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Thursday 30 Oct 2014

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

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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%.

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.

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."

Alex Waller joined the graduate scheme in 2013, having completed a Masters degree in Chemistry at the University of Birmingham. He explained: "I loved the idea of being involved in projects of such a scale and impact. Having no formal experience in project management or the rail industry I was worried that I would be out of my depth but I received a fantastic level of training to bring me up to speed.

"My first placement was in business improvement, which was a great introduction to some of the difficulties facing the industry and the processes being implemented to solve them. My second placement was in a delivery unit, getting involved with work on the track. I’m now managing a multimillion pound track renewals project, which is a daunting task but the support from the business has been fantastic. Since I joined, I haven’t looked back.

"Network Rail is so vast and diverse. There is a position for everyone and real opportunities for career progression. "

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: www.networkrail.co.uk/careers/schemes/ . Applications for next year’s schemes must be submitted by midday on Monday 29 December 2014.