In order to address the requirement for Signalling Technicians both now and in the future Network Rail and McGinley jointly ran a pilot scheme to bring ex-Military personnel with identifiable and compatible skill sets into the Industry.

There are some 15,000 service personnel leaving the Armed Forces per annum, all highly trained and many educated to HNC/HND or Degree level, in advanced technical subjects. And of course they are all used to working in arduous conditions and in a highly safety critical environment!

The task for McGinley Executive was to:

• Attract, test and select the best possible candidates.
• Place them on the in-house McGinley ?Introduction to basic rail signalling? course and take them through to successful completion.
• Ensure all candidates passed the required D&A check, Medical and PTS Course and obtained their NCCA cards.
• Supply suitable PPE.

The Service leavers were then assigned to work directly under Network Rail management on a 13 week temporary contract before being offered permanent employment.

At the end of the temporary contract Network Rail had recruited highly skilled, highly experienced professional engineers, with both a formal introduction to the signalling discipline and practical experience provided under the guidance of a Network Rail manager. This is a true ?try before you buy? product.

All candidates exceeded expectations with the ?Star? of the pilot scheme being the ex-Chief Technician on the Queen?s flight. He has a BTEC National Diploma in Aerospace/Avionics studies and had spent over 20 years in the RAF, prior to joining Network Rail. His experience included service worldwide from Dubai to Greenland and covered ensuring full operational capability and safety on Nuclear Bombers and of course the Queen?s private jet!

Four Signalling technicians were supplied on the first tranche of the pilot scheme, commencing in June 2005, with a second trance of 6 following in September. McGinley have recently been asked to supply a further 14 technicians to other Network Rail regions.