A state-of-the-art railway training facility in Doncaster is nearing completion, with Network Rail aiming to open its doors this summer. The site, formerly the National College for Advanced Transport and Infrastructure, is undergoing a significant transformation to become a vital hub for training railway workers from across the industry.
Network Rail acquired the Carolina Way building, located near Lakeside, in late 2024 and has since been developing plans to convert it into a premier training centre. The facility is expected to accommodate up to 1,000 rail workers annually, providing operational training, education, and professional development opportunities.
Laura Smith, Network Rail’s programme manager for the new training centre, said: “We are proud to be opening our new training facility in Doncaster, a city with huge railway heritage, and in a year when we are celebrating the 200th anniversary of the railway.
“The facility will allow us to provide top class training to current and future colleagues across the railway industry.”
City of Doncaster Council’s Mayor Ros Jones, said: “This is great news for the rail industry in offering further training facilities and a centre of excellence in Doncaster. To have such renowned rail leaders using this bespoke building as their training hub is great news and furthers our training and skills opportunities in the city.
“I am looking forward to visiting the site as it gets ready for its students over the coming months. This is sure to be a great partnership and I would like to thank everyone at the council and at Network Rail for making this happen.”
The completion of this training facility is expected to significantly boost the skills and expertise of the UK’s railway workforce, ensuring the industry remains robust and prepared for future challenges. The re-purposing of the site for post-16 education will also supply valuable opportunities to Doncaster residents.
