Meet the team

Tom was appointed Training Manager in May 2014. Tom’s responsibilities are to manage the day to day running of the Training Centre and all personnel involved in delivering training, assessment and administration of records and data to standards required by the Rail and Construction industries. After leaving school Tom worked on a farm until 2001 when he joined the company as a General Labourer. Tom completed his first PTS that year and qualified as a machine driver in 2002. In 2005 Tom went on to qualify as a RRV (OTP) Operator and became a Lead Operator in 2010. Tom’s training specialism began when he qualified as a Trainer/Assessor in 2012 and from there, progress his career to be appointed Training Manger in May 2014.

Dougie Aitken was appointed Trainee Trainer Assessor in August 2014 after having worked for the company for 14 years. Dougie is responsible for road rail vehicle training, and all attachments that go with the machines. An essential element of Dougie Aitken’s role is to ensure all Story Road Rail Operators are competent and trained to use all machines and attachments safely to meet and exceed Story and Network Rail on track plant standards. Prior to joining Story, Dougie worked as a deep sea fisherman from leaving school at 15 up until 1996. Following this he joined Alan Tuer and then moved onto Hewden plant hire. Dougie left the company for a short spell to work at J Murphy & Son but returned after 7 months. Dougie is now training to become and Trainer Assessor and is looking forward to finishing his qualifications in Learning & Development Level 3 & 4.

Tony returned to Story and was appointed Trainer/Assessor in 2014 after having previously worked for the company in 2000.Tony is a railway professional with a vast experienced in railway operations and safety. Tony is responsible for the development and up skilling of the workforce. An essential element of Tony’s role is to deliver Network Rail approved Track Safety Courses and Assessments. Prior to joining Story Contracting, he was Operations Director at Infrasafe UK, followed by Northern Delivery Manager at TES2000. Qualified up to Senior PICOP level, Tony has also worked closely with Achilles, Sentinel and other major rail organisations.

Rachael Williamson was appointed Training Co-ordinator in 2001. Rachael’s responsibilities are to prepare, facilitate, monitor and organise all training activities within the company. An essential element of Rachael’s role is the administration of CITB testing and the claiming of grant related funding. Prior to working for Story Contracting Rachael worked for a local Quantity Surveying firm for 5 years in an administrative role.

John is responsible for upskilling Plant Operators to the standards required to operate road rail equipment on the rail infrastructure. An essential element of John’s role is to ensure that Operators leave our training facility qualified and competent to work with different types of On Track Plant and attachments. Prior to joining Story Contracting John worked for WCF serving his time as a Agricultural Engineer then working for his family firm as a Welder/Fabricator. John is looking forward to spending more years in the Training Department bringing on new Operators and completing his Trainer Assessor level 3 and 4.

Dave Myers was appointed Trainer Assessor in 2003 after having worked for the company for 3 years as a Trackman. Dave is responsible for the training and assessment of a variety of safety critical roles working in the Rail and Construction industries. An essential element of Dave’s role is to ensure that staff are competent and confident to carry out their role safely. Prior to joining Story Contracting Dave worked for AutoGlass for 20 years starting out as a Fitter developing through to Network Manager. Dave also has a background in finance.  Dave is looking forward to passing on his knowledge and skills to the wider training team.

Alison was appointed Training Administrator in 2015 after having worked for the company for over a year as Temporary Training Administrator.  Alison’s responsibilities are to monitor, organise and prepare all training activities within the company. An essential element of Alison’s role is the administration of the training costs re-allocation, medical administration and data associated with training to work in the rail environment. Prior to joining Story Contracting Alison worked for the Cumbria Education Authority for 14 years starting, as a School Administrator then progressing to Management Level.