Category: Advance TRS News

This Christmas whilst sat around the table with your family spare a thought for the Signalling Testers who will be working hard to ensure that plans to update the British railways are delivered on time, reports Victoria Turner of Advance-TRS.

Unfortunately every year, during the Christmas period, the rail industry faces a challenge mustering enough Signal Testers prepared to work the holidays. According to Andy Ridout, Managing Director of the specialist railway recruitment company Advance-TRS, this year is no exception.

With train operating companies eager to limit the disruption caused to travellers during peak times it is essential that scheduled commissionings are completed promptly over the festive season.

Says Andy, ‘Failure to deliver major commissioning work within the designated time frame could cause major interference to services. As a result, smaller projects could be cancelled and staff transferred to priority areas. For some, the Christmas bonus incentive is not enough to justify missing out on family festivities.’

According to Advance-TRS, one solution could be to consider using Functional Testers who are under mentorship for their IRSE licence. This would provide work experience and log book building whilst taking them one step closer to qualification and perhaps eradicating future staff shortages.

Another option is to outsource. James Sneller, signalling specialist at Advance-TRS believes that international workers could be the way forward. Says James, ‘Many foreign testers who already have UK experience and track certificates would find the offered rates highly appealing. All it would need is an agreement with Network Rail to approve a Certificate of Competence (CoC) prior to the work period.’

Advance-TRS is an international recruitment company, specialising in sourcing highly skilled, scarce railway candidates. For more information or to discuss your requirements with our team of industry experts call 01483 361 061.

Smart personnel are the most important element of any company. Staff represent their firm at every level and are often the face, image and brand of the business. So if employers go to all the trouble of putting time and money into selecting the most desirable candidates, it makes sense to retain them.

Investing in long-term training programmes keeps staff motivated and loyal. Better still it creates a thriving working environment that fosters the highly skilled, market leading, professionals who will take the company right to the top.

Yet in some sectors 43% of employees complain of lacking opportunity for growth, their potential remains unrealised. Increasing your staff’s skill base and job satisfaction through training makes economic as well as a professional sense. Poor customer service can damage reputation but can be put right through consistent and accessible training.

Says Andy Ridout, Managing Director of advance-Training and Recruitment (Services) Ltd, ‘At advance-TRS our training experts have developed talent retention strategies that maximise employee productivity through boosting morale and helping employees to enjoy and get the most from their jobs, thus decreasing staff turnover. This is an investment which no business can afford to be without.’

Training specialist Monique Choudhuri (Pictured), head of staff development at advance-TRS has built up a 25 year portfolio of blue chip clients including British Airways, BSkyB and Fircroft Engineering through training with a touch of humour.

‘The secret to successful training is to capture attention,’ says Monique. ‘I could tell my audience the meaning of life, but if no one is alert and paying attention it won’t go in. Delivery is the key. Teaching with a touch of wit ensures that my message is heard loud and clear.’

Monique bases her techniques on the idea that the human attention span is often quite short. Training sessions must therefore be broken up into bite-sized segments that reflect this.
‘I captivate my students with short group participation exercises, activities and games. This stimulates them and gets their thoughts flowing. The information will then be absorbed by their long-term memory,’ says Monique. ‘I work on the ‘remember and apply’ model. I use Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) to ensure that everything I teach will be remembered and applied practically in the workplace,’ she adds.

Advance-Training and Recruitment Services offers staff training at all levels, to clients throughout the railway industry, with the aim of finding you the right personnel and making sure you keep them.

To book a free consultation with Monique or for further information on how we can help develop your business please contact advance- TRS on 01483 361 061 or email info@advance-trs.com

Andy Ridout, Managing Director of Advance-TRS, has begun his training to compete in the Horseman Xtreme Triathlon in Dartmoor next September – all because of a celebration.

Andy has previously competed in the London Marathon and the Barcelona Triathlon. Says Ridout, 40, ‘My team and I were celebrating our 100th placement – we started this business just over a year ago.’ From a standing start in 2010 the new company, Advance–TRS, now supplies top quality professionals across the railway industry. ‘We were talking about growing the business and feeling pretty confident about it,’ says Andy, ‘I found myself thinking out loud about a parallel physical challenge to sit alongside expanding the company.’

The idea of the Horseman Xtreme had come to him some time ago. The race starts by jumping into the icy waters, competitors then swim 2.4 miles to the start of the cycle race, enduring 112 miles of harsh gradients. After that comes a gruelling 26.2-mile multi terrain run.

Through taking part Ridout plans to raise £10,000 for a charity very close to his heart, the Railway Children.

Andy commented, ‘In India 11 million children live on the streets and in the UK 100,000 run away from home every year, often as a result of sexual abuse, neglect and violence. As a father of three, I find this both shocking and distressing and am committed to generating as much money and awareness as physically possible to help the situation. After all, what if these were my children?’ Over the coming twelve months Andy plans to visit children in the UK and India who will hopefully benefit from his campaign.

The Horseman Xtreme is thought to be one of the toughest challenges yet devised. Already Andy is hard at work building up a core base of stamina and muscle ahead of distance endurance training next year.

‘I run to work l daily routine is a 6K cycle, 5K swim and 7K run to work.’ He commented. I did the London Marathon and really enjoyed it. That’s what drew me to triathlons. Barcelona was great but Dartmoor will be a totally different experience. At first I put the idea to the back of my mind but it shaped up as a challenge and I knew I had to do it.’

Says Paul Merton, Operations Director at Advance–TRS, ‘Anyone who knows Andy understands that he is not one to shy away from a challenge. When he sets himself a target it will be completed. £10,000 is a lot of money, but if anyone can do it, it will be Andy Ridout, I’m confident.’

To launch the fundraising campaign Ridout has been asked to speak at 2012’s Dinner at the Roundhouse on the 11th October and is currently auctioning logo advertising space across his running vest and cycle jersey – see above* To join the fun and support the cause you can secure your company logo space by contacting Andy directly on 01483 361061 or ar@advance-trs.com. Alternatively, simply donate at Andy’s Virgin Money Giving page hundred candidates in employment throughout the UK and internationally.

The niche railway recruitment consultancy is now among the fastest growing suppliers to the majority of the rail industry’s key players.

‘Like’ Advance TRS on Facebook to follow Andy’s fundraising progress.

Andy Ridout, Managing Director of niche railway recruitment company, Advance-TRS has been recognised for his services to recruitment through a nomination for RailStaff’s Recruiter of the Year awards.

Chris Darlow, Operations Director at Rail – Kelly Integrated Transport Services Ltd commented;

“It is with great pleasure that I nominate Andy Ridout for the recruiter of the year award 2012. I have known Andy for a long time and have no doubt that his commitment and dedication to the rail industry over his 16-year long career has been second to none.”

Andy started out as a young Trainee Recruitment consultant to a large agency; there, he quickly worked his way up to Director Level where he specialised in Signalling and remained the company’s top consultant for over fourteen years.

After countless recruitment campaigns for the majority of the UK’s rail organisations, Andy finally took the big decision to set up his own international railway recruitment firm and in August 2011 launched Advance-TRS.

After twelve months, a colossal amount of hard work and very long hours, Advance-TRS are now recognised as experts in supplying the complete range of permanent and contract, blue and white collar staff throughout the industry and have grown from a two man band to employing twelve full-time members of staff, this in the midst of a recession that has impacted the entire globe.

Despite a very hectic work schedule, Andy enjoys nothing more than spending time with his partner and three children who are the inspiration for his latest campaign; in August next year Andy will be attempting Dartmoor’s ‘Xtreme  Ironman’, in the hope of raise £10,000 for Railway Children. The amazing cause is very close to Andy’s heart and supports over 11 million children who are homeless and abused throughout the UK, India and East Africa. To raise as much awareness as possible, Andy is planning on attending various rail seminars, exhibitions and events throughout the UK and overseas over the coming months.

‘Over the past five years I have worked closely with Andy on many staffing projects and can only praise his conduct, attention to detail honesty and integrity,’ Chris Darlow went on to say. ‘He is someone who always goes out of his way to make himself available to anyone in need of his help or advice, a quality that he clearly expresses to his team and accounts for their outstanding performance. A quick look at the testimonials on his LinkedIn profile page.

To support Andy on his venture to help Railway Children take a look at his Virgin Money Giving page

Andy Ridout, Managing Director of Advance Training and Recruitment Ltd is hard at work training for the Horseman Ironman competition.

Andy is dedicating his efforts to the charity Railway Children. As a father of three, he aims to raise £10,000 through sponsorship. Says Andy, ‘Everyday thousands of homeless children put themselves at risk through desperation to survive on railway lines around the world. There is nothing more precious in this world than children and I hope that my efforts can make more people aware of this fantastic cause.’

Andy Ridout has welcomed the news of Network Rail’s recent agreement to create a fair pay charter. Andy, who recruits permanent and contract staff throughout the railway sector commented, ‘It is a great and positive step for the industry which will have a hugely beneficial effect on the entire supply chain.’ He went on to say, ‘I hope that small and medium enterprises adopt a similar attitude in order to sustain the fluidity of the payment structure throughout the industry. The agreement sets to open new doors for the rail sector. By reducing the risk involved in investment, smaller business will be encouraged to invest in the industry, thus adding greater competition and improving on costs.’

Advance-TRS offers discounted introductory fees in return for shorter payment terms. The new charter will hopefully pave the way for the larger contractors to take advantage of this offer, giving them the opportunity to invest even more heavily in areas such as safety.

To follow Andy’s fundraising journey or to sponsor him please visit his Virgin Money Giving page.

Paul Merton has joined specialist rail recruitment company advance-TRS as Operations Director, to work with close friend and former colleague Andy Ridout.

Paul has 12 years experience in mechanical, electrical and rail telecommunications recruitment.

He previously worked as a Business Consultant at Maple Resourcing Ltd and has worked for Resourcing Solutions and Marks and Spencer.

Says Paul, ‘It’s really inspiring to see what Advance has achieved in its first six months and I’m thrilled at the opportunity to continue building a professional and trusted recruitment consultancy. The chance to work with Andy is also what attracted me to Advance.

‘Anyone who has met Andy will know how passionate he is about recruitment and the rail industry.’

Says Andy Ridout, ‘Paul is a very welcome addition to the team. Aside from being a good friend, he brings a wealth of experience and industry knowledge.

‘We share the belief that customers want to speak to real industry experts. That way, clients can be confident we understand their requirements and candidates can be assured we will find a role that’s right for them.’

Andy Ridout has launched Advance Training and Recruitment Services, a Link Up approved recruitment company specialising in railway engineering and construction.

The move marks the high point of Andy’s fifteen-year career in the industry, including ten years as Director for a leading rail recruitment company.

He is now using his wealth of experience to place candidates into Engineering, Management and project Services roles, both contract and permanent, across all major rail disciplines.

Andy said: “I’ve always loved working in rail recruitment. I enjoy dealing with candidates directly and have developed an in-depth market knowledge, I believe an applicant’s chances of success increase dramatically if their recruiter has extensive experience and a thorough understanding of the industry.”

Andy went on to say; “At Advance-TRS our knowledge and experience isn’t promoted up and out of the candidate’s reach, but right on the front line where it’s needed most.”

The philosophy is proving a success, with the company having placed over 30 candidates into permanent positions in its first ten weeks and appearing on the preferred supply lists of seven respected rail organisations.

“We’re already seeing some cracking results,” added Andy.

“We’re looking forward to continuing our success into the New Year by growing our team and getting more candidates into the jobs they deserve.”

Andy believes, despite the nation’s gloomy employment figures, that 2012 will be an exciting year for those working in the rail industry.

“There are some huge projects coming up, including the MAFA frameworks, London Underground’s SSR project and Network Rail’s centralisation to Milton Keynes, not to mention the Olympics, these will create a host of new opportunities. The upshot is, if you’re getting bored and starting to wonder what else is out there, now could be the perfect time to do something about it.”

Starting a new company may seem like a brave move, but then Andy has never been one to shy away from a challenge.

As well as having run five marathons since 2003, Andy completed the Barcelona Ironman race in 2009 and has now begun training for an exceptionally tough challenge; The Horseman Ironman, in 2013.

Andy is inviting anyone to get in touch and find out what Advance-TRS can offer. For information on Advance-TRS services or to discuss your requirements call 01483 361 061 or email info@advance-trs.com