. Early indications are that the feedback is very positive.

‘This is one of the most comprehensive NTS training interventions to be rolled out with UK train drivers with feedback collected from over 1,000 train drivers. The robust follow up with drivers will help fix the change back and give NTS the best chance of working.’

Registered Occupational Psychologist at The OPC

Phase 6: Extending the reach of NTS

Following on from the workshops SWT are now planning to use NTS as part of their train driver selection process. This is promising work as NTS will have maximum impact if it is incorporated into the entire driver life cycle.

'Previous attempts at embracing NTS within the Driver community have been light touch. Working with OPC, we embarked upon a whole system approach to the introduction and understanding of NTS, focusing on Drivers identifying themselves what is most relevant and how they can best mitigate identified risks. The 'whole system' approach ensures that a thorough review of recruitment, training and line management is included within our scope, as a means to ensure that NTS is embedded and there to stay.'