By Ganymede
Helping Students Access Career Pathways in Derby’s Rail and Engineering Sectors
Ganymede is one of the leading suppliers of workforce and recruitment solutions to the rail and engineering sectors, giving us first hand insight into the wide range of opportunities available to young people looking to build a career in these industries. As skills shortages continue across both sectors, it is increasingly important that students are given access to employers, practical advice and a clearer understanding of the pathways available to them.
Corporate Social Responsibility is one of our core values, which is why we are committed to engaging with local communities and using our expertise to support the future workforce. Through our work with employers across rail, engineering and infrastructure, we understand what businesses are looking for and the value of helping students develop the confidence, knowledge and employability skills needed to take their first steps into industry.
The Event
Derby College hosted an Insight to Industry event designed specifically for students studying Engineering, providing them with the opportunity to connect directly with employers across the rail and engineering sectors.
The event took place at the historic Derby Roundhouse, a historic venue that reflects the city’s long standing engineering and railway heritage. The setting created an inspiring environment for students to explore potential career paths within the industry.
The primary aims of the event were to help students gain a clearer understanding of the opportunities available to them, learn what employers look for when recruiting and build confidence when engaging with industry professionals.
Around 300 Derby College Engineering students attended the event, with exhibition stands also accessible to students from other courses across the college. Employers delivered short presentations and practical challenges throughout the day, giving learners a realistic insight into the roles, expectations, and skills required to succeed in the sector.
Our Approach
Ganymede supported the event by providing practical employability guidance tailored specifically to careers within engineering and rail.
Representing Ganymede, Mark Lamb and Chris O’Connor attended the event and spent time speaking with students, offering informal advice and answering questions about entering the industry.
Their discussions focused on several key areas designed to help students prepare for employment:
CV refinement: helping students highlight relevant engineering skills, hands‑on experience, technical coursework and how to make their CV stand out.
Professional behaviours: discussing what employers in the rail and engineering sectors expect, including safety awareness, communication and workplace readiness.
Digital professionalism: guidance on presenting a positive and professional online footprint, particularly across LinkedIn and social media.
Engagement with employers: coaching students on how to introduce themselves, start conversations and make a confident first impression.
To support students beyond the event itself, we also shared a QR code linking directly to our online employability support hub, which includes:
CV writing tools
Interview preparation guidance
Digital profile advice
These resources gave students practical support they could continue using after the event as they begin exploring career opportunities.
Derby College responded very positively to Ganymede’s involvement in the event. The employability resources shared via the QR code were particularly well received, with the college choosing to continue displaying the toolkit on TV screens across the campus, allowing all learners ongoing access to the guidance.
College staff also commented that the informal and approachable style of support provided by Ganymede added real value to the event and complemented the employer presentations taking place throughout the day.
Feedback from Derby College
Students welcomed the opportunity to ask honest and practical questions about entering the rail and engineering industries.
Many reported that the conversations helped them feel more confident approaching employers, while others said the advice on CV writing and social media gave them a clearer understanding of how to present themselves professionally when applying for roles.
Feedback from Derby College Students