Leaders from across Britain’s railway have launched a new industry-wide commitment to encourage more young people into rail careers, as employers look to address a growing skills gap ahead of the creation of Great British Railways (GBR).
The Rail Youth Promise, unveiled at a parliamentary event on 15 July, brings together Network Rail, DfT Operator (DFTO), train operators, supply chain companies and youth organisations behind a shared commitment to improve opportunities for 16 to 24-year-olds.
The initiative comes as the industry seeks to tackle the under-representation of young people in its workforce, with those aged 16 to 24 accounting for around 6% of rail employees, compared with 12% of the wider UK population.
Five commitments to attract new talent
Built around five core themes – Inspire, Hire, Learn, Grow and Connect – the Rail Youth Promise aims to increase awareness of careers in rail, improve access to employment opportunities, support skills development and help young people progress within the industry.
The charter also reflects closer collaboration across the sector ahead of the establishment of Great British Railways in 2027 and supports the Government’s wider Youth Guarantee, which aims to ensure every young person has the opportunity to earn or learn.
New pathways into rail
Several organisations have already introduced initiatives designed to attract younger recruits.
Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) has recruited six university students into part-time onboard supervisor (OBS) roles, allowing them to gain industry experience while continuing their studies.
South Western Railway is preparing to welcome a new intake of leadership and engineering apprentices in September, while Southeastern is developing work experience placements aimed at young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The launch also follows a significant legislative change that came into force on 30 June, reducing the minimum age for train drivers from 20 to 18, creating an earlier route into one of the railway’s most skilled professions.
Supporting future workforce needs
Speaking at the launch, Skills Minister Baroness Jacqui Smith 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.”
Preparing for Great British Railways
Paul Marshall, Chief Financial Officer at Network Rail, said the initiative was about demonstrating the long-term career opportunities available across the industry.
“The Rail Youth Promise is about showing young people that rail is an industry full of opportunity, purpose and long-term career potential,” he said.
“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 DfT Operator, added: “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.”
Ruth Busby OBE, People Director at GTR, said the operator’s student recruitment initiative demonstrated how employers could develop more flexible routes into the industry.
“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,” she said. “This is something that can easily be adapted to other areas of the business, as well as right across the industry.”
Sponsored by Rail Unites for Inclusion and GTR, the Rail Youth Promise was formally launched during a parliamentary reception on 15 July and is intended to provide a unified framework for attracting and retaining the next generation of rail professionals.
