Alison McGovern becomes second RIA Rail Fellow after hands-on day at local rail site

6 August 2018


On Friday, Alison McGovern, Labour MP for Wirral South, took part in the RIA Rail Fellowship Programme, which showcases the work of the UK rail industry, by spending a day at local rail supplier Wabtec Faiveley’s site in Birkenhead.


Photo: Alison McGovern MP (left) with Darren Caplan, Chief Executive of the Railway Industry Association (right)

Local MP for Wirral South attended the Wabtec Faiveley rail site in Birkenhead and spent the day learning the nuts and bolts of the work they do to benefit the rail supply chain. This is part of a new exciting campaign - the RIA Rail Fellowship Programme - which is showcasing the work of the UK rail supply chain by allowing Parliamentarians and influencers to gain hands-on experience in the industry. A number of MPs have now agreed to take part in the RIA Rail Fellowship Programme, as decision makers line up to pledge their support for the UK rail industry.

Alison had discussions with numerous employees on site at Wabtec Faiveley and had the chance to see up close the work that they do. She also held discussions with senior staff about the work of Northern Rail Industry Leaders (NRIL), the group which brings businesses together to boost rail in the region. The completion of today’s site visit enshrines Alison as a member of the RIA Rail Fellowship Class of 2018. The class of 2018 in full will be recognised with awards at the annual RIA Parliamentary reception in The House of Commons on Tuesday 27th November 2018.

Alison McGovern MP said: “I had a fascinating time completing the RIA Railway Fellowship Programme on the Wirral. I have had a long standing interest in how the rail industry operates because of my family’s background spent working in rail and my own experience of working in the industry. It was fantastic to meet the team at the site in Birkenhead and to tour the site. I learned a lot from my visit and want to thank the team for the experience which I really enjoyed.”

Darren Caplan, Chief Executive of the Railway Industry Association said: “Wabtec Faiveley is a fantastic example of how the rail industry is generating skills and employment across the UK. The work of our rail sector is vital to the North of England and indeed the UK as a whole, boosting jobs, investment and economic growth. So it was great to show Alison the amazing facility and the work suppliers do to keep our rail network running.” 

Ian Dolman from Wabtec Faiveley said: “We are so grateful through RIA to have the opportunity for Alison McGovern MP to spend time at our site in Birkenhead. The site is a benchmark for the local area and for the group with good retention and development of its skill base which includes annual recruitment apprentices and graduate trainees.

The RIA Rail Fellowship Programme is being run by the Railway Industry Association (RIA), the representative body for UK-based suppliers to the UK and world-wide railways. RIA has more than 200 member companies and works to promote the importance of the rail system to UK plc, to help export UK expertise around the globe and to share best practice and innovation across the industry.

The rail sector is of crucial importance to the UK economy, contributing £36 billion in economic growth and £11 billion in tax revenue each year, as well as employing 600,000 people—more than the workforce of Birmingham. It is also a growing industry with the number of rail journeys expected to double over the next 25 years and freight set to grow significantly too.  

ENDS

Notes to Editors 

  1. For all media enquiries please contact: [email protected] or telephone: 020 3826 6211.
  2. About the RIA Rail Fellowship Programme: The RIA Rail Fellowship Programme is an exciting opportunity for UK parliamentarians and commentators to gain an insight into the valuable work of the UK rail supply chain at a RIA Member location. “Fellows” spend a day ‘on location’ with a RIA Member whose work is relevant to their role or constituency and experience opportunities reflecting the great diversity of technical disciplines within the rail sector. Candidates are gaining an invaluable understanding of a diverse workforce that together contribute £36 billion in economic growth and £11 billion in tax revenue each year, as well as employing 600,000 people. Alison McGovern is the second MP to complete her site visit for the RIA Rail Fellowship Programme, following Luke Pollard’s visit on 1 August. An additional 8 MPs are set to complete visits in the next few months. The RIA Rail Fellowship Class of 2018 will be awarded at the annual RIA Parliamentary reception on Tuesday 27th November 2018. Find out more here.
  3. About RIA: The Railway Industry Association (RIA) is the trade association for UK-based suppliers to the UK and world-wide railways. It has some 200 companies in membership, in a growing industry with the number of rail journeys expected to double over the next 25 years and freight set to grow significantly too. RIA’s membership is active across the whole of railway supply, covering a diverse range of products and services and including both multi-national companies and SMEs (60% by number). RIA works to promote the importance of the rail system to UK plc, to help export UK expertise around the globe and to share best practice and innovation across the industry.
  4. About Wabtec and Faiveley Transport: Wabtec & Faiveley Transport have come together from November 2016 and are a leading global provider of equipment, systems and value-added services for transit and freight rail. They cover 7 key locations across the UK and employ over 2500 workers. Wabtec and Faiveley are formed from over 150 years of history connected over time through acquisitions.