New industry-led programme creates direct route from education into employment and addresses critical rail engineering skills shortages
SWGR and Glasgow Kelvin College have joined forces to launch an ambitious new partnership designed to help secure the future of Scotland’s railway workforce and create meaningful career opportunities for the next generation of engineering and infrastructure professionals. The organisations have announced a strategic collaboration that will establish a new National Qualification (NQ) Level 5 Railway Engineering Programme, creating a direct pathway from education into employment for learners seeking careers within one of the UK’s most important industries.
The programme has been developed in response to growing demand for skilled professionals across railway engineering, telecommunications, digital railway systems, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and frontline rail operations. With major telecoms infrastructure investment, digital transformation and electrification projects driving demand across the sector, industry leaders have warned of an urgent need to attract and develop new talent.
Unlike traditional academic routes, the programme will combine classroom learning with practical industry experience through an innovative “Earn and Learn” model, providing students with contracted working hours alongside their studies and a clear route into long-term employment. SWGR will be working with VolkerRail, who will provide work placement opportunities for students. The initiative also carries significant social value benefits. Developed in Springburn, an area with a proud railway heritage, the programme has been specifically designed to create opportunities for local people whilst supporting economic growth, social mobility and greater access to high-quality technical careers.
SWGR, the UK’s largest independent provider of skilled workforce solutions to the rail industry, will play a central role in delivering industry experience, workforce development and employability support through its award-winning training and operational infrastructure.
Stuart Munro, Head of Delivery, Scotland of SWGR, said: “The railway industry is facing a very real skills challenge, and if we want to build the workforce of tomorrow, industry and education must work together in a far more meaningful way than has traditionally been the case. This partnership represents exactly that. It brings together the educational excellence of Glasgow Kelvin College and SWGR’s extensive experience in workforce development and skills delivery, with support from VolkerRail and its engineering expertise.
“Most importantly, it creates a genuine pathway into employment. Young people will not simply learn about the railway industry; they will experience it first-hand, develop practical skills, gain recognised qualifications and build careers within a sector that plays a vital role in the UK’s future.
“As a business that has proudly operated in Springburn for almost four decades, we are particularly pleased that this programme will help create opportunities within a community that has such strong historical connections to the railway industry. This is an investment in people, in skills and in the long-term future of our industry.”
The programme will combine academic learning delivered by Glasgow Kelvin College with practical railway experience provided by SWGR and VolkerRail. Students will gain exposure to live operational environments, railway engineering disciplines, telecommunications technologies and industry-recognised qualifications designed to meet the evolving needs of modern railway infrastructure.
Joanna Campbell, Principal and CEO at Glasgow Kelvin College, said: “At Glasgow Kelvin College, we are passionate about creating opportunities that transform lives and support the future needs of industry. This partnership represents a powerful example of what can be achieved when education and employers work together with a shared purpose. By combining high-quality learning with real-world industry experience, we are creating a pathway that will equip learners with the skills, confidence and opportunities they need to build successful careers in one of Scotland’s most important sectors.”
Kevin Doherty Head of Telecoms at VolkerRail, said: “The future success of the railway industry depends on our ability to attract, develop and retain talented people. Through this partnership, we are helping to support students, as they develop into the next generation of skilled railway professionals.”
Subject to performance and attendance, successful learners are expected to progress into trainee engineering roles, telecommunications technician positions, infrastructure maintenance careers and wider opportunities across the rail sector, providing a direct route into sustainable long-term employment. The partnership was formally launched at a joint event hosted by Glasgow Kelvin College, SWGR in June 2026, attended by senior leaders from all three organisations and invited stakeholders from across the education and infrastructure sectors.
