RAIL WEEK: It’s full steam ahead for Myerscough apprentices

Photo: Ford & Stanley

The dedicated week of activity aims to address the skills shortage in rail-related roles and inspire a new generation of young people, to encourage them to consider careers in the industry.

Myerscough College has overcome the recruitment challenges faced by Covid-19 and currently boasts a large intake of Railway Engineering Technician apprentices.

The apprentices are employed within depots across the country, while continuing their learning journey with Myerscough.

They spend some time as residential learners at Myerscough College’s main campus at Bilsborrow, utilising the College's multi-million-pound engineering centre to learn the basic principles of engineering and rail engineering technician knowledge. The remainder at their apprenticeship continues at their depots with their host employers, getting hands-on experience and gaining crucial skills, knowledge and behaviours.

A unique selling point of the delivery model is also that the apprentices will also spend periods of time with the National Training Academy for Rail (NTAR) in Northampton in their state-of-the-art rail facility.

Myerscough College has a long and proven track record of delivering a range of engineering apprenticeships, supporting scores of apprentices with their training across the country. Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) remains a key driver and focus in terms of Myerscough apprenticeships and education provision, and the number of apprentices in this area is growing rapidly.

Myerscough College is proud to support the UK rail industry in its efforts to achieve an integrated approach to education, professional development and training through this apprenticeship programme.

Lee Price, Employer Services Manager at Myerscough College said: “With the current developments and expansion of the rail network in Britain, it’s important that we attract and train new engineers who can progress to be the professionals and managers of the future.

‘’We are really proud to work with Northern Trains, East Midlands Railway, CAF Rail and NTAR in the delivery of this exciting provision.

“It’s great to support another RAILWEEK to highlight the fantastic opportunities within the rail sector and its supply chain.”

One such example is the new railway engineering apprentices who have joined CAF Rail Services UK for their induction at the Neville Hill Depot in Leeds.

CAF Rail UK is invested in providing opportunities to young people and supporting the growth of engineering and technical skills. Investing in engineering talent and tomorrow’s engineers is crucial for the railway, with current skills gaps projected to increase.

CAF’s commitment to apprentices is supported by Ford & Stanley Group, CAF’s trusted recruitment partner, who managed the successful candidate attraction campaign and process, assisted with an assessment day and with the final selection.  The three successful apprentices were sourced from over 60 applicants.

The three-year Advanced Railway Engineering Technician Level 3 apprenticeship has begun with a residential first year at Myerscough College. That’s followed by two years on the Neville Hill Depot before the apprentices complete their training and join CAF as fully qualified Engineering Technicians.

Iain Taylor, Head of HR at CAF Rail Services UK, said: “We are delighted to welcome the apprentices and support their learning journey. It is paramount that companies in the rail industry develop the talent needed to serve tomorrow’s railway and apprenticeships are a fantastic way to engage young people and support their growth and development.”

For more information on apprenticeships at Myerscough College please contact the Employer Services Team on 01995 642255 or email employerenquires@myerscough.ac.uk