Network Rail

Network Rail is responsible for keeping everyone and everything moving. Running and maintaining tracks, signals, tunnels, bridges, viaducts, level crossings and stations, we’re delivering some of the largest engineering projects in Europe today – making us one of the biggest engineering companies in the UK. The programme includes exciting projects such as Thameslink, Crossrail, the redevelopment of King’s Cross and Birmingham New Street stations as well as a range of other projects to make the railway network bigger and better for Britain and our economy. Our team of engineers are second to none. From major architectural developments to simple overnight repairs, everything we do requires expertise and efficiency, with safety right at the heart of it.

Which areas are you focusing recruitment on over the next five years and why?

Overall train performance is now at an all-time high. To deliver an even better service for customers, we’ll be focusing recruitment resources on five key areas over the next five years:

Attracting more specialised engineers - Track Maintenance Engineers and Assistant Track Maintenance Engineers - in Scotland. This challenge arises due to the sheer size of the areas covered and a reduced pool of candidates with the right skill set.

• Improving our appeal to the shrinking number of electrical engineering graduates.
• Ensuring that our apprenticeship scheme stands out in a marketplace that’s growing bigger every day.
• Engaging with potential candidates even earlier through closer partnerships with schools.
• Giving our current young engineers an earlier taste of the full range of senior level responsibilities, together with better training and career progression opportunities.

How has EngineeringUK helped your understanding of the education and skills agenda in the UK?

EngineeringUK has been a huge help in improving our understanding of the education and skills agenda. It provides us with a fantastic opportunity to network, share best practice and air any concerns. We can learn from other people’s ideas and approaches and be confident that we’ll hear in advance about any developments on the horizon.