Train station workers given platform to learn languages

Published on Thursday 22 October 2009 09:45

TRAIN station staff in Edinburgh are set to be offered lessons in both sign-language and foreign tongues to help passengers find their way.

A new Rail Learning Centre opened at Edinburgh Waverley station earlier this week which is open to all rail union members including train drivers, station staff and trolley staff.

It also provides computers and library books for employees to use or read in their free time.

A range of languages will be taught on the foreign language courses, including French, German, Italian and Spanish, to help rail staff communicate with foreign tourists, with literacy, numeracy and IT courses also on offer. Staff will have the chance to take part in cookery classes at a local college.

The sign language course is aimed at helping rail employees to assist customers who are hard of hearing by enabling them to respond to hand signs such as, 'What time is the next train?' and 'What platform does the train leave from?'.

Any places leftover on the courses will be offered to family members of staff.

The learning centre, which cost around 10,000, is part of a partnership between ScotRail and the four rail unions – ASLEF, TSSA, RMT and Unite.

Scottish Union Learning Fund project worker, Jim Baxter, 40, said: "Being able to deliver shift-friendly, free learning in the workplace is absolutely fantastic.

"The whole point is to break down the barriers and get people back into the whole learning way of thinking again."

He added: "Learning sign language means that staff can feel confident when dealing with people who are hard of hearing.

"It is about empowering them and giving them that confidence when they are doing their job."

A 'Brush Up Your Skills' basic literacy and numeracy course will also incorporate CV and letter writing. Each 10-week course is run by professional tutors and will be held during one day each week.

The two-hour session takes place twice on that particular day each week to enable staff to attend the course no matter what shift they are working.

Other centres are already up and running at Ayr, Dumfries, Dundee, Inverness and Stirling stations, as well as two Glasgow depots – Yoker and Shields Road.

Mr Baxter, who is responsible for the running of the learning centre project, added that the centres – which also provide language discs, dictionaries and thesauruses – are now "part and parcel of the railway".

MSP Karen Whitefield, who is the convener of the Education, Lifelong Learning and Culture Committee, officially opened the facility.

She said: "The old idea that we leave learning behind when we finish school or college is long gone – lifelong learning is here to stay, bringing real benefits for workers and their employers."

ScotRail's managing director, Steve Montgomery, said: "We are committed to helping employees access learning opportunities."

The entrance to the centre is next to Marks & Spencer.