NS
NS announced May 7 that it is offering a new Trades on Track scholarship, providing financial assistance to vocational students within the railroad’s 22-state network. Funds can be used for tuition, computer equipment, tools, and other important expenses.
Vocational school enrollment is up over 15% from pre-pandemic numbers and experiencing a second year of double-digit growth, according to the National Student Clearinghouse, a Virginia-based nonprofit. Those numbers outpace other types of enrollments. At the same time, demand to ship goods on rail is increasing, providing opportunities for workers at railroads, the Class I noted.
From welders to conductors to electrical engineers, and so much more, rail provides multiple opportunities for long-term success, said NS, which is already investing in skilled workers:
- Its Norfolk Southern Training Center in McDonough, Georgia, was the first American Welding Society accredited testing facility in the state.
- It’s the only Class I railroad with an AI training program using virtual reality.
- It recently provided $350,000 in funding to the City of Refuge for construction and equipment of its new welding training center.
Applications are due by Sept. 30 at the Trades on Track Scholarship website for one of the scholarships—each worth $5,000. Atlanta-based SkillPointe Foundation is overseeing the program, which is open to new or current students, those looking to reskill or make a career change. The foundation works to grow skilled talent pipelines for organizations across the country.
“Norfolk Southern moves the American economy, and our trade colleagues are helping us build the railroad of the future,” said Kristin Wong, Director Norfolk Southern Foundation & Community Impact. “To ensure continued success, we are investing in the next generation of railroaders through industry-leading training, competitive benefits and compensation, and challenges that provide opportunities for long-term growth.”
“We are honored to partner with an industry leader like Norfolk Southern to highlight skilled trades career opportunities in the vital and dynamic railroad industry,” said SkillPointe Foundation Founding Executive Director Alvin Townley. “This new program expands access to training for aspiring workers while helping build the workforce needed to keep America’s economy on track.”
CSX
CSX has been recognized as the 2024 Rail Carrier of the Year by Diversified CPC and Highroad Consulting, Ltd., a prestigious honor that “underscores the company’s commitment to service excellence and innovation in freight rail transportation.”
According to the Class I, the award highlights “CSX’s ability to deliver reliable, efficient, and sustainable transportation solutions while maintaining strong customer partnerships.”
“CSX is very responsive,” said Highroad Consulting Ltd. President and CEO Sandra Dearden. “There’s no reason to say anything other than positive about CSX.”
The recognition, the Class I says, “reflects CSX’s ongoing focus on collaboration and safety, as well as its dedication to leveraging cutting-edge technology to enhance customer experiences.” Executives emphasized that this success is driven by “the hard work and determination of the company’s employees, who embody the spirit of the ONE CSX culture.”
“Our ONE CSX railroaders are the backbone of our success,” the company said in a statement. “Together, we’ve overcome market uncertainties, navigated disruptions, and continued delivering for our customers, shareholders, and communities.”
“The award recognizes not only operational strength but also CSX’s ability to support long-term growth and value creation for its partners. The honor follows a year of shared achievements made possible through teamwork and effective communication,” CSX continued.
With this latest accolade, CSX says it “continues to set a high standard in the rail transportation industry, reinforcing its status as a trusted partner and leader in service excellence.”
In related news, more than 8,000 Train and Engine employees across the CSX network are now equipped with iPads, providing critical tools to support on-duty job functions while offering convenient features for off-duty use. The distribution, CSX says, “marks a significant step in leveraging technology to enhance workplace efficiency and employee satisfaction.”
The iPads are equipped with custom technology that ensures distraction-free access to the CSX T&E Portal and other essential work applications during duty hours. Off duty, employees can enjoy popular features like FaceTime and iMessage, adding value to their personal time.
“We embraced the ONE CSX culture throughout the entire development process,” said Chad Varney, Lead Senior Product Manager for CSX. “From conception to product deployment, we sought feedback and support from across the business to ensure we delivered a tablet that worked well for our employees.”
The rollout, which involved teams from Transportation, Safety, Crew Management, Business Systems, and Service Design, reached more than 260 work sites. Feedback from the initial pilot deployment played a critical role in refining the devices, Varney explained.
“We initially were introducing a smaller-sized tablet,” Varney said. “But as we heard feedback from the field, we discovered our teams preferred a larger device–so we made a change to offer two different sizes, based on individual choice.”
The collaborative effort, the Class I says, “underscores CSX’s commitment to both operational excellence and employee experience, reinforcing its ONE CSX philosophy of teamwork and innovation.”
Watch the video below to learn more about how these devices are transforming work for CSX Train and Engine employees.
