TRAINING & SKILLS
Routes into Rail: Changing perceptions
Rail leaders have called for a sector-wide approach to tackle key issues affecting the industry, such as outdated perceptions and a low-skill workforce. RTM’s David Stevenson reports.
L eadership in rail and the outdated
perceptions of the sector are two key topics that have to be challenged in the future, industry experts stated at a Routes into Rail event.
Gary Cooper, director of operations and urged the industry to grow and develop the leaders of the future.
body the Railway Industry Association, chairs the ‘Routes into Rail’ group, set up in February ‘Routes into Rail’ is all about promoting the industry to new entrants.
be invested in rail upgrades in the next seven years, but the challenge is to have the people on hand to deliver this.
Debunking myths
By 2019, rail will need 10,000 new recruits, workforce, but 60% to cope with growth in the
“But we have a problem with attracting young
34 | rail technology magazine Dec/Jan 15
Rail is about increasing the pool of talented candidates available for the GB rail industry. about facilitating and attracting people towards our industry.
“We want to promote a message that our industry is exciting, challenging and rewarding, and we want to portray the image of an industry where there is innovation, new technology and opportunity for people. We need to debunk the myth about the industry just being ‘steam trains’ and ‘men in orange overalls’.”
The initial focus of Routes into Rail will be on university and college students, particularly those doing engineering.
A promotional video showcasing the rail produced by Routes into Rail, introduced on chair of the Rail Research UK Association. This can be viewed at:
www.routesintorail.co.uk.
Although most of those whose careers the video highlights began
by studying engineering,
not all did. Mustafa Ansari, for instance, is an Network Rail, who manages 350 signallers Pancras International, studied law and German
at university. Asked ‘what is the most satisfying thing about your job?’, she says: “Achieving incredible things with great people as a team and helping people develop within their roles
contributing to improving the railway and helping to engage people within their roles.”
The Routes into Rail team has also created the Joint University Presentation Programme (JUPP), where young professionals visit universities and talk to undergraduates, encouraging them to consider the rail industry as a career.
the Young Rail Professionals (YRP), said: “With JUPP our aim is to visit 40 universities in the 2014-15 academic year, and we need to promote the industry as a whole with the common message to inspire and enthuse the next generation about the diverse opportunities available in rail – from engineering through to other jobs in the rail sector.”
About 80 people have already signed up as October, with representatives from Atkins and Wabtec Rail attending.
the perception of the rail industry. It can be
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