Southeastern Railway

Our Customer Relations team have been listed as finalists in the, European Contact Centre & Customer Service Awards (ECCCSA). And are eagerly awaiting the outcome on 26th November!   They’ve been shortlisted in ‘the Best Approach to Supporting Vulnerable Customers’ category for the work of our specialised Assisted Travel Team within our contact centre.  The team have helped 23,971 customers in the past 12 months!   One of the ways we do this is by working closely with our Accessible Travel Reference Group, which is made up of volunteers with accessibility needs. The group regularly recommend practical improvements we can make and helps us to implement them with the right impact.     Frances Maynard, our Customer Relations Operations Manager, said;   "We’re thrilled to be named as finalists for this award! Our team cares passionately about ensuring our customers receive the help and support they may need. This recognition is a testament to our collective hard work, dedication, and passion. We’ll strive to keep pushing forward with the same energy and excellence. No matter the outcome, we’ve already achieved something remarkable together."  

We're happy to confirm the nine finalists for Future Labs, the rail innovation programme led by Southeastern, London North Eastern Railway, Northern and TransPennine Express.   Congratulations to Chata.ai, Cleancore Intelligence, 1Huddle, iqast - intelligent forecasting software, Cognition24, Zing Data, Treeva, PotentialU and Moonbility!    These nine startups will begin a 12-week programme to bring their products and services to life with insight and mentorship from the four train companies. To learn more, visit: https://lnkd.in/e98SD-cx.

As students across the country receive their GCSE and A Level results, we are proud to highlight the diverse and rewarding career opportunities available within the rail industry. This results day, we are shining a spotlight on the Innes family. All five of the family work here at Southeastern: Driver Chris Innes, Revenue Protection Team Leader Marie innes, Service Engineer Jack Innes, Operations Procurement Manager Amy Innes and the most recent recruit Purchasing Officer Lucy Innes! Our People Director Steve Foster says: "Receiving your GCSE and A Level results is a significant milestone, and it opens up a world of possibilities. At Southeastern, we believe that working here brings responsibility, pride, and achievement. We are looking to recruit great people who represent the diverse communities we serve. “There are many talented young individuals out there who could have a rewarding and enjoyable career with us, working in a wide range of roles across our network. I encourage all those receiving their results today to consider a career in rail. You can join today with full training provided or you can you join after college or university, perhaps on our graduate scheme or in a particular profession such as finance, engineering, IT and Digital or project management”. #CareersInRail #railwayjobs Photo credit Andy Jones

📣 Time is running out to apply for our first-ever Customer and Community Improvement Fund.   Grants of up to £50,000 are available to support projects that deliver social value within communities, reduce economic and social inequality, support social mobility and enhance rail’s positive role on society.   Hear from The Greenwich Society about how they're making a difference in south-east London.   Find out more and apply here 👉 https://lnkd.in/euYnuwT8

Our first ever Ofsted inspection has created a lot of smiles across the business as we have been rated as a ‘Good’ provider across all the categories they measure.   The report praises the value we place in apprenticeships and the professional progression we believe they can bring at any point in your career. They are a great start to any role and also an opportunity to gain the skills you need to take your next step.    Ofsted highlighted the ambitious training programmes put together by our Apprenticeship and Training teams to give colleagues the right skills for their roles, setting them up to succeed. Sarah Jones, our Apprenticeship Manager said:   “I couldn’t be prouder of the team, placing number 58 on the Top 100 Apprentice Employer list and now achieving a ‘Good’ grade from Ofsted on our first inspection. We are so passionate about the value of apprenticeships for our people and the industry – it’s rewarding to see the work that goes into delivering them recognised.    “The teams not only work to deliver a great training programme that gives our colleagues documentable skills they will use for life, we are also matching what our railway needs. This is our biggest recruitment year ever, so even though this report was written when we had 294 apprentices in training, we will finish out the year with over 400!” Tom Monk, a Trainee Driver, was one of the apprentices that Ofsted interviewed. This is what Tom said when we asked him about his experience:   “Having been through a four-year Level 3 apprenticeship for light vehicle maintenance and diagnostics when I left school, I had a good idea of what is expected. But, what surprised me the most was how Southeastern apprenticeships are set up with the online log and evidence. It’s a great way to make it easier and has certainly helped me.    “My experience with the apprenticeship teams had been great, just enough contact to check up and make sure everything is going as it should, but they’re always a call or message away should I need help or advice.   “I’m very much looking forward to completing the apprenticeship gaining another qualification and feather in my cap so to speak. For a long time, I’ve wanted to become a train driver, so to learn on the job, gain experience and a qualification/licence with as much or as little support as needed is brilliant!” Steve Foster, People Director said:   “We want our colleagues to build long and sustainable careers with us and apprenticeships is one of the ways we can help their professional progression. To be rated as ‘Good’ on our first inspection reflects how highly we prioritise this offering to our colleagues.   “We also want to better represent the communities we serve, so apprenticeships are a great route into the railway for those who previously wouldn’t have considered joining us. Doing an apprenticeship with us means you’ll get role-specific training on and off the job, helping you to succeed in what could be the start of a long career.”

Our first ever Ofsted inspection has created a lot of smiles across the business as we have been rated as a ‘Good’ provider across all the categories they measure.   The report praises the value we place in apprenticeships and the professional progression we believe they can bring at any point in your career. They are a great start to any role and also an opportunity to gain the skills you need to take your next step.    Ofsted highlighted the ambitious training programmes put together by our Apprenticeship and Training teams to give colleagues the right skills for their roles, setting them up to succeed. Sarah Jones, our Apprenticeship Manager said:   “I couldn’t be prouder of the team, placing number 58 on the Top 100 Apprentice Employer list and now achieving a ‘Good’ grade from Ofsted on our first inspection. We are so passionate about the value of apprenticeships for our people and the industry – it’s rewarding to see the work that goes into delivering them recognised.    “The teams not only work to deliver a great training programme that gives our colleagues documentable skills they will use for life, we are also matching what our railway needs. This is our biggest recruitment year ever, so even though this report was written when we had 294 apprentices in training, we will finish out the year with over 400!” Tom Monk, a Trainee Driver, was one of the apprentices that Ofsted interviewed. This is what Tom said when we asked him about his experience:   “Having been through a four-year Level 3 apprenticeship for light vehicle maintenance and diagnostics when I left school, I had a good idea of what is expected. But, what surprised me the most was how Southeastern apprenticeships are set up with the online log and evidence. It’s a great way to make it easier and has certainly helped me.    “My experience with the apprenticeship teams had been great, just enough contact to check up and make sure everything is going as it should, but they’re always a call or message away should I need help or advice.   “I’m very much looking forward to completing the apprenticeship gaining another qualification and feather in my cap so to speak. For a long time, I’ve wanted to become a train driver, so to learn on the job, gain experience and a qualification/licence with as much or as little support as needed is brilliant!” Steve Foster, People Director said:   “We want our colleagues to build long and sustainable careers with us and apprenticeships is one of the ways we can help their professional progression. To be rated as ‘Good’ on our first inspection reflects how highly we prioritise this offering to our colleagues.   “We also want to better represent the communities we serve, so apprenticeships are a great route into the railway for those who previously wouldn’t have considered joining us. Doing an apprenticeship with us means you’ll get role-specific training on and off the job, helping you to succeed in what could be the start of a long career.”

Head to our beautiful booking hall at Margate station tomorrow (17 Aug, 10am - 1pm) to become part of Hornby Hobbies Ltd history by getting scanned for a 3D mini model to be placed in the location of your choice, in the fabulously distinctive layout of the local area - do you want to recline on the beach, dance in the crowd at Dreamland Margate or jump on a train at the station? Edward Goddard ACIRO and the team are ready to welcome you to Margate 😎 Modelu3d

Earlier this year, Southeastern became the UK’s first rail operator to publish a Social Mobility Action Plan, in partnership with The Purpose Coalition. Here is our Managing Director, Steve White, explaining how Southeastern is working to provide genuine opportunities and social mobility to people across our network.

The fine Victorian façade of Deal Station has been brightened with an array of flowers thanks to the hard work of one of our colleagues who has created a dazzling display of year-round colour and greenery. This is all part of our 'Southeastern in Bloom' competition for our colleagues at stations, train crew and engineering depots. Graham Mollison MCIWM CEnv MSc (Climate Change) Mollison, Head of Sustainability, was delighted at the number of applications. “It is encouraging to see entrants mention the use of eco-friendly gardening approaches,” says Graham, “This will help make sure our green spaces are both beautiful and kind to the environment.”    All competitors are encouraged to consider planting to attract pollinators; give wildlife a “home” in their space; conserve water; go “peat free”; recycle and re-use; make their compost where possible; avoid pesticides / insecticides; and grow the right plants in the right place. When Elizabeth Taylor, Deal Sales, thought ‘what if’ she could bring more blooms to Deal, the result has been a transformation of the station entrance and some intriguing additions to the ticket hall. At the moment, her display includes Agapanthus African lily, Fuchsia Mrs Popple, Dahlia Yellow and Allium Millenium. “I kept the plant labels and check on them to make sure I am doing the right thing,” says Liz “If I don’t know, customers will give me advice.” Two have even donated some plants. In addition to her love of colour, fragrance and foliage, Liz is also mindful that her planters support biodiversity. “I love watching the creatures on the plants!” says Liz who has introduced a bug hotel and she regularly spots butterflies and bees. Liz is also growing some wildflowers from seed to see if she can offer more blooms to pollinators in future. Liz’s sense of community spirit provides her momentum to continue delighting Deal’s customers with her blooms. “People come in to say the plants are lovely,” she says, “It means so much.” #DealStation #SoutheasternInBloom 🌻🌸🌹💐

Our Head of PMO Sathi Singh shares her story with the Women in Transport podcast to celebrate South Asian Heritage Month. #womenintransport #womeninrail #diverstityandinclusion