National Training Academy for Rail (NTAR)

NTAR is a trading name of Siemens Mobility Limited. The idea of a national training academy for rail came from the recognition that a significant skills gap existed in the rail industry just as the transition to the ‘Digital Railway’ gathered speed. In fact, the shortage was a predicted 8,000 people over a ten year period.

So a collaboration between the National Skills Academy for Rail (NSAR), the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy, along with the Department for Transport, and Siemens Mobility, conceived an idea to create a training academy that would ‘mind the gap’ and create a highly-skilled workforce for the future.

In 2015, NTAR opened its doors to its first intake of students. We are structured to ensure that our delivery and operation provide the highest quality training and a positive experience.

Since then, more than 21,000 delegates have attended our multi-million pound training facility in Northampton to upskill, learn, and retrain on our many practical, skills development and educational programmes. We pride ourselves on providing trainees with the skills to ensure they have the competency to do their job and an experience that makes them eager to return.

Our people

We are structured to ensure that our delivery and operation provide the highest quality training and a positive experience.

Trainers, Tutors and Assessors: skilled rail experts with a wealth of industry knowledge that underpins every course they deliver. They have a combined ambition to upskill and cross-skill trainees and apprentices to make sure we have the future workforce required to meet the technical competence demanded by our rail network.

Apprentice Account Management: responsible for apprentices at NTAR. They conduct regular reviews, make sure the apprentices keep up with the schedule and deliver the highest standard of pastoral care to ensure that the general well-being of each apprentice is taken care of.

Business Development and Governance: oversee initiatives and activities at NTAR and ensure our trainers have the proper certification to achieve the standard we are known for delivering.

Administration and Facilities: the backbone of NTAR. They play a central role in the smooth running of the academy, making certain that every activity is conducted safely and within health and safety guidelines.