Network
rail@bauermedia.co.uk
TO underpin its prosperity and that of future projects, the rail industry demands a skilled workforce.
According to the report Engineering UK: The state of engineering, between 2019 and 2024 the UK economy required an estimated 124,000 engineers and technicians with core engineering skills.
A further 79,000 roles required a mixture of engineering knowledge and skills. But the report estimated a shortfall of between 37,000 and 59,000 workers, owing to shortages in the supply of talent coming through education.
Large infrastructure projects such as East West Rail, HS2 and the Transpennine Route Upgrade have highlighted the industry thirst for a continuous flow of technicians and engineers to make projects a reality.
Apprenticeships are now returning to the fore, fast-tracking many young careers into skilled industries. For some, they’re a means to rapidly change career with ‘hands-on’ experience while earning and learning. Not everything can be taught in a classroom.
National Apprenticeship Week on February 5-9 was an opportunity for companies to highlight new talent. And rail was no exception, with apprentices to be found across the many facets offered by the industry.
Among Network Rail’s many new apprentices are some working on the Midland Main Line upgrade.
Sam Parker works in its electrical and plant team, analysing electrical designs submitted by NR contractors against standards.
“There’s a lot to learn and so many things that relate to the railway that I’d not considered, but I’m enjoying the challenge,” says the 27-year-old, who has a PhD in physics.
Based at NR’s Trent House in Derby, Parker is one of five apprentices on the MML upgrade. All are on courses lasting between three and five years, studying towards NR-recognised qualifications.
Parker isn’t alone in having gone through further education. His colleague, Sam Basudev (22) explains: “The railway is such a different world to anything I’ve experienced before. I went to university and got my degree, but I wanted a career change. When I saw this apprenticeship, I applied straightaway.”
His apprenti
