Dedicated to helping the industry to address the skills shortage in rail-related roles and inspire a generation of young people, Rail Week 2017 (9-15 October) is already gaining momentum, with industry leaders including Rail Delivery Group, Transport for London, Great Western Railway and the National Skills Academy for Rail providing essential support and collaboration.

The dedicated week of activity organised by Young Rail Professionals (YRP) aims to bring the rail industry in all its guises closer to schools, teachers, career advisors and students through a series of events, visits and talks.

To officially launch this year’s activities, Rail Week are proud to collaborate with CrossCountry Trains and announce the launch of a first of its kind partnership between CrossCountry Trains, Tyne Valley Community Rail Partnership (CRP) and Newcastle College Rail Academy on 4th October at the college.

Working in Partnership – CrossCountry Trains, Tyne Valley Community Rail Partnerships and Newcastle College Rail Academy

With a proud legacy of rail innovation, the Tyne Valley Community Rail Partnership and CrossCountry Trains are becoming partners with Newcastle College Rail Academy. This is a UK first, that a Train Operating Company and a Community Rail Partnership, to work together with an academic college is such a partnership. The partnership will be provide all students at Newcastle College Rail Academy a genuine 360 degree view of the rail industry.

The partnership supports YRP and Rail Week in the quest to inspire young people to consider a career in rail throughout the year by providing CrossCountry Trains employees the opportunity to speak to the students on topics such as impact of overruns; safety and customer service. Tyne Valley will offer a unique opportunity to allow students to volunteer their time to support Tyne Valley CRP on station enhancement projects and even developing new Science Technology Engineering and Maths (STEM) resources for local schools in the North East.

Other confirmed events during Rail Week include; a visit to the GWR Reading Train Care Depot; the largest ever rail career “High” Speed Networking event at the notable Institute of Civil Engineers building which will welcome up to 100 pairs of young professionals and key stage 3 students; the opportunity to see state-of-the-art trains close up with a walk underneath a train in the maintenance pit, sit in a driver’s cab, watch a bogie removal demonstration, and have go in a simulator hosted by Siemens at the Three Bridges maintenance facility; a tour of Freightliner terminal at Basford Hall, Crewe and the opportunity to see what goes on behind the scenes in railway signalling engineering with tours of Siemens Rail Automation Site where students will be invited to take part in interactive engineering challenges. Visit the full events list on our website to find out more.

May-Ann Lew, Rail Week project lead, Young Rail Professionals and Consultant at SNC-Lavalin Rail & Transit: “Rail Week is our opportunity to showcase the range of different careers and skills in our sector and encourage people from all backgrounds to join rail. There are so many exciting and innovative rail projects coming to fruition and it is essential we attract young people to ensure they are delivered.

It is important to note that whilst Rail Week provides a focused week of activities and events where companies across the sector collaborate and provide initiatives aimed at encouraging young people to consider a career in the rail sector YRP and its Ambassadors work tirelessly all year round to deliver a series of outreach activities to inspire and encourage young people to consider a career in the rail industry. Join YRP and other organisations across the rail industry and be part of this amazing initiative today.