Railway Institute to switch over to digital mode of training

Those attending refresher sessions will be exposed to simulated work conditions
Offering a slew of in-service initial and refresher courses for railway staff of different departments, the Zonal Railway Training Institute (ZRTI) at Tiruchi - the lone training establishment in the southern railway zone - is set to switch over to digital mode from the conventional method of imparting training and offering courses to the field staff.

Necessary improvements in training facilities were being put in place at the ZRTI.

The institute trains and conducts courses for employees attached to the South Western Railway Zone.

Situated on a 29 acre campus close to Tiruchi railway junction, the training centre set up way back in 1931 has now been converted into a multi-disciplinary zonal training institute to impart training and refresher courses to staff of all departments.

Officials said the ZRTI has been imparting initial training besides organising refresher courses and special courses for field -level staff.

The initial training is for newly recruited and staff on promotion.

Refresher courses are being organised for those already in service to keep themselves updated about the new rules governing the railway system and changing requirements.

Refresher courses are also being organised for Station Masters, Guards, Loco Pilots, Travelling Ticket Examiners and Commercial Clerk besides those attached to Personnel and Accounts.

Refresher courses for Loco Pilots, Station Masters and Guards are being organised once in three years, while it is once in five years in the case of Travelling Ticket Examiners.

Enhance competency

The institute has been imparting training in such way to enhance the competency of railway staff of various departments.

The shift to digital and software based hands-on training from the conventional 'chalk and talk' method would take place by this year, the official said.

Training facilities were being improved accordingly in tune with the push given to digitalisation and changing technological requirements.

Technological aids

Those attending refresher sessions would be exposed to simulated work conditions using technological aids to enhance their competency in dealing with challenging situations, said the official.

The Zonal Railway Training Institute had trained a little over 9,600 railway employees of various departments by way of organising 318 initial, refresher and special courses last year.

Source