Get your career in rail on track
The number of major railway projects underway and in the pipeline, combined with the Government’s National Infrastructure Delivery Plan that commits a further £100billion worth of investment by 2021, is making 2017 an extremely exciting time to kick start a career in rail.
The railways of Britain are undergoing a huge transformation with London’s new railway, Crossrail, reaching its final stages, and HS2 expected to start on site this year. Alongside this, Chancellor George Osborne has recently indicated he will continue investing in rail by announcing plans to bring forward spending on other rail projects.
The rail sector and its supply chain contributes more than £10billion a year to the UK economy and employs around 216,000 people – a figure that’s set to increase drastically over the coming years. The high-speed rail project alone is expected to employ around 27,000 people by the end of this decade.
So, if you’re thinking of entering this exciting industry, here are some options you should consider:
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships can the ideal way to get your foot in the door and provide a steppingstone to a very successful career. The benefits of being an apprentice include; learning and gaining relevant skills whilst earning a real wage, hands on experience and a nationally recognised qualification that employers look for.
Experience
Entering the rail engineering industry can rely on several factors, and experience, as always, can be key. New entrants to the area are expected to have experience and qualifications in a relevant field such as a mechanical fitter, electrician or craftsperson. Protentional employers will look for transferable skills that could help with your transition in to the rail industry.
With the rail industry continuing to push the boundaries and innovate, whilst offering an incredibly rewarding career, it makes prospects within the industry more exciting than they have been for generations.
If you are thinking about a career in rail or would like to hear about the opportunities we have available, then get in touch with our expert consultants on 01489 774 010.