Avanti West Coast and Network Rail are working together to give young people career opportunities and give them work experience.

Warrington Bank Quay station’s Station Manager and Customer Service Assistants have made a video of the staff giving an insight into the roles they do. This is part of a pilot virtual work experience programme by Network Rail called ‘Ready 4 Rail’

The virtual programme was made by Network Rail and is designed to provide different trades work that has been cancelled due to Covid-19. This will prepare the young people for future careers and academic choices that they can take.

Gareth Williams, Head of Sustainability at Avanti West Coast, said: “We want to connect young people to opportunity, so we’re proud to have played our part in Network Rail’s trial of its Ready 4 Rail programme – ensuring young people don’t miss out on gaining an insight into the opportunities available within the industry. It has been great to showcase what Avanti West Coast is about, and we hope our session will help to attract new and emerging talent in the communities we serve.”

Lee Braham, Avanti West Coast Station Manager at Warrington Bank Quay, said: “Helping others is a rewarding experience and by supporting this programme we hope to make a difference in our local community and inspire the next generation of potential railway workers. I hope our short video will go a long way in helping students who want to know more about starting a career on the railway.”

James Richards, Engineering Capability Manager at Network Rail, said: “We know how important work experience is to help prepare students for the career and academic choices, which is why we’ve worked with industry partners to develop a virtual approach to work experience with our ‘Ready 4 Rail’ programme. Trialling this new approach has enabled us to bring to life the wider opportunities in the rail industry – highlighting the many partners involved in the railway and the vital work they deliver. I hope that Ready 4 Rail will have inspired the students to explore the industry as a potential employer and that they had fun, developed their skills and feel well-equipped to make choices for their future.”

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