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Scottish Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Get your career on track as rail firms offer 2,000 apprenticeships in industry jobs boom
Read on to find out how you can prepare for redundancy in these troubled times SUNEMPLOYMENT Get your career on track as rail firms offer 2,000 apprenticeships in industry jobs boom Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) 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. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Railway 200 campaign marks 200 years of trains with 2,000 apprenticeships on track for 2025 and 8,000 more by 2030 Credit: Getty - Contributor 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 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 3 Mona Mourshed has supported thousands of people to switch careers - here she gives tips on how to become redundancy ready 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 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. JOB SPOT NATIONAL retail chain Accessorize is recruiting for sales assistants and deputy store managers nationwide. Search for posts, and availability near you, at 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.' JOB SPOT BUILDERS merchants Plumbase need sales advisors, showroom managers and warehouse staff. See SO HOT TO TROT 3 Over half of office workers admit to leaving early in summer, with Friday the top day for the sneaky escape Credit: Alamy 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.'
Wales Online
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
World Snooker Championship star opens up about ‘horrendous' experience before Crucible
World Snooker Championship star opens up about 'horrendous' experience before Crucible Former World Snooker Champions Neil Robertson and Stephen Hendry have both had to go through the Judgement Day qualifying round in their careers Neil Robertson detailed his "horrific" experience on Judgement Day (Image: Tai Chengzhe/VCG via Getty Images ) Neil Robertson revealed his "horrendous" experience at attempting to qualify for the World Snooker Championship with fellow snooker icon Stephen Hendry. The Australian provided a behind-the-scenes look into the gruelling final qualifying round, known as Judgement Day, where 32 players compete for a coveted spot in the main draw against one of the 16 seeded players. To reach this stage, snooker stars must endure three initial rounds, culminating in the high-stakes Judgement Day, just days before the main tournament commences. After slipping out of the top 16 in the world rankings in 2024 following a semi-final loss at the World Open, Robertson faced the daunting task of navigating the qualifying rounds for the first time since 2006. His Judgement Day encounter ended in heartbreak, as he suffered a 10-9 defeat to Jamie Jones, marking his first absence from the major tournament draw in 20 years. During an appearance on Hendry's Cue Tips YouTube channel, Robertson reflected on the growing popularity of Judgement Day, which Hendry noted had "become quite a big thing". Article continues below The 43-year-old said: "It was horrendous to be a part of last year, as much as I was trying to talk it down and just be like, 'Oh yeah it's [fine].' Robertson discussed the concept of Judgement Day with Stephen Hendry (Image: @stephenhendryscuetips/YOUTUBE ) "It's just absolutely horrific because the players there, you can just sense their desperation, of everyone around you, and when I was there last year, all the players were just looking at me like, 'Oh my god, what are you even doing here.'" Hendry shared his own experience of Judgement Day from when he first retired in 2012, noting that the final qualifying round "wasn't built up like it is now". The Scotsman triumphed over Yu Delu 10-6 in the fourth round that year, but declared his first retirement from snooker after a loss to Stephen Maguire in the quarter-finals. Robertson did commend the organisation of Judgement Day for its professionalism, suggesting that it provides a good warm-up for the main event. Neil Robertson opened up about his experience on Judgement Day (Image:) He added: "In fairness, they've actually done a great job, they've set it up like basically almost like a venue. I don't know if you've seen it? "It's set up open, like a main venue now so tables one and two at the qualifiers for the World Championships, you actually feel as though you are playing at a venue – obviously just without the live TV cameras." Article continues below By the time of the 2025 World Championship, Robertson had climbed back into the top 16 of the overall rankings, allowing him to bypass Judgement Day. However, the former world No. 1 was knocked out early by Chris Wakelin, who beat him 10-8 in the first round. Zhao Xintong triumphed over Mark Williams in the final, making him the first World Champion from China, while Robertson didn't make it past the second round of the major tournament for the fourth consecutive year.
The Sun
20-05-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
I was accidentally named after Ronnie O'Sullivan and even play snooker – but I prefer Stephen Hendry
RONNIE SULLIVAN will try to become a professional snooker player this month – and his dream is to face RONNIE O'SULLIVAN. Over the next week, the part-time cueist from South London will be at Leicester's Mattioli Arena, attempting to earn a two-year World Snooker Tour card. 3 Sullivan, 20, was not named after the seven-time world snooker champion and says his favourite players are Scotsman Stephen Hendry and Australian hero Neil Robertson. But should he qualify for the pro ranks – he has to win six matches in a row, all of which are the best of seven frames – then he would love to battle the Rocket, 49, on equal terms next season. And hopefully a clash would silence those on social media who reckon he is a CON ARTIST due to the surname similarities! Sullivan told SunSport: 'It's a complete coincidence. My dad only realised when I was born, a couple of days or weeks after he named me Ronnie, about the link. 'I've seen a picture of my mum in hospital with me, after I was born, and the snooker was on the TV in the background. 'I'm not sure what the tournament was. Ronnie could have been playing! 'My dad had two names to pick, Ronnie and Ozzy, which is my brother's name. Funnily enough I didn't start playing snooker until I was 12 years old. 'Ronnie is not my hero. I like Stephen Hendry, because of how much a winner he was, and Neil Robertson. 'I get a bit of attention for my name. I'd rather have attention for my playing abilities than that. It's swings and roundabouts. 'I've had a lot of people text me on Facebook over the years, saying: 'You're a scam, you're not Ronnie O'Sullivan, you're a fake account.' It never ends. 'It gets so boring. 'You have the same name as Ronnie but without the O.' Leave me alone. Let me get on with it. 'I hope I can play Ronnie before he retires. That would be unreal. It'd definitely put bums on seats. The referee would have to call us Ronnie 1 , Ronnie 2.' Sullivan – born in November 2004, the year that O'Sullivan won his second of seven Crucible crowns – has met the GOAT of potting before. But the pair spent more time talking about boxing than the intricacies of the sport they both play, albeit to different levels. He said: 'I've met Ronnie on a few occasions. We talked for a good half an hour or hour. Not about snooker once. 'We are similar in that we don't like to talk about the game. We like a break from it. 'We had a little bit of a laugh about our names but not a massive thing. We talked about boxing really.' 3 Sullivan studied sports and business at college and worked for JJ Antiques & House Clearance firm, clearing homes in Surrey and the South London area. But he is looking for a sponsorship deal for this year, which would help him fulfil his dream of potting balls. The amateur star, whose highest break is 145, faces fellow Englishman Jai Platts on Wednesday morning in round one of Event One of Q School. He said: 'I feel good. The last time I went there, I went for the experience. Since December, I've really got my s** together and practised full-time. Put the hours in. 'I had a few things off the table that weren't going okay. I had a little break but have had a fresh start. I feel like a new player. 'The hard work has paid off. I'm confident with my game. It would be great to be professional. 'That would be a massive monkey off my back. I've put so much work into it. I've had more downs than ups in the game. I know I'm good enough. 'I feel I can prove something to myself and go and do it. It would mean a lot. 'I have always wanted to play snooker. My dad said it would be a waste of talent if I didn't try to become professional. I hope I can play my best stuff at Q School.'
Wales Online
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Wales Online
'Certain heavy defeat' – Neil Robertson doesn't mince words after Ronnie O'Sullivan hammering
'Certain heavy defeat' – Neil Robertson doesn't mince words after Ronnie O'Sullivan hammering Ronnie O'Sullivan had the tip and ferrule on his cue changed overnight with his World Championship semi-final against Zhao Xintong evenly poised at 4-4 before suffering a heavy defeat Ronnie O'Sullivan is at a loss to explain his Crucible struggles (Image: PA ) Neil Robertson insists Ronnie O'Sullivan's decision to make significant changes to his cue mid-match at the World Championship was always going to lead to "certain defeat". The drastic modification, which saw him have both the tip and ferrule on his cue changed, came with his World Championship semi-final against Zhao Xintong locked at 4-4 after the first session. However, the changes seemed to backfire when the match resumed with O'Sullivan failing to win a single frame in the Friday morning session, resulting in a 12-4 deficit. Zhao went on to secure a 17-7 win, booking his place in the Crucible final and becoming only the second Chinese player to do so after Ding Junhui. After the first session, O'Sullivan sought out Chesworth Cues in Sheffield for an urgent retip and a switch from a titanium to a brass ferrule (the metal sleeve located at the end of the cue beneath the tip). The business confirmed O'Sullivan's visit and the work done on his cue in an Instagram post: "Well, we can't pull the wool over your eyes, yes it was Ronnie's cue. That late night express retip and changing his ferrule from titanium to brass, was for Ronnie O'Sullivan. Book your retip in today." Content cannot be displayed without consent Article continues below The decision to undertake such a severe alteration during a crucial match raised eyebrows across snooker. However, it was perhaps no surprise given his history of equipment issues, which included breaking his previous cue in anger and binning it as he pulled out the Championship League in January. Former Crucible champion Robertson has voiced his opinion on O'Sullivan's mid-match change, saying he should have been warned of the consequences. The Australian posted on X: "I hope who ever changed Ronnie's tip AND ferrule made it very clear to him that doing so would result in an almost certain heavy defeat before posting anything on social media. Switching from titanium to brass or vice versa mid match unless something was damage is crazy." Speaking after his Crucible exit, O'Sullivan said he was unsure whether the new cue was to blame. He said: "I don't even know if it was the cue, the ferrule or me. There were three things. Neil Robertson has weighed into the debate about O'Sullivan's cue (Image:) "I just don't even know where the white ball's going. I'm at a loss, to be honest with you. I don't even know what to say. Sometimes you've got to try something different, you know? It didn't feel great before so I tried to go back to the old brass ferrule. "I'm not making the cue as an excuse or anything like that but if I hadn't snapped my old cue maybe I'd have been able to give him a better game but really my performances have not been good enough." Article continues below The other semi-final is set for an exciting finale with Welsh legend Mark Williams leading world No. 1 Judd Trump 13-11 ahead of the final session on Saturday.
The Irish Sun
02-05-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
World Snooker Championship stars discuss SIX major rule changes to modernise sport including dress code
SNOOKER stars have discussed six huge rule changes to improve the game. Shaun Murphy, Neil Robertson, Mark Selby and Barry Hawkins, who have six Crucible titles between them, were asked for their thoughts on a range topics from shot clocks to fouls. 3 Shaun Murphy and Neil Robertson are both in favour of sweeping changes to snooker Credit: Rex 3 Mark Selby wanted limit on plays to stop frames going on for too long Credit: Getty 3 Barry Hawkins is happy with the game as it is Credit: Alamy The Magician has once again stood by that But Hawkins felt getting rid of them would be axing a "tactical" side of the game. The Hawk was also in favour of keeping the miss rule and not introducing a shot clock. READ MORE IN SNOOKER But Murphy wanted deliberate misses out of the sport, Selby wanted a limit on fouls and He explained to "That would speed the game up massively. It would be a massive win for snooker, whether the authorities would I don't know but it's a big change, I'd love to see." Murphy also wants sweeping changes and is Most read in Snooker CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS He said: "Matches going onto 12am or 1am in the morning is the biggest indicator we need a shot clock. "I'm not talking about a shootout style in every event, but we need some sort of time limit. "Players averages approaching 30 seconds and above. It's just boring. "Who wants to watch a player take 30 seconds to play a shot? It's too slow." Selby and Robertson agreed that it could prove too challenging to implement. It is a similar issue with toilet breaks with all four players agreeing that it is used as "gamesmanship" to "relieve pressure", but they were unsure how to stamp it out. Asked what else they would change, Robertson incredibly wanted a huge change to the dress code. He said: "Over the last six months I have got really addicted to golf, I have seen all the clothes line and footwear have progressed massively over the years and in snooker we should definitely do that. "It's not the most comfortable thing to wear. I can wear a suit, it doesn't bother me too much but a lot of other players are really uncomfortbale. "We're looking at targeting a young generation my son, for example, he is not looking at a snooker player and thinking, 'I want to wear a waistcoat and bow tie one day'. "We need to progressing with these things and not staying still. If you stay still you regress. "For the World Championship and Triple Crown events, keep the bow tie and waistcoat like Wimbledon do with white clothing but other events, we need to modernise massively."
