The journey to winning a RailSTAR Training Evolution Award involves a meticulous and structured process designed to highlight and honour the most outstanding companies within the railway sector.

• Nomination: Companies* are nominated based on their level of RailSTAR training qualifications gained by their Personal Track Safety [PTS] trained staff within the railway sector in the UK and Ireland. This nomination highlights their contribution to railway specific health and safety training and positions them as candidates for the awards. *Specific train operator departments may apply individually.

• Screening: Once nominated, the RailSTAR team conducts an initial screening. This step ensures that each nominee meets the high standards of the award criteria. This phase is critical to maintaining the integrity and prestige of the awards.
• Evaluation: Following screening, a comprehensive evaluation of each nominee RailSTAR training records takes place. This stage is pivotal in understanding the level of award each company gains.
• Winners Selection: The culmination of the nomination process sees the selection of winners. Those companies that achieve the required scores are honoured as winners of the RailSTAR Training Evolution Awards, celebrating their outstanding contribution to the safety of front-line staff working in the Railway industry.

Winning a RailSTAR Training Evolution Award strengthens a company safety profile, enhancing its visibility and opening strategic opportunities. This section explores the multifaceted benefits of these accolades.

• Enhanced Brand Visibility and Marketing: Winning this award increases a company’s visibility towards its commitment to railway industry specific health and safety training. This recognition makes the brand more recognisable and trusted among clients, leading to better marketing opportunities and increased sales.
• Networking Opportunities: Presented at key railway industry events, these awards provide valuable networking opportunities. Winners often meet industry influencers and peers, leading to new partnerships and company growth.
• Improved Employee Morale and Attraction of Talent: An award boosts team morale and attracts top-tier talent. Employees are drawn to companies recognised for their excellence and see them as desirable workplaces.

Fulfilment of Health and Safety Objectives: The award demonstrates a company’s commitment to improving organisation-wide safety culture awareness and appreciation of control measures. Providing a solid health and safety foundation for staff with globally recognised certification at all levels.

The criteria include:

• Company Size: Eligible companies must fall within certain size parameters, such as currently having more than twelve Personal Track Safety [PTS] trained employees.
• Company Type: Suitable companies are required to provide a service which requires staff to work on or near the line.
• RailSTAR Training Evolution Award Levels: The percentage of PTS trained staff holding a valid RailSTAR qualification will determine the award level*.
  • Platinum Award: more than 90%
  • Gold Award: more than 70% – less than 89%
  • Silver Award: more than 50% – less than 69%
  • Bronze Award: more than 35% – less than 49%

*Companies with twelve to twenty PTS trained staff are only eligible for Bronze and Silver Awards.

• Operational Years: RailSTAR Training Evolution Awards require that the company has been operational within the railway industry for a minimum of three years, ensuring suitability, stability and track record.

These benchmarks ensure that the awards accurately reflect the successes and challenges specific to railway industry businesses.

The awards are presented all year round, and winners are announced online and via news stories published on tier one news sites globally.