INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION OF RAILWAY ENGINEERS

Thursday 8 Nov 2007

INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION OF RAILWAY ENGINEERS

Region & Route:: | Wales & Western: Wales & Borders; | Southern: Wessex; | Wales & Western; | Southern

School children were encouraged to explore the world of engineering at an exhibition hosted by Network Rail earlier this week. The Railway Engineering Day aims to encourage school leavers to consider a career in railway engineering. The event featured an array of interactive exhibitions, competitions and games including giant jenga designed to challenge pupils to tackle tasks from an engineering perspective. Under the guidance of qualified engineers, the pupils were also given an opportunity to control a mini-excavator similar to the type used on the railway. Network Rail Programme Director Neil Thompson commented: “The day was a great success and one that we now aim to repeat on an annual basis. “It gives Network Rail and our suppliers the opportunity to capture the imagination of young people at a stage when they are making important decisions about their future and introduce them to the exciting and various careers available on Britain’s railway.” Schools from across Wiltshire were invited to the event held at the Swindon Steam Museum. The 14–16 year olds also had the opportunity to visit the museum free of charge to learn about the history of the railway.

Notes to editors

The exhibition was held at Swindon Steam Museum on Tuesday 6 November 2007 The exhibition also included a number of engineering consultants and contractors working across the South and West. For information about Network Rail’s Apprenticeship Scheme open to all school leavers with the required qualifications see http://www.everydaybrilliance.co.uk/

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We own, operate and develop Britain's railway infrastructure; that's 20,000 miles of track, 30,000 bridges, tunnels and viaducts and the thousands of signals, level crossings and stations. We run 20 of the UK's largest stations while all the others, over 2,500, are run by the country's train operating companies.

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