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National Apprenticeship Week 2021 ​Taking place across the country, National Apprenticeship Week showcases how apprenticeships have helped employers and people of all ages and backgrounds. Ganymede are celebrating National Apprenticeship Week 2021 to spotlight the amazing work done by our apprentices as well as to provide an insight into what the scheme involves.​Apprenticeships are a great way to hit the ground running, learn relevant skills whilst also making a valuable contribution to the success of the organisation you are joining. On top of all this, you'll be earning whilst you learn and working towards receiving a qualification at the end of your scheme. ​If you are considering an apprenticeship but aren't sure what it might involve, we spoke to two of our apprentices, Andy Rowland and James Bacchus, to provide you with an insight into the Ganymede scheme: ​​"Why did you want to do an apprenticeship?"​Andy "I wanted to do an apprenticeship as I felt that I would gain more from it in the long run, as opposed to just paying for my PTS and trying to get work and progress on track that way. I believe that I will become more employable in the future with the experience, opportunities and tickets I have gained so far through the apprentice program." James​ "I chose the apprenticeship route as I realised what an opportunity it was and how many different tickets and qualifications I could achieve. As well as this, I also realised it was a great opportunity to help start a fantastic career within the railway."​"What projects have you worked on with Ganymede?" ​Andy "So far, I have been involved in many Ganymede projects and have been putting to good use some of the tickets I have obtained, from using my Working at Heights to assist with a special project on a gantry where we were updating some safety railings, to operating the triple wacker on a big renewal job at Harrogate Station. I have also been involved in assisting the installation of a set of switches on the same job." ​James​ "I have been involved in a few different projects, such as full re rails to laying new tracks and troughing routes. I have also been a part of a specialist projects team who travel the country dealing with a variety of aspects such as signal improvements, signal renewals and putting new signals in. I have also been part of teams that were doing troughing routes, both taking out old trough routes and replacing with newer troughs and tidying them up, laying new cable to be installed into signals etc."​"What have you learnt during your apprenticeship with Ganymede?" ​Andy "I feel that I am progressing well through the apprenticeship thus far, both with the theory and practical aspects. I have thoroughly enjoyed being able to assist with work operations in a physical manor and contribute towards problem solving to get the job at hand completed within the set time scales." ​James​ "During my Apprenticeship with Ganymede I have learnt many different skills and roles since starting. I have learnt how to use and be competent with most of the small plant and hand tools that you will come across on the railway, as well as learning how to carry out a variety of different job roles such as troughing, laying and taking up track, sleeper changes laying new sleepers and digging them out correctly. As well as carrying out the civil side of the railway, such as clearing vegetation access improvements, cable pulling, troughing, signal improvements and laying new cables. I have enjoyed getting hands on and learning new skills whilst out on sites on jobs as well as working in different places all over the country."​"What are your future plans in your career?" ​Andy "I'm looking forward to progressing further. I strive to always better myself, to become a valued employee, a key team player and hopefully resulting in me being requested to assist with future work operations and to work my way up within the industry."​James​ "My future plans are to carry on learning throughout my apprenticeship and pick up as many skills as I can and to see what different job roles are out there. In doing so, I hope to find a certain role with in the railway which I enjoy and I can excel in and work my way up the ladder within this job role."​​If you would like to join a rail apprenticeship scheme or get more information on what the Ganymede apprenticeship entails, contact us for more information. ​​

​The Do’s and Don’ts of Online Interviewing​There is no denying that 2020 was a year of change. The way we now live, and work looks completely different to what it did twelve months ago and as a result, the way in which companies now recruit has also changed. While online interviewing has become more frequent in recent years, it is now being used at the recruitment method of choice as we move into 2021, especially in the early stages of a recruitment process. ​In this blog we will talk you through the ‘Do’s and Don’ts’ of online interviewing, to allow you to make the best first impression and secure that role!​Do put time aside to complete the online interview; just because you do not need to travel to the interview and meet someone face to face, doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t take it as seriously. Ensure that you have enough time to prepare for and complete the interview properly and don’t need to rush through it. ​Don’t have any distractions; you will likely be participating in the video interview from the comfort of your own home. Where possible, schedule the interview at a time where you will be alone and shut yourself away in a room away from any distractions. Turn off the TV and radio, turn your phone and computer notifications off and focus on the task at hand. ​Do think about how you present yourself; just because you are not visiting the company’s offices, doesn’t mean you should forget about presenting yourself professionally. Get ready as you would for a normal interview, research the company’s dress code and plan your outfit accordingly ensuring it is appropriate. Consider the environment that will be visible during your interview; make sure you are somewhere suitable and that it is tidy. Also ensure you are physically well; flu season is upon us and if you would consider yourself too unwell to attend an interview, ask to reschedule. Your interview would rather see you at your best! ​Don’t relax too much; while it is important to be yourself and allow your personality to shine, remember you are still being interviewed. Usually your home is a place where you can unwind and relax, however for the duration of your interview ensure you are in a professional mindset. Be aware of your body language. Sit upright in front of the camera, be alert and don’t make any jokes or comments that you wouldn’t in a ‘normal’ interview.​Do be engaging and enthusiastic; for some there is something daunting about an online interview and it is very normal to let nerves take over. Without social queues and prompts, it can be difficult to get your personality across and that is without any potential tech issues such as the screen freezing or the sound lagging. Smile as much as possible and although it may feel weird, make eye contact with your camera to ensure the interviewer knows they have your full attention.​Don’t let technology stand in your way; there are some occasions where technology fails us – it has happened to everyone at some point and sometimes it cannot be avoided. However, do everything you can to ensure you won’t have any issues; check your camera and sound is working ahead of the interview, test your internet connection beforehand and make sure all your equipment is fully charged! If you are using our virtual interview platform, Ganymede Connect, you will be able to record a test to ensure you’re happy with the system and technology you’re using.​Do enjoy the process; it is easier said than done, I know! However, remember that you wouldn’t even be completing an online interview if your application wasn’t being seriously considered. The hiring manager or recruiter has clearly seen something in your CV they like the look of. Remember an interview is a two-way process, it is your opportunity to decide if the company is a good fit for you as much as it is for them. Ask questions, get to know the interviewer and embrace the opportunity! ​Let’s face it, interviewing is something many of us find daunting. With the many changes online interviewing will bring to the table, it’s perfectly normal to have some nerves. However, don’t let this put you off applying to that perfect role. Ensure you are fully prepared by remembering our interview tips in this article and you’ll be certain to make a great first impression.​​​

​​​The Winter edition of Safety First, Ganymede’s quarterly safety newsletter is now available to read.​In this edition we focus on:​Lessons Learned​Recharging portable electrical equipmentVerification of the Safe System of Work within the Safe Work Pack​Spotlight on Safety​Close Call winner, Matt Cook​Health and Wellbeing​Wake up your anklesHand Arm Vibration (HAV)RelationshipsCouch to 5KSleep Hygiene5 top tips for eating healthier this Winter​Driving in Winter​Driving in Winter conditionsKnow your speed limits​Social Responsibility​Ganymede's commitment to social responsibility in 2021Our partnership with Samaritans​Read the Winter 2020 Safety First Newsletter here​As always, we trust you will find the newsletter useful and engaging. If you have any questions or feedback after reading this edition of Safety First, please don't hesitate to get in touch using the form below. ​​

​What will 2020 be remembered for from a recruitment perspective? I suspect we would all offer a similar answer to this and that most will be doing everything they can to forget the past 12 months. I hope that as we continue to navigate these unpredictable waters, that we recognise how well recruitment activity has (finally) evolved beyond its over-reliance on ineffective CV or ‘application form’ driven processes and the opportunities this presents us. This is great news for you as a candidate; writing CVs is a guessing game which routinely fails to reward the best candidates, rather leaving hiring managers interviewing the best CV writers. 2020 has enforced a change and witnessed the real emergence of video interviewing as a key element of the selection process. But video interviewing has been around for years right? Well, yes and no. Yes, in that Skype, Zoom, Facetime, Teams alongside many other web conferencing tools have been seen in use where logistically it has been difficult to get people together. But ‘no’ because the interviewing aspect of a hiring process still necessitated a face to face meeting; rarely would a hiring manager be comfortable to make a hiring decision from a video interview alone. They were used to rubber stamp a decision already made. Now we are seeing video interviewing really influence the selection process, with an increasing number of companies incorporating video at the outset of a hiring campaign. ​Why is this such good news? Citing Richard Branson; "Personality before [resume]. A person who has multiple degrees in your field isn't always better than someone with broad experience and a wonderful personality."As companies embrace the time saving and effectiveness of video at the start of a hiring process, as a candidate you have a much greater opportunity to present your personality than you can achieve in a CV or application form. A potential ‘no’ can be turned into a ‘yes’. Ganymede’s team has seen many great examples in 2020 where the candidate deemed weakest on paper has proven to be the best in reality! Whilst we are not all gifted creative writers, it does not mean you are not a gifted Engineer or Project Manager etc, which you will more effectively be able to communicate through video (consider if a picture speaks a thousand words, how many does a video speak?) ​I am looking for a new role, what do I need to consider? Do not rely solely on your CV, LinkedIn profile or application form! We’re not saying these are unimportant, far from it, but as more people are looking for new roles and companies continue to embrace behavioural and personality driven selection methods, candidates can greatly enhance their position in the pack through becoming marketeers of themselves. This too involves embracing the value of video. Are you confident and comfortable in front of a camera? Most people aren’t, but it gets easier with practice (and practice will give you incredible awareness of how you ‘present’ to others!). Similarly, do you consider yourself a technology whiz? With the sheer number of video conferencing systems now available, it’s easy to let the nerves of various technology stumbling blocks affect your confidence and make for a disjointed interview. This is why we have invested heavily in our purpose-built virtual platform, Ganymede Connect. With step-by-step tutorials to support you, you can be certain that your only focus will be on the interview content itself - no distractions. ​What does this mean for 2021? Whilst we are only one week into 2021, the year has already provided further ‘change’ to the employment market – Brexit, IR35 legislation change in April and continued unpredictability and uncertainty courtesy of COVID-19. Within all of the above will be opportunity; investment into the transport and infrastructure sectors remains strong (despite recent amendments) and the pre COVID-19 skills gap hasn’t gone away (it’s just not quite got the same headlines right now). How you promote yourself, present yourself and highlight your unique personalities will be key to capturing not just any role in 2021, but the role to get excited about. Every company is planning for a strong fightback from the challenges of 2020 – they will certainly be looking for their new hires to contribute to that fight with positivity, energy and imagination. How will you demonstrate yours in your next application? Ganymede is working with several innovative organisations in the UK transportation and infrastructure sectors who have committed hiring plans for 2021. Many of these businesses have embedded Ganymede Connect into their hiring processes to eliminate unnecessary travel, reduce infection risk inherent with face-to-face meetings and improve the candidate journey from application through to hire. If you are looking for opportunities with forward thinking companies involved in the construction, improvement and maintenance of the UK’s infrastructure assets, we would be delighted to hear from you and to help you prepare for the changing hiring journey. ​​

​Ganymede are delighted to have welcomed 12 new apprentices onto the company’s Apprenticeship scheme ​The Ganymede Apprenticeship Scheme provides fantastic opportunities for individuals and prepares them for a future career in the rail sector. Apprentices learn the fundamental skills needed to work in the rail industry by undertaking work trackside, whilst developing academic skills in a classroom environment. ​Working in partnership with Network Rail, and training provider Intertrain, our apprentices will achieve a Track Maintenance Rail Infrastructure Engineering apprenticeship qualification at the end of the 12-month scheme. ​​​What does the Ganymede Apprenticeship Scheme entail? ​Throughout the apprenticeship, individuals will be doing a combination of classroom and practical based sessions. This intake has been split into two groups of six, so they can receive full exposure to the industry. Initially, the apprentices will receive five weeks of extensive training, which includes induction to track, OLEC1 and small plant. Following this, the apprentices will continue their classroom-based learning two days a week at their local college and go on to develop their practical skills two to three days onsite. The Apprentices will carry out various range of jobs, including the changing sleepers, routine maintenance tasks, renewals tasks, civil works such as vegetation tools training and Lookout training. ​What will apprentices achieve at the end of the scheme? ​On completion of the apprenticeship, each candidate will achieve the following qualifications: Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Rail Engineering Track Maintenance Level 2 Certificate in Rail Engineering Underpinning Knowledge Essential skills Personal learning and thinking skills Employment rights and responsibilities ​Oliver Wright, Operations Director at Ganymede said: “I am delighted to welcome our latest apprentices to the business. Our Apprenticeship Programme is an important way for us to support talented individuals build their careers, transfer their skills and encourage a new generation of rail engineers. I wish our new apprentices the very best of luck as they start their exciting new careers.” ​Individuals may then continue to work as a Track Operative or will have an opportunity to progress onto Level 3 Apprenticeship in Rail Engineering. ​Our apprentices have shown great enthusiasm already:​“I’ve found both communicating with Intertrain and Ganymede an easy process in regard to learning and courses.” “My experience with Ganymede and what they are offering is great. Also, at Intertrain, all the staff tutors are great to listen to.” ​If you are looking for an apprentice or would like to join a rail apprenticeship scheme, contact us for more information.​​

​Play your part this Christmas​Last Christmas, two individuals on site were seriously physically injured. But in addition to those two, there were tens if not hundreds who were mentally and emotionally injured. Watch the video to hear from those who received the horrific news 12 months ago, and the advice they would like to give to anyone who will be working this festive period. ​Watch the video and ask yourself: This Christmas, what does 'Home safe, Every day' mean to you?​​"If there is any doubt whatsoever in what you are being asked to do, and the role that you are being asked to sign up to - we want you to stop and challenge that. There is absolutely no doubt that we would rather have the conversation on impact on productivity, than the conversations we were having last Christmas."