Future of light rail training showcased in LRSSB podcast

Developed by the Light Rail Safety and Standards Board, the new ‘Skills Hub’ aims to standardise competencies across the sector, while enabling operators to keep track of required certifications and help them identify the most appropriate training courses.

The sophisticated online platform, which can be accessed securely through the LRSSB web portal, has already been adopted by Edinburgh Trams, Sheffield Supertram and West Midlands Metro, with other operators set to sign up to the initiative in 2026.

In the latest episode of the popular Let’s Talk Light Rail podcast, LRSSB Chief Executive Carl Williams outlines how the new approach will benefit individual operators while boosting training and development standards across the sector.

“A lot of fantastic work is already being done within various organisations, but they may not know that what they are doing could be considered ‘best in class’, and previously there has been no platform where others can learn from what they are doing,” he explained.

“Beyond providing dashboards where managers can have instant access to information on their own training and development programmes, the Skills Hub is also creating a community that taps into the enthusiasm within the sector to share best practice.”

Carl was joined in the podcast studio by Marlene Pearson-McGrath, who has worked on the Skills Hub project while on secondment from Edinburgh Trams, where, as Training Manager, she developed a similar platform.

In conversation with Carl and Carly Swift, LRSSB Marketing and Communications Manager, she explains the challenges of scaling up the system and ambitions for the future of the project.

Carl added: “The next phase of the Skills Hub project will see it evolve in line with the requirements of operators and, at the same time, help to drive the development of young people who are vital to the future of light rail,” Carl added.

The full episode of the podcast is now available to view here.