Get your career on track as rail firms offer 2,000 apprenticeships in industry jobs boom

The Sun

29-05-2025

HELP Britain keep on the move with a new career on our railways.
This year marks the 200th anniversary of the modern railway and it's one of the few sectors that can still offer a solid job for life.
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However, as the network modernises and embraces new tech, it also needs pioneering talent to keep trains rolling into the next century and beyond.
To celebrate the bicentenary and attract new staff, the nation's rail firms have launched the Railway 200 campaign.
Championing railway careers, it is offering 2,000 app­renticeships this year and a further 8,000 by the end of the decade.
Jacqueline Starr, chief executive of Rail Delivery Group, which represents operators, said: 'Apprenticeships provide a fantastic opp­ortunity for people to start their careers in a variety of roles in rail.
'The rail industry plays a vital role in connecting communities and supporting the economy, and we need a diverse range of skills and perspectives to create the workforce of the future.
'As we celebrate the railway's rich heritage, we're looking to the future, investing in our people to help us deliver the high-quality, innovative service that passengers expect.'
The apprenticeships on offer range from one to four-year schemes and are open to people from all backgrounds and ages, whether entering the workplace for the first time or looking to retrain in a career move.
There are positions with ­employers nationwide and across the rail industry, including Network Rail, train and freight operators, manufacturers and the rail supply chain.
The jobs span engineering to finance, train driving to sustainability, and IT to human resources, customer service and operations.
Bosses are seeking to recruit more women, people from ethnic minorities and those with neuro­diversity.
How train driver skipped uni to earn £50,000
Neil Robertson, chief executive of the National Skills Academy for Rail added: 'These are good apprenticeships, mostly in skills-shortage disciplines, that are recognised all around the world.
'We are looking for committed people from a wide range of backgrounds to fill them.'
For more, see railway200.co.uk.
TRACK TO THE FUTURE
HOLLY Hardy Johnson spent 20 years as a zookeeper, looking after penguins and other birds and lecturing at a specialist college, before joining the rail industry as a learning and development trainer with Avanti West Coast.
The 40-year-old from Nantwich, Cheshire, recently completed a Level 5 operation management leadership apprenticeship.
She said: 'I've always had a passion for lifelong learning and joining the railway appealed to me as a career move – despite feeling scary.
"I was able to transfer the knowledge and experience I gained as a lecturer teaching young people and adults to train new staff joining the railway.
'Now, I specialise in sustainability, inclusion, first-aid and safeguarding.
'My focus on delivering quality and project management means I have had the opportunity to work with organisations across the industry, including the British Transport Police and Network Rail.
'We strive to give the best training to our people, which in turn means we can help our customers and the planet.'
BE STEP AHEAD OF JOB SHED
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ONE in four employers plan to make redundancies in the next three months, so if you fear your job may be at risk it makes sense to prepare now.
As CEO of training and careers support specialist Generation.org, Mona Mourshed has supported thousands of people to switch careers.
Here she shares her expert advice to become redundancy ready.
1. Invest in your network. Think about who you already know working in the sectors you have your eye on and build those relationships – even when there isn't a job on the table.
Don't know anyone in the space you want to work? Find events or online communities that can expand your network.
2. Know your priorities, flex on the rest. Make a list of everything you want then hone it down to only the most important things. In a tough job market, you need to be willing to flex on your nice-to-haves.
3. Think in terms of career stepping-stones. Your next role might not be your dream job but perhaps it can get you one step closer to it.
You need to be thoughtful about how you can gain the skills and experiences that will move you closer to your long-term goals.
4. Do more than expected. Standing out is hard in a crowded field but, with the fast pace of change in the current labour market, there are opportunities for you to demonstrate your ambition.
Raise your hand for new projects, bolster your skills through training and master new tools.
5. Stay the course. In a tough market, you'll need to apply to many more jobs than you would otherwise. Even though this process can be discouraging, put in the work and find ways to keep your spirits up until your efforts pay off.
6. Colleagues are as important as the role. Your new work colleagues and your manager will play a substantial part in making the job a positive working and learning experience – or not!
Select your new role based on both the people you will be working with on a daily basis and on the job opportunity itself.
CVs STRAIGHT IN BIN
ONE in two job applications get thrown out immediately, a new study has revealed.
With recruiters receiving an average of 22 applications for every vacancy, 11 are screened out immediately.
A further six then fail at a phone-call stage, leaving just five to land an interview proper, research from employment search site Totaljobs reports.
The most common reason to reject an applicant at first base was a lack of relevant skills, followed by no work experience.
But a third of employers had seen enough after applications were poorly presented.
Spokeswoman Natalie Matalon said: 'Candidates greatly improve their chances by ensuring skills and experience align with the role. Detail matters.'
SO HOT TO TROT
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MORE than half of office workers admit leaving work earlier during the summer months.
Friday is the most popular day for pulling the so-called summer sneak, with a third of employees confessing to bunking off before time without telling their boss.
Two in five have called in sick to attend social events at this time of year, while 45 per cent lengthen lunch hours to take advantage of the warmer weather, a report from human-resources platform Dayforce reveals.
A spokesman suggests: 'For organisations looking to minimise summertime sneaking, create a culture where people feel empowered to take the time off they need.'