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Monday 10 Mar 2025

Network Rail and Perth High School pupils explore future careers during Scottish Apprenticeship Week

Region & Route:

Scotland’s Railway: Scotland

To celebrate Scottish Apprenticeship Week, Network Rail teamed up with Perth High School to deliver a workshop aimed at inspiring students to consider a career in the railway industry.

S4, S5, and S6 pupils had the unique opportunity to meet Ross Moran, route director, and Clare Farrell, route control manager at Network Rail - both of whom are former Perth High pupils.

They shared their career journeys and discussed the wide range of apprenticeship opportunities available within Network Rail, offering students a first-hand look at the diverse and rewarding careers on Scotland’s Railway.

Network Rail owns, operates, maintains, and develops the railway infrastructure in Scotland, England and Wales. In Scotland, the organisation is currently recruiting 38 apprentices, including roles in Perth.

As route director, Ross is responsible for the day-to-day running of the rail network in Scotland, including overseeing operations, maintenance and performance.

Clare in her role as route control manager, is part of a team that makes sure train services run safely and reliably for passengers, while responding to incidents such as track faults, bridge strikes and extreme weather events that can cause disruption.

Scottish Apprenticeship Week, which took place from 3 to 7 March, is a nationwide initiative that highlights how apprenticeships play a vital role in unlocking economic opportunities and equipping employers with the skilled workforce they need for the future.

Speaking after the event, Ross Moran said: "It was a pleasure to return to my old school and show students how an apprenticeship can be a first step on a fast-track career with Scotland’s Railway. With unlimited opportunities to grow across one of the UK’s largest organisations, apprenticeships provide a dynamic pathway for young people to develop their skills and carve out a successful future in the industry.

“We are always looking for the next generation of talent, and it was fantastic to see so many students engaged and excited about what’s possible."

Clare Farrell added: “With over 400 different roles available at Network Rail - spanning engineering, finance, business, IT, and more - there are fantastic opportunities for young people from all backgrounds to build a successful career on the railway. It was an honour to return to Perth High and hopefully inspire students to explore their options.”

Mary Campbell, a careers advisor at Perth High School representing Skills Development Scotland, praised the event. She said: “It was fantastic to hear about the breadth of apprenticeship opportunities at Network Rail. The session provided valuable insights into the different pathways into engineering, construction, and commercial roles within the railway industry.”

S5 pupil Seamus Scott shared his enthusiasm, adding: “Growing up near the line between Perth and Dundee sparked my interest in the railway. Hearing from the Network Rail team about their career journeys and apprenticeship opportunities was really inspiring.”

The event demonstrated the importance of connecting young people with industry leaders, showcasing the exciting career possibilities available within Scotland’s Railway.

Those interested in pursuing a career in the railway can visit Network Rail’s dedicated early careers page: https://www.earlycareers.networkrail.co.uk/programme/apprenticeships/.