Media centre

Thursday 20 Nov 2014

On track for a bright future in Wales – Network Rail increases graduate places by 45% as investment in better railway continues

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

| Wales & Western

Network Rail is increasing its investment in the talent of the future by raising the number of places available on its graduate and work placement schemes by over 40% in locations across Britain, including Wales.

With a plan to spend £38bn on running, maintaining and improving Britain’s railways over the next five years, the company is looking to recruit 145 graduates – up from 100 last year – to join its 2015 graduate scheme and help build a bigger, better railway for Britain. Around a third of the places will be open to those with engineering degrees, with the company keen to attract people from a wide mix of academic backgrounds for the remainder.

As well as opportunities in engineering (civil, mechanical and electrical or electronic), graduates can apply for jobs in general management, finance, property, strategic planning, supply chain, business technology and project management, with positions available all over Britain.

A further 40 places are available on the company’s one-year work placement scheme. Open to second-year undergraduates, the scheme gives students the chance to obtain invaluable exposure to the workplace which will stand them in good stead as they apply for jobs on completion of their degrees.

Sian Lewis joined the operations and customer services graduate scheme in Cardiff after graduating from Cardiff University with a degree in history in 2007.

She said: “The year on the scheme gave me a wealth of experience in different areas – train punctuality, signalling and how we deal with bad weather as well as,time spent with maintenance out on track and with train operating companies.

“Since then, I have worked in project management in track renewals. Today, I am accountable for a £27m programme of enhancements to improve stations and make journeys faster and more reliable.

“As graduates we are actively encouraged to move around the business and get as much experience as possible. The variety really appeals to me – no two days are ever the same and you really feel like you are making a difference. You are given responsibility early on and are supported to grow and improve throughout your career.”

Alex Hinshelwood joined the engineering graduate scheme in 2007, having completed a degree in civil engineering at the University of Glamorgan, now the University of South Wales.

He said: “The Network Rail graduate scheme gave me the opportunity to learn on the job while giving me the formal training I needed to progress my journey to chartered engineer status.

"During the scheme, I spent time working across all parts of Network Rail, helping me become a well-rounded railway engineer and setting me up for my first permanent role as a drainage engineer. I now look after a multi-million pound portfolio of work to keep Wales’ railway in top condition so passengers can travel safely and reliably.

"The opportunities for progression for a driven and enthusiastic engineer within Network Rail are endless.”

Applications for next year’s schemes must be submitted by midday on Monday 29 December 2014.

Fiona Tabraham, senior resourcing partner at Network Rail, said: “Network Rail has £38bn to invest over the next five years so there’s never been a better time to get on board as we build the railway network of the future. Our graduates are given responsibility from day one, building up the core skills that they need to become future leaders of the business. Anyone interested in a career that makes a difference to people’s lives should join us on this journey.”

To further support the company’s work with undergraduates, Network Rail has launched a prize draw offering five lucky final year university students the chance to win a suite of opportunities – including one-to-one mentoring sessions with our future leaders and CV guidance sessions – all designed to help give them the best chance of securing a job when they go into the job market. We’re also offering some once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to go behind the scenes on Britain’s railway – details can be found at www.accessunlimitedquiz.co.uk/. “

 

Details of Network Rail’s graduate and work placement schemes can be found at: http://www.networkrail.co.uk/careers/schemes/ . Applications for next year’s schemes must be submitted by midday on Monday 29 December 2014.