THE INTRODUCTION OF NON-TECHNICAL SKILLS INTO A TRAIN DRIVER COMPETENCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM

Non-Technical Skills (NTS) are generic skills that underpin and enhance technical tasks, improving safety by helping people to anticipate, identify and mitigate against errors. Across the rail industry, there is a growing interest and recognition of NTS. Research has shown that NTS (such as situational awareness and decision making) underpin safe performance at work for safety critical staff. This paper presents the approach adopted by First Great Western (FGW) over the past two years, for the introduction of a Competence Management System (CMS) for Train Drivers that included Non-Technical Skills (NTS). The paper will describe the structure of CMS and set out the NTS training strategy and varieties of training packages used to support the NTS element of the CMS. The outcomes in terms of trainee reaction and the impact of the training on safety critical performance measures are discussed, along with a summary of lessons learnt.