The railway industry is transnational and one of the fastest growing industries in the world, necessitating a skilled workforce able to: master new technologies, ensure and facilitate the effective implementation of innovation and handle railway system complexity with ease in the era of digitatlisation. To build and retain such a workforce that responds adequately to new technological developments, innovation, wider economic changes and the intricacies of local markets, creation, promotion and application of knowledge need to be secured through multi-national / cultural / sectoral joint ventures to establish a contact, promote innovation, facilitate implementation and ensure the fullest open exchange of good / best practice at all management levels: operational, tactical and strategic. The main objective of the ASTONRail strategic partnership is to develop a portfolio (toolkit) of innovative methods, approaches and professional practices for rail skills development and as a result improve and modernise the current rail higher education provision in Europe. The most relevant horizontal and sectoral priority that ASTONRail stratigic partnership will address is tackling gaps and mismatches between industry requirements and expectations and the current higher education provision for rail knowledge and skills development. The ASTONRail partnership consists of eight participating organisations (AU, KTH, DICEA, EURNEX, UNIZA, UMA, UNIZG and TH WILDAU) well known for their contributions to the development, innovation and modernisation of the rail industry in Europe and around the World. Collectively the ASTONRail partnership members and associated partners will work towards identifying and bridging current gaps and mismatches between industry expectations and current rail higher education provision. We will work together to make the European rail sector more attractive to young rail professionals and to future talents at university and professional levels in national and international contexts, by promoting the scientific, high-technological and operational developments of the railway sector, its sustainability and environmental credentials. The expected outcomes of the ASTONRail strategic partnership are focused on the development of nine intellectual outputs and encompass the following: - Establish a proactive strategic partnership to represent rail higher education and work towards tackling gaps and mismatches between rail higher education provision and industry expectations and requirements for rail skills development. - Develop a new portfolio of specialised rail related teaching, learning and training methods, approaches, tools and professional practice at undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate levels, which incorporate innovation and new developments for rail higher education provision; where e.g. research-based, eLearning and talent management are considered as priority areas; - Build the foundation and mechanisms for gaining cognitive and transferable skills needed for career progression within the rail industry; - Promote initiatives to make the European rail sector more attractive to young rail professionals and talents and also advertise rail as a future mode with exciting career opportunities at vocational, university and professional levels in national and international contexts, by promoting the scientific, high-technological and operational developments of the rail sector, its sustainability-related and environmental credentials. - Design and implement an intensive university-based study programme, including joint training events, short courses integrated by working experiences and possibilities for internships, partnerships to work on and resolve industry relevant problems and dedicated assignments, test new methods for skills development in a real working environment, implement the acquired knowledge and to assess and validate the outcome of the new University-based approaches and innovative practices for rail higher education developed by the ASTONRail strategic partnership; - Devise and test a technical spec profile (TSP) for a next generation skilled workforce for a vibrant rail sector and write collectively guidelines, develop and maintain a “living” handbook and disseminate it widely. The profound impacts envisaged from ASTONRail strategic partnership are fully centred on combating the staff shortage in the railway industry and equipping the current and future rail employee with the skills and competences required for successful career in the railways. Due to its timely and innovative nature, ASTONRail will be a key reference in the field of rail university degree programmes, higher education provisions and rail skills development. With its activities and intellectual outputs The ASTONRail strategic partnership will pave the way towards the development and implementation of a common Europe-wide standard on rail skills development for a vibrant workforce.
The ASTONRail project pursued distinct objectives in line with its primary aim of establishing a strategic rail higher education partnership. Specifically, these objectives target challenges related to the pressing need for rail workforce development, upskilling and education in the entire sector, namely: 1) Identify Gaps: Analyse industry-education disparities, pinpointing their causes through matching industry expectations with the current rail higher education provision. 2) Develop an Innovative Toolkit: Create diverse teaching methods and approaches to modernise rail education. 3) Test Toolkit: Validate methods in real-world educational settings through the delivery of an intensive programme. 4) Promote Rail Careers: Attract early-career professionals to the sector through intensified engagement and outreach activities. 5) Develop a user-friendly handbook offering easy access to innovative and effective teaching and learning practices for rail skills development and subject-specific knowledge and competencies. These objectives aimed to foster a skilled, adaptable rail workforce aligned with the rail industry's needs, enhance the rail education provision, and promote an innovative and vibrant rail industry in Europe.
The ASTONRail project application aimed to address the pressing need for facilitating the development of a skilled rail workforce to enhance efficient rail system operations, promote sustainability and align with UNESCO Sustainable Development goals. With the rail sector's increasing ecological importance, driven by its energy efficiency and environmental benefits, the project sought to bridge an identified skills gap. The rapidly evolving rail industry demanded expertise in new technologies and innovation. The project's transnational approach was essential to secure a skilled and adaptable workforce and facilitate knowledge exchange among universities. Furthermore, it aligned with the European Commission's Fourth Railway Package, emphasising the importance of a skilled rail workforce. The project's innovation centred on developing specialised rail-related teaching and learning methods that focused on cognitive and transferable skills. This comprehensive approach aimed to attract young professionals, promote sector advancements, and contribute to the rail industry's growth, making it a dynamic and competitive field. The transnational collaboration added value to rail skill development initiatives and the sector's overall progress.