Network Rail and West Midlands Railway have launched a new partnership with South & City College Birmingham to help address the rail industry’s future engineering skills requirements and create clearer pathways into railway careers.
The initiative will support approximately 55 students studying Level 1 and Level 2 engineering qualifications, providing practical industry insights alongside their existing academic and technical training.
By connecting students directly with railway professionals, the partnership aims to improve understanding of the opportunities available across the sector and prepare young people for future apprenticeships and employment.
Bringing railway experience into the classroom
The programme will combine engineering education with career development support, including CV writing, interview coaching and opportunities to engage with experienced railway employees.
Facilitated by Birmingham Northfield MP Laurence Turner, the partnership was formally launched at an event bringing together students, teaching staff and representatives from the rail industry.
Students heard from former Network Rail apprentices Dan Taylor and Adam Johnson, who have progressed into permanent roles at Network Rail’s Sandwell & Dudley Delivery Unit.
Adam Johnson, now a Section Manager for Signals and Telecoms, said: “The railway has been a great place for me to learn new things and build my career. I work with great people and can’t wait to continue developing personally and professionally in this exciting industry. I would recommend working on the railway to anyone who is interested.”
The involvement of former apprentices is intended to demonstrate how vocational qualifications and industry training can lead to long-term careers in railway engineering.
Strengthening the West Midlands rail skills pipeline
The partnership comes as the railway continues to focus on attracting and developing the technical workforce required to maintain existing infrastructure and support future modernisation.
For employers, establishing stronger relationships with colleges offers an opportunity to engage prospective engineers earlier in their education and improve awareness of the skills needed across different railway disciplines.
Denise Wetton, Integrated Managing Director for GBR West Midlands, said: “I’m really passionate about bringing the next generation of engineers into the railway and making sure we create clear pathways for local people to build great careers in our industry.
“Working with key local partners like South & City College Birmingham gives us a real opportunity to support jobs and skills in the West Midlands, while building a railway workforce that better reflects the communities we serve.
“I was genuinely impressed by the students and the insightful questions they asked. Their enthusiasm for engineering really came through, and it made me even more excited about what this partnership can achieve.”
Creating clearer routes into employment
The collaboration will complement the college’s existing engineering curriculum rather than replace established qualifications, providing students with additional industry exposure and professional development opportunities.
Mike Hopkins MBE, Principal and CEO at South & City College Birmingham, said: “We are excited to enter this partnership to help our students prepare for their careers. We have some fantastic future engineers in our classrooms and workshops, and this opportunity will help them develop and grow so they are better prepared and ready for their next steps into the world of work.
“The launch marks the start of what will be an ongoing partnership between the college and the rail industry, bringing industry experience and insight into students’ learning and helping create clearer pathways into engineering apprenticeships and future careers.
“The partnership will continue to complement the college’s existing engineering courses, giving students opportunities to learn more about the railway, hear directly from people working in the industry and develop the wider skills and confidence that will help them take their next steps.”
The initiative establishes an ongoing relationship between education providers and railway employers, with the potential to strengthen local recruitment and help young people make informed decisions about engineering careers.
While the partnership does not guarantee apprenticeship placements, it provides a practical route for students to develop their knowledge, confidence and employability skills before entering the workforce.
