Media centre

Wednesday 15 Jul 2026

Rail industry launches Rail Youth Promise to support the next generation of railway talent

Region & Route:

National

• New charter will help more young people access, develop and progress in rail careers 
• Supported by leaders across track and train ahead of the creation of Great British Railways (GBR) to build a future-ready workforce 
• Launch event highlighted new opportunities for 16-24 year-olds such as the lowering of train driver entry age and student recruitment programmes 

Leaders from across Britain’s railway came together in Parliament today (15 July) to launch the Rail Youth Promise – a new industry-wide commitment to help more 16 to 24 year-olds access rewarding careers in the rail sector. 

Network Rail, DFTO, train operators, supply chain businesses and youth organisations committed to address the under representation of young people in the rail workforce – with only around 6% of the industry workforce being young people compared to 12% of the UK population as a whole. 

The cross-industry charter builds on new initiatives to attract and retain young people in the industry, and provides a unified vision as the industry works closer together ahead of the formation of GBR in 2027.  

In a rail industry first, GTR has recruited six students to fulfil part-time on-board supervisor (OBS) roles, enabling them to study whilst getting their feet onto the career ladder. South Western Railway (SWR) will welcome their latest cohort of leadership and engineering apprentices in September, and Southeastern will soon launch work experience places for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.  

The law change to reduce the train driver entry age from 20 to 18 came into force on 30 June and represents another new pathway into a skilled profession.  

Baroness Jacqui Smith, Minister for Skills, speaking at today's event 

Baroness Jacqui Smith, Minister for Skills, said: “The rail industry is full of skilled careers, and the Rail Youth Promise is a clear signal that the industry is serious about making those opportunities available to every young person. By lowering the minimum age for train drivers from 20 to 18, young people can access these jobs earlier than ever before, as we build the workforce our railways need for the future. This is exactly the kind of bold, industry-led action that, alongside our £2.5 billion youth employment support package, will ensure no young person is left behind." 

Ruth Busby OBE, People Director of GTR said: “By connecting people to jobs, education and leisure, we strengthen the communities we serve and contribute to both local and national economic growth. We’re proud to be leading the industry with a completely new way to recruit students for OBS roles, working with two key universities on our patch. This is something that can easily be adapted to other areas of the business, as well as right across the industry.”  

Paul Marshall, Network Rail's Chief Financial Officer, said: “The Rail Youth Promise is about showing young people that rail is an industry full of opportunity, purpose and long-term career potential. At Network Rail, we’re proud to support this commitment as we look ahead to Great British Railways, working together across track and train to create clearer routes into the industry and inspire the next generation of talent our railway needs.”  

Alex Hynes, Chief Executive of DFTO said: “It’s vital that we continue to attract young people to the railway to ensure that we can deliver a sustainable customer-focused and better railway for everyone in Britain. The Rail Youth Promise is a significant step towards achieving this.”   

The Rail Youth Promise is sponsored by Rail Unites for Inclusion and GTR and was formally launched at a parliamentary reception on 15 July.  

Built around five commitments - Inspire, Hire, Learn, Grow and Connect - the promise aims to raise awareness of railway careers, create accessible routes into employment, support skills development, encourage progression and reduce the barriers to opportunity.  

The promise reflects the rail industry’s support for the Government’s Youth Guarantee, which pledges to give every young person the chance to earn or learn and reverse the rising numbers of young people not in education, employment, or training (NEET).