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Tomorrow’s Engineers Week

It’s Tomorrow’s Engineers Week, encouraging young people to pursue studies in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).

Watch this film to hear from some of our people why engineering is so exciting (filmed pre-covid):

Tara Scott, a route infrastructure engineer, said now is a great time to get involved in engineering. She said: “Not only the innovation in research and development… Not only do you get to create your ideas, you’ll probably be able to see them put into track. If you join engineering now, you’ll get to see that innovation.”

Helen Warnock, an infrastructure maintenance depot manager in Kent, highlights the “sheer scale and opportunity” on the railway.

She said: “We’ve moved so far ahead with things like safety and the mechanics of how we do things. The opportunities to develop are huge, there are more schemes coming out onto the railway, whether you want to be involved in the digital side of things or mechanical side of things in renewals. It’s mind-blowing how much opportunity there is out there for everyone.”

Tara Scott, route engineer, smiling whilst standing in a Network Rail library
Tara Scott says “your passion can come out” in a career on the railway

Inspiring more girls and women to explore STEM is crucial to the future of the railway

The UK requires 124,000 engineers and technicians with core engineering skills across the economy each year up to 2024, according to a report, Engineering UK: The state of engineering. There is an additional requirement for 79,000 related roles, requiring a mixed application of engineering knowledge and skill alongside other skill sets.

However, the report anticipates a shortfall of between 37,000 and 59,000 due to the supply of talent coming through education.

Entry level career opportunities

Our apprenticeships programme gives newcomers three career-advancing years that offer far more than an education. Find out about earning while you learn, qualifications and becoming part of the next generation of engineers.

Emily Pollard, an asset engineer
Emily Pollard, an asset engineer, was one of our graduates and today says: “I absolutely love it.”

Our standout graduate and placement schemes provide boundless opportunities.

We provide a strong support network of previous graduates, mentors and scheme managers to help to create an environment for you to thrive and grow. 

Read everything you need to know about our graduate scheme, undergraduate placements and the application process here.

Our huge and vital operational function delivers the services that ensure safe performance of the railway, including managing the systems and processes that keep the rail network working.

Their work encompasses:

  • Signalling operators in our regional Rail Operating Centres
  • Mobile operations managers and incident response teams that help reopen any part of the network that’s blocked
  • Level crossing managers and station customer service teams
  • Infrastructure maintenance.

Find out about 20 by 20 – our aim to increase the proportion of our female workforce to 20 per cent by 2020.

Early engagement

We’re always working to excite future engineers about the railway. Our new Awesome Railways resources for schools will teach more young people about careers on the network.

The Awesome Railways leaflet and animation tells children why railways are vital to Britain and why science, technology and maths (STEM) are so important to their development:

Find out more:

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