Media centre

Thursday 20 Nov 2014

Opportunities at Network Rail for graduates in the South West

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Western

| Wales & Western

Network Rail is seeking applications from graduates in the South West for its graduate and work placement schemes. In its drive to invest in the talent of the future, the company has increased the number of available places on its graduate scheme by 45% this year.

With a plan to spend £38bn on running, maintaining and improving Britain’s railways over the next five years, Network Rail is looking to recruit 145 graduates from across the UK – 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 in the South West.

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.

Liam O’Shaughnessy is based in Swindon and joined the graduate scheme in 2013, having completed a degree in Philosophy and Politics at the University of York. He explained: “I applied for the General Management Scheme to experience as many different business areas as possible before fixing my career path. The scheme did not disappoint and I experienced the rail industry in many different guises, from working in station management, to working on a programme aimed at reducing the impact of suicides on the rail network. Throughout this time I was mentored and my skills were developed with a variety of formal training and learning on the job.

“I’m now working as a safety improvement specialist, helping to improve our regional safety performance and our employee and contractor health and wellbeing, as Network Rail strongly believes a healthy workforce is a safer workforce. My mentoring and training has continued and allowed me to advance within the business rapidly.

“The scheme gave me a real opportunity to learn whilst delivering for the organisation and to work out where my strengths and interests lie. I now have a wealth of knowledge and experience which will aid me in my future career.”

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.