Network Rail and the charity “The Talent Foundry” have completed a pilot programme designed to inspire young people to pursue a career in the railway industry.

The programme, titled “Track to the Future”, aims to inspire young people to consider a career in the rail sector. Eighty pupils from four schools took part in the pilot programme: Lord Grey Academy in Bletchley, The Adeyfield Academy in Hemel Hempstead, King Edwards VI Handsworth Wood Girls’ Academy in Birmingham, and Harborne Academy in Birmingham.

The Talent Foundry is an independent education charity whose mission is to increase social mobility by helping young people from disadvantaged backgrounds discover what they are amazing at, develop valuable new employment skills, and take the first step into the world of work. Schools can find out if they are eligible for The Talent Foundry’s programmes by emailing [email protected]

The students gained an insight into working for Network Rail, focusing on either programme management or the technological side of the industry. Mentors from Network Rail supported the students through four highly interactive and engaging sessions that explored the rail industry. 21 members of Network Rail’s staff donated 116 hours of volunteering to support the sessions.

The programme helped students to develop key transferable skills, such as innovation and creativity, whilst also learning about key competencies, such as accountability, collaboration, and responding to challenging situations. Where possible, the students had two of their sessions at Network Rail’s Quadrant office in Milton Keynes or at Baskerville House in Birmingham, where they gained an insight into the workplace in action.

Lydia Fairman, Lead Capability and Development Manager from Network Rail said: “We think the pilot Track to the Future Programme was a great success and it was brilliant to receive such positive feedback from those who took part. The volunteers who worked on the programme were really excited to share their expertise and passion for the sector with the participating students.”

Cate Smith, Head of Programmes at The Talent Foundry said: “Everyone at The Talent Foundry was delighted to work with Network Rail on the pilot Track to the Future Programme. We know Network Rail are as passionate as we are about ensuring disadvantaged young people can access a range of opportunities to get them thinking about their future. I hope this programme inspired lots of students to consider a career in the rail sector.”

Quotes from participating students:

• “I feel this programme has really made me consider what I want to do in the future and actually realise there is a need for women from ethnic backgrounds to be represented at the top level of business.”
• “We were shown the executive room, where the directors would sit and discuss the projects and outcomes. One of the students said, ‘Save me a seat I’ll be back here later on.”
• “I rated the workshop as excellent because I learned and perfected a lot of skills that will help me in the future such as an increase in my confidence to speak in front of an audience.”
• “Now that I have completed the programme, I see Network Rail as a very open environment that is diverse in terms of people and work.”

Quotes from Network Rail volunteers:

• “A brilliant use of a morning. An opportunity to remember why we work here and what is really important.”
• “The Talent Foundry facilitator and Network Rail planning staff made this a thoroughly professional and very rewarding session.”
• “Fantastic idea for an event and a great opportunity for the teenagers to be exposed to Project Management as a career, explore a professional office and to gain relevant experience. Really rewarding speaking to the teens and to see so many of them interested in Project Management as a career.”
• “Keep up the good work! I am a big fan of what TTF are doing and we have needed this within our workplace for some time.”