NSAR’s Post

Here's just FIVE reasons why we believe apprentices are the future of the rail industry 👇 🔹 Every £1 spent on rail skills training results in a £3 return (National Skills Academy for Rail) 🔹 Apprentices help address the industry's skills shortage and ageing workforce, welcoming a new generation to a career in rail 🔹 Apprentices who're new to the industry can introduce new ideas and perspectives, futureproofing your business 🔹 Those already employed by you can also become an apprentice, providing cost effective training for your organisation 🔹 Hiring apprentices can introduce much needed diversity into the workforce and the industry as a whole If you DON'T have apprentices as part of your growth and recruitment strategy... why not? As custodians of this sector, we need to do whatever we can to encourage even more apprentices into a career in rail! 🦺 #apprentices #rail #railindustry

"The rail industry now needs about 5,000 apprentices per annum, or 2% of the workforce – effectively doubling current average levels." The industry is currently benefiting from an unprecedented influx of government investment aimed at delivering new and upgraded infrastructure. It is currently grappling with significant skills gaps and shortages in its workforce, a situation that is projected to worsen unless proactive measures are taken to attract and cultivate fresh talent into the rail sector. To address this challenge, there is a pressing need to inspire and engage a new generation of individuals to pursue careers in rail, while also focusing on upskilling and reskilling the existing workforce. Analysis conducted by NSAR showed that the top 10 skills gaps within the industry necessitate the recruitment of an additional 153,000 individuals between 2023 and 2030. A considerable number of these vacancies will need to be filled at levels 2, 3, and 4, which are often best suited for apprenticeships. Six years ago, the rail sector offered a limited number of apprenticeships, approximately 750 annually. Despite the availability of apprenticeship levies to rail employers, the uptake and utilisation of apprenticeships have remained low compared to other industries. However, concerted efforts have been made within the industry to ramp up apprenticeship opportunities, resulting in positive outcomes and increased participation. Investing in training such as apprenticeships will be a critical way to plug the skills gap. Evidence from NSAR showcased that £1 spent on training on rail skills in the UK results in a £3 return on that investment. Investing in skills can also make a huge difference on an individual level as it gives people from all backgrounds the chance to progress in their careers. #Railindustry #Railrecruitment #Railapprenticeships

Nick Bell is currently placed with Morgan Sindall Infrastructure and is looking forward to learning more about project life cycles from passionate rail people. PlanBEE Rail is a pioneering apprenticeship to address skills shortages and give young people the chance to launch their careers in the rail industry. NSAR has joined forces with The Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU), Gateshead College, Alstom, AmcoGiffen, Amey, Balfour Beatty plc, BAM UK & Ireland, Keltbray, Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, Murphy, SYSTRA, and VolkerRail Ltd. #PlanBEERail #Rail #Apprenticeships

Have you budgeted for training this summer? 📝    With us now being 6 months into the year, have you taken the opportunity yet to plan how you look to grow your or your company's engineer's knowledge? 🧠    Broadening your skillset as a rail engineer can open multiple doors in our industry as rail continues to grow.    NSAR reported that the modernisation needed means approximately 80% of the industry will require training over the next two decades.    200,000 workers will need new digital skills by 2030 – 110,000 need upskilling, 80,000 need reskilling and 10,000 new apprenticeships will need to be created and resourced.    Broaden your skillset by seeing what courses we offer on our website.    #rail #railuk #railways #development #growth #railengineer 

Racheal Ngoka is currently placed with Network Rail as part of the Northern Powerhouse Project and is excited about the many opportunities she will get by doing a PlanBEE Rail apprenticeship. PlanBEE Rail is a pioneering apprenticeship to address skills shortages and give young people the chance to launch their careers in the rail industry. NSAR has joined forces with The Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU), Gateshead College, Alstom, AmcoGiffen, Amey, Balfour Beatty plc, BAM Advies & Engineering, Keltbray, Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, Murphy, SYSTRA, and VolkerRail Ltd. #PlanBEERail #rail #apprenticeships

The recent independent report published by the Department for Transport (DfT) provides a comprehensive analysis of the workforce within the UK's transport sector. The findings of the report emphasize a significant opportunity to increase the number of apprenticeships in this industry, as a measure to address the anticipated levels of retirement. By expanding apprenticeship programs, the transport sector can ensure a steady influx of new talent, thereby maintaining operational efficiency and continuity in the face of an aging workforce. This strategic approach not only supports workforce sustainability but also offers young individuals valuable career pathways in the transport industry. Click to read more...

At Deploy Recruitment Group, we believe in the constant pursuit of progress. One such area we're passionate about is the UK Rail Industry. While the industry has achieved many milestones, the skills shortage remains a concerning issue. In 2015, the government launched 30,000 new apprenticeships to train the transport workers of the future. However, as the workload swelled, the need for skilled workers continued to escalate. With 4.7 million train journeys made each day in Great Britain, the demand for engineers adept in rolling stock maintenance is at an all-time high. Rolling stock, or railway vehicles, presents a sterling opportunity for those with transferable skills to forge a successful career in railway technology. Key transferable skills sought in this rapidly growing industry include engineering qualifications, flexibility in work hours and location, experience in fault-finding, and adaptability to change. We see this as an opportunity, a chance to build a stronger, more resilient Rail Industry. At Deploy, we're dedicated to sourcing and placing individuals with these transferable skills to answer the call of the Rail Industry. However, we want to know your thoughts. Do you think enough progress has been made in the UK Rail Industry to bridge the skills gap? And how can we accelerate this progress further? #deployrecruit #railuk #apprenticeships #engineers

Why Should You Consider Manpower’s Apprenticeship Solutions? Simple, Manpower covers all training and assessment costs – this is provided initially FREE OF CHARGE for you. What is the FJAA Register? The FJAA was launched by the Government in 2022 to replace the previous Apprentice Training Agency (ATA) scheme. The FJAA register ensures that providers of apprenticeship management programmes adhere to strict codes of conduct and performance criteria to ensure the highest experience for the apprentice and for the host employer. Tapping into young talent is key for many organization's future-proofing strategies, but many don't have the capacity, experience, or appetite to manage the apprentices and all the HR obligations, and that's where we can help you. Manpower has been accepted onto the Register to deliver our solutions nationally; whether you have one site or 100, we can design a bespoke program and deliver a consistent experience to all participants. Get in touch now to find out more. #apprentices #FJAA #energyandutilities #contactcentre #customerservice

Struggling to find skilled workers? 🏗️ Many UK construction companies are in the same boat. The skills shortage is a big challenge, but innovative solutions are on the rise. Here are some ways firms are turning things around: ✅ Creating strong apprenticeship programmes ✅ Offering continuous learning opportunities ✅ Partnering with schools and colleges to inspire the next generation These steps not only bring in fresh talent but also build a committed workforce ready for the future. What strategies have you seen make a difference? Share your thoughts! #Construction #SkillsShortage #UKIndustry

👏 A big thank you to everyone who joined our webinar on the impact of the General Election and Autumn Budget on skills and rail! 👏 We enjoyed a lively and productive discussion on the major skills and rail issues emerging under the new government. Key takeaways: 💡 Skills policy: Exciting potential for change, with initial government announcements pointing in the right direction. However, more clarity is needed on the new Skills England body and Apprenticeship Levy reforms. 💡Budget outlook: Positive signs with increased infrastructure investment and confirmation of key projects. However, a more comprehensive, long-term rail investment plan is needed. 💡Social value of rail skills: A crucial factor in the new political landscape. Special thanks to our expert panel: 👤 Clive Berrington, Group Director, Railway Business Services at Network Rail 👤Barry Smith, Head of Assessment at NSAR 👤Edward Hughes, Head of Policy and Engagement at NSAR 👤Neil Robertson, Chief Executive at NSAR (Chair) #rail #skills #infrastructure #autumnbudget2024 #apprenticeships #nsar