Train operator London North Eastern Railway (LNER) is once more aiming to inspire tomorrow’s talent with its pioneering Tomorrow’s Talent online work experience programme.

Following the success of last year’s programme, it returns this year on Monday, 24th October to provide the next generation of rail industry employees with an introduction to the world of work.

The Tomorrow’s Talent programme demonstrates a wide variety of career opportunities that are available in the rail industry, and focuses on improving eight essential skills including problem-solving, creativity, listening, speaking, staying positive, aiming high, leadership and teamwork. Participants will complete several modules online on a range of of topics such as the increasing use of innovative technology and sustainability.

The programme will be delivered in partnership with Springpod, which is a specialist careers platform that enables young people to experience the world of work in order to make informed decisions about their futures.

So far, the programme has had a positive impact on over 300 young people to date, with 86% saying they would recommend it to a friend. Students were questioned before and after they had completed the programme and asked how confident they now felt about finding a job, and there was a 23% increase in students now saying they were very confident.

Tomorrow’s Talent is part of LNER’s Responsible Business Strategy, which is supporting aspiration in communities along the East Coast route. During 2022 and 2023 the strategy’s projects will benefit more than 11,000 children and young people.

Applications to take part in the programme are now open, and are invited from young people who live along the East Coast route and are aged between 14 and 18 in Years 10 to 13 in England or S3 to S6 in Scotland. The closing date for applications is Wednesday 19 October 2022. Further information about the programme and information on how to submit applications is available online at https://www.springpod.com/virtual-work-experience/lner-tomorrows-talent

One student who participated in the second programme is Jay, who was one of many who developed an interest in pursuing a career in the railways. He said: “Not only did I learn about LNER and the wider railway industry, I also developed a real passion for it. Every task pushed me to learn so much but was made easy by the quality information provided by the programme.”

David Horne, Managing Director at LNER, said: “We want to continue to do all that we can to support young people in developing their skills, regardless of where their career takes them.

“LNER’s Tomorrow’s Talent programme provides young people with a great opportunity to engage and hear from experts in a wide range of different roles, equipping them with important insight into the world of work as they begin to think about their future career journey.”