Southeastern Railway has taken a significant step in its ambition to build a modern, inclusive, and highly skilled workforce with the official opening of its new careers and skills hub in Ashford. Rail Minister Lord Hendy joined colleagues on Friday, 11th July, to celebrate the launch of the facility.
The new centre, named Connect 38, is conveniently located a short walk from Ashford International railway station. It brings together recruitment, digital learning, and professional development under one roof, fostering a dynamic environment for both new recruits and existing colleagues to advance their careers within the railway sector.
Demand to join Southeastern Railway has seen exceptional growth, with over 30,000 job applications received in the last year alone, a substantial increase compared to just over 14,000 in the preceding year. Connect 38 represents a significant investment in the company’s workforce, designed to more than double its capacity for recruitment and training, thus nurturing the next generation of rail talent.
The formal opening coincides with Southeastern being ranked 24th in the prestigious ‘Sunday Times Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers’ for 2025. This marks a remarkable rise of 34 places from 2024 and positions Southeastern as the highest-placed transport or rail company on the list.
The centre will support hundreds of apprentices across various roles, from train drivers and engineers to customer service and digital specialists. It will also offer targeted pathways for school leavers, veterans, and career-changers, directly contributing to the Government’s skills agenda.
Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy said: “Under public ownership, South Eastern Railway is making real changes that not only improve the lives of passengers but staff and local communities too. This is exactly what we want to see operators doing, offering skills and training to ensure their workforce is open to everyone, from school-leavers to career-changers to veterans. Through this investment, we will see more and more skilled, rewarding careers in the rail industry open up as Connect 38 breaks down barriers to opportunity, drives economic growth and supports the Government’s Plan for Change.”
Steve White, Managing Director, South Eastern Railway, said: “The railway does more than connect people and places. It unlocks opportunity, supports housing, enables social mobility and helps communities thrive. What we do matters! In the last year alone, we have seen a huge increase in interest from people wanting to build a career with us with over 30,000 applicants. We are also committed to developing our own people. This new facility, located at the heart of our network, demonstrates that our new integrated railway will invest in our people, as well as our infrastructure. Whether someone is joining us for the first time, retraining, or progressing in their career, this centre will give them the skills and support they need to succeed and to support our customers.”
Neil Robertson, Chief Executive, The National Skills Academy for Rail (NSAR), added: “Southeastern were one of the first operators to embrace apprenticeships and have always taken training very seriously. This is an exciting new opportunity. Knowing them as we do, we expect to see strong social value created alongside the development of new skills. With a wide range of jobs available across the rail industry, initiatives like this help to strengthen routes into rail and ensure the sector attracts the talent it needs for the future.”
Southeastern Railway brings together the publicly owned train operator Southeastern and infrastructure provider, Network Rail Kent Route, under a single leadership team.
More than just a careers and skills hub, Connect 38 also serves as a tribute to the individuals who have shaped the railway’s past and present. Rooms within the facility have been named after former colleagues and historic figures who made a lasting impact on the railway, including pioneers such as Barbara Ann Denny, the network’s first female train driver (1978), and Asquith Xavier, a trailblazing Black conductor and campaigner for racial equality in British transport.
Connect 38 directly supports the Government’s skills agenda, offering comprehensive career guidance, training facilities, digital learning resources, and apprenticeships across a wide range of roles. These include train drivers, engineers, and customer service teams, alongside a dedicated digital media room for colleagues to record professional quality videos.
Southeastern Railway proudly supports over 500 apprentices across its business and has previously been awarded Gold Accreditation by Investors in People for its approach to People, Wellbeing, and Apprenticeships.
Notes to editors:
A number of the rooms at Connect 38 are named after former employees or important figures in the history of the railway. The names reflect Southeastern Railway’s heritage, values, and the incredible people who have shaped its legacy:
- Williams (training room): Named in honour of Ian Williams, who trained over a thousand Southeastern staff before retiring early due to ill health.
- Persaud (driver testing room – recruitment): Named after Harry Persaud, who dedicated 30 years to the Recruitment Team, helping to shape the careers of countless colleagues.
- Barbara Ann Denny: The first female train driver on the Southeastern network (1978).
- Verena Holmes: A pioneering female engineer and STEM advocate.
- Asquith Xavier: A trailblazing Black conductor and campaigner for racial equality in British transport.
- Murphy Room: Named after Michael ‘Spud’ Murphy, a much-loved station master and signalman at East Farleigh, known for his dedication to customers before the rise of technology and automation.
