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Tuesday 8 Nov 2016

Network Rail graduate aims to inspire young engineers during Tomorrow’s Engineers Week

Region & Route:

| Southern: Wessex

| Southern

Shyam Patel, a project manager at Network Rail, is calling on young people to consider a career in the railway as Network Rail marks Tomorrow’s Engineers Week 2016 (7-11 November 2016), a national week designed to shine a spotlight on engineers and engineering careers.

The 24-year old from London decided he wanted to pursue a career in the railway while studying construction management at Aston University in Birmingham, and is now part of the team delivering the £800 million Waterloo & South West Upgrade which will boost capacity at Waterloo by 30%.

Shyam said: “I saw the enormous upgrades taking place at Birmingham New Street station and knew that I wanted to be a part of something that big. I successfully applied to the project management graduate scheme at Network Rail, and after a one-year scheme in which I worked on two placements, I began working on the Waterloo & South West Upgrade.

“Working on a project that will benefit millions of people is extremely rewarding, and I’d highly recommend Network Rail to anyone. It’s a really exciting time to be working on the railways because we’re in the midst of transforming the railway so it is fit for the 21^st century, and all the demands that entails. It’s a lot of responsibility but I think that’s one of the best things about it.”

Becky Lumlock, route managing director at Network Rail said: “Network Rail is in the middle of the largest investment in the railways since the Victorian era, and with passenger numbers growing, there is a wealth of opportunities available to graduates like Shyam.

“In order to deliver our Railway Upgrade Plan, we need more people like Shyam who can help us to create a bigger and better railway. The opportunities are world-class, so we want to use Tomorrow’s Engineers Week to inspire as many young people as possible to consider how they can reach their potential through careers on the railway.”

Network Rail offers a wide range of graduate opportunities, including engineering, project management, finance, human resources and general management.

Shyam added: “There’s so many opportunities to build your career, with training courses, qualifications and openings to move around the business, but I’ve also made some great friends here as well.”

For full details on the opportunities available, visit networkrail.co.uk/graduates

ENDS