about ganymede
Ganymede specialise in recruiting the best technical and engineering talent and providing complete workforce solutions to help build and maintain infrastructure and transportation for a wide range of UK clients.
As part of the RTC Group, an AIM-listed recruitment group, Ganymede is a market leader in providing a diverse range of people solutions to the rail, energy, construction, highways and transportation sectors.
With offices strategically located across the country, we provide our clients with the benefit of a national network of skilled personnel combined with local expertise. We currently have over 1,500 skilled staff currently deployed across the country on a daily basis.
We tailor our solutions to suit our client needs. Whether it’s recruiting permanent and temporary technical, engineering and safety-critical roles or providing fully managed workforce solutions of recruitment, training, account management, contingent labour and fleet provision, we work closely with our clients to understand their requirements, keeping their goals in mind every step of the way.
OUR SERVICES
Labour Supply
Our contingent labour services include the recruitment, training and workforce management of safety-critical personnel from our strategically located offices across the UK.
Contract Recruitment
As well as compliant contract recruitment, we provide payroll solutions and a unique IR35 assessment service designed to protect our clients and contractors.
Permanent Recruitment
Ganymede's permanent recruitment processes help you find the best talent for your business and is backed up by our market-leading two year guarantee.
Executive Search
Our executive search service is completely tailored to the needs of your business. Added extras include advanced screening processes and psychometric testing.
OUR VALUES
Ganymede’s core values define what we stand for and how we do things, helping us to provide the best possible service to our clients and candidates and maintain a healthy working environment for our employees.
Socially Responsible
We care about local communities and are committed to attracting and retaining diverse talent. We strive to support charities and good causes and take care of the environment by operating ethically and sustainably.
People Are Our Passion
People are at the heart of everything we do. Through our in-depth recruitment processes, we attract, develop and retain the best people, supporting our clients to deliver projects safely and efficiently.
Taking Pride
Every action taken by the organisation is done with skill, care and pride in mind. This ensures that every level of the organisation is accountable and provides the best possible service.
Delivering Excellence
By continually building upon our vast industry knowledge and working collaboratively with our clients, we always deliver first-class, innovative and tailored solutions with our client goals in mind.
Safety First, Safety Always
Safety is at the forefront of our business operations. Awareness and continuous improvement eliminates complacency and ensures we keep our workforce, industry colleagues and communities safe.
OUR sectors
-
Rail
Supporting original equipment manufacturers, train and freight operators and national main contractors, Ganymede recruit across all stages of rail projects, including design and development, build ...
Find Out More
-
Energy & Utilities
Energy Workforce Solutions That Power Net Zero ProgressAs a leading energy and utilities operational workforce provider, Ganymede provides flexible, safety-first workforce solutions across home e...
Find Out More
-
Water & Environment
Ganymede have extensive experience recruiting into the Water and Wastewater sector, we work with you to develop and deliver the solution you need. Ganymede provides recruitment expertise to multi...
Find Out More
-
Transportation
We pride ourselves in not just supplying to, but also fully immersing ourselves in the transportation sector, and have done so for over 50 years. Ganymede work hard to identify transferable skills ...
Find Out More
-
Highways
Ganymede play an important part in highways, ensuring our clients have the best engineers capable of delivering projects on time and to budget. We support highways projects from planning and design...
Find Out More
-
Construction
Ganymede has worked closely with clients on some of the most impressive commercial and residential construction projects throughout the UK, hiring for every stage of the process from design to buil...
Find Out More
-
Signalling
Ganymede Signalling offers a full range of signalling resources and project delivery support across the UK. Including Installation and Testing, New Works Tester, Projects Support/Advice and Signall...
Find Out More
2 YEAR GUARANTEE
Like many other recruiters, our rebate scheme promises to provide you with a completely free replacement
within 8 weeks. However, nothing we do at Ganymede is standard, and that includes our extended recruitment
guarantee. The Ganymede guarantee enables you to hire with confidence in the knowledge that your recruitment
partner has a vested interest in your success.
Case Studies
Employer Branding, Attraction and Engagement
What message does your organisation’s recruitment and onboarding activity directly or indirectly communicate about your business?“Employees are our greatest assets”… yet if we have learned nothing else over the last 2 years, what we can clearly see is that, unlike assets, people cannot be bought. Whilst salaries are clearly important (particularly with rapidly rising costs of living), we can all understand that people look for far more than this in deciding where and who they wish to work with.The supposed shift in what people now look for in their employment; flexibility, autonomy, remote working options, outcomes vs outputs, employer concern – is less so a shift, in my opinion, rather an unveiling of the truth, supported by two years of evidence that ‘traditional’ attitudes to working arrangements were easily updated.February 24th was ‘Covid-19 Freedom Day’ in England, where all coronavirus restrictions were lifted, with pressure building for the rest of the UK to follow suit. Hopefully we will all be returning to normal!The question is, what is normal in the workplace in 2022? This is a critical question for organisations to answer and to decide which of the measures they implemented during the pandemic were temporary and which were transformative. And whatever is decided upon must consider the impact it will have on being able to attract and retain the critical talent required to capitalise on the growth opportunities ahead.An organisation’s employees are MUCH more than assets. They need to be attracted and retained with clear benefits that reflect their personal goals and values. These need to be evident in your organisation’s proposition from the very first interaction a prospective employee has with you. Cast your minds back to pre-2020 and you may recall that many sectors were reporting critical skills shortages – the Department for Education’s Skills Needs Survey estimated 210,000 skills-shortage vacancies in the UK in 2019, up 147% from 2011 – this isn’t a situation that has improved! As such, recruitment activity needs to be modernised, focussing upon the candidate (customer) experience to enable you to succeed in hiring the best people for your business.How can your recruitment partner play its part?Quite often the very first interaction a prospective employee has with you, is courtesy of your recruitment partner. How well equipped is that partner to represent your brand? How clear is that partner on the attitudes, behaviours and skills required in candidates to correctly identify who will truly be successful in the role? And how confident are you that your recruitment partner can encourage those candidates to entertain a career opportunity with you?The ONS recently reported a UK record high of 1.2million unfilled vacancies (my colleague Christian Addison’s blog references this here) – competition for talent is as fierce as ever.So, in addition to ensuring your proposition to prospective employees is clear and that your own recruitment activity reflects your organisational values and how you wish to be perceived by future employees, it is imperative that you choose the correct recruitment partner and work with them as a partner to deliver the same.To ensure your recruitment partner positively impacts your brand to your potential new recruits ask yourself whether they are….Defining / re-defining value propositions for individual roles, providing candidates with valuable information about an opportunity beyond a job descriptionAgreeing upon attraction strategy, advertising media and routes to market for target audience, to ensure our clients have the greatest reach to the highest calibre candidatesIntegrating digital solutions to inject pace and accuracy into the selection process, reducing time to hire and improving hiring effectivenessChallenging convention to ensure unique and high impact messages are communicated to the candidate market, ensuring clients remain competitive in a demanding marketStreamlining the hiring process to deliver continuity of assessment and an enhanced candidate experience, giving confidence the process is owned Reporting on candidate feedback, progress and outcomes to inform future hiring decisions and tactics.If they are not, then you may want to reconsider who you choose to partner with for your next requirement because how can you be sure that your new hires are going to be onboard with the ethos and culture of your organisation and fully ready for the task at hand?Many organisations utilise several recruitment suppliers in tandem to deliver to a recruitment need, adopting the mantra “many hands make light work”. I mean, you will have every agency dedicating all their time solely to finding you the best candidate on the market – right? Now, put yourself in the shoes of the recruiter and ask yourself; if you had two roles to work on, one - exclusively with the client where you have spent time going over all the details of the role and person you need to hire, or two – a role in competition with several others – which would you choose?Considering the challenges presented in the current climate, if like us, you feel that several suppliers culminate in too many cooks spoiling the broth, then reconsider your approach to recruitment and engage with a partner who you can be confident understands your business and will pull out all the stops to find you the right candidate!I’d be keen to hear from any client who has tried both tactics and which one works for you and why. If you have current opportunities and would like to discuss how Ganymede Solutions works hard to positively impact your brand to new recruits, then please contact me on 07796 990 418 or email chris.oconnor@ganymedesolutions.co.uk. Chris O’Connor, Operations Director - Recruitment
Read More
Ganymede Engage
Ganymede Solutions are excited to announce the launch of our new Managed Service Provision platform, Engage.Ganymede Engage is the technology platform that drives our Managed Service Provision. It centralises all of your recruitment & workforce management functions into one, user-friendly system – minimising time wasted on recruitment processes, and maximising time spent growing your business.Paul Crompton, Managing Director explains “We invested in Ganymede Engage to provide a technology solution which naturally compliments our recruitment and workforce management offering. Ganymede Engage will provide our clients with complete visibility and control of their recruitment activities and temporary workforce through a cloud based platform, delivering efficiencies and maximising access to the best talent available.” Visit our Engage hub to learn more. Get in touch
Read More
IR35: Important Information for End Hirers
Following the Chancellor's budget announcement, we must now assume that the IR35 reforms in the private sector will continue to go ahead as planned on 6th April 2021, and end hirers need to ensure they are all fully aware of how their responsibilities are changing. What is IR35? IR35 is a piece of legislation designed to tackle what the HMRC have called ‘disguised employment’. Using a number of factors, it aims to differentiate between PSC contractors who are genuinely in business on their own account and those who should be considered employees for tax purposes. What does it mean for you? As of April 2021, it will be the responsibility of the end hirer to assess the employment status for tax purposes of all PSC contractors. In line with the legislation, you are required to take reasonable care in doing so, which means you need to properly assess the status of your contractors, provide a determination, and provide an explanation behind your decision. What should you do now? Time is ticking but there is still time to make sure your business is fully compliant with the changes to the IR35 legislation using the following steps: Assess your workforce. You’ll need to know how many contractors are working through a limited company, where there are, and what they do. Consider your options. There are a number of ways in which you can make your status determinations, including using a third-party provider or utilising the HMRC’s Check Employment Status for Tax (CEST) tool, so you’ll need to decide which one is right for you. Carry out your Status Determination Statements. To get the most accurate assessment on whether or not a contractor should be considered Inside IR35 or Outside IR35, you should be liaising with the contractor themselves and their key points of contact within your business, so communication is key. Pass the Status Determination Statement down the supply chain. Your responsibilities under the legislation require you to pass your decision and the reasoning behind it to all interested parties, namely the contractor and the agency who engages them. Communicate with your supply chain. It’s important to protect yourself by ensuring any recruitment agencies within your supply chain are complying with the decisions you have made and are deducting PAYE Tax and National Insurance Contributions as required. Reassess when needed. You need to assess the IR35 status of PSC contractors any time any element of the worker’s contract or their working practices change. Depending on the nature of their engagement, you will also want to reassess every six to twelve months to ensure you and they are still compliant with the legislation. If you're unsure about any of the above, or require some advice and support on how to assess your contractors, get in touch with our specialist team as soon as possible to ensure you're IR35 compliant.
Read More
How to Effectively Work from Home
The Government has recently announced that people should work from home where possible during the current Coronavirus outbreak. Working from home has become popular over the years but for many, it will be a new way of working. What if you have never worked from home, what if you don't have a home office set up? Don’t worry, we have compiled a list of 7 top tips to make sure you are working as effectively as possible from the comfort of your own home. 1. Try to replicate your morning routineOne of the most important things to do is to create the right mindset to work from home, and this should start as soon as you wake up. That’s right, you need to continue setting your morning alarm, getting showered and dressed, eating breakfast and anything else you would normally do before work. Use the time you would normally spend commuting to do something productive like walking the dogs, making breakfast or just catching up with the news.It may seem strange putting your work clothes on just to stay in but, it will help tell your brain that it is work time and not relaxation time. 2. Create a suitable workspace Now you’re up and ready for work it’s time to make sure your workspace is ready. Here are some dos and don'ts for creating a suitable office space whilst you work from home: DO Make sure you have a clean large enough surface. - Similar to your office, you need enough space for your cups of coffee, documents, mouse and anything else you normally have on your desk. Make sure you have a comfortable chair - the last thing you want to do is spend all day sat on an uncomfortable chair.Try and set up a second screen if you use one in the office - this could even be your TV if you don’t have anything smaller. Simply connect your laptop to a TV (usually with an HDMI) then you will have your second screen ready to go. DON’T Work in bed - this may seem like a great idea but it’s not, your brain has learnt to associate the bedroom with being relaxed. Trying to work whilst your brain wants to relax is never going to work well for your productivity. Work in front of the TV - again this sounds like a great idea but realistically you are not going to be as productive whilst trying to watch your favourite series - why not stick the radio on instead? Work on any free surface you can find – If you are not comfortable you will not be able to produce your best work and even worse it may lead to health issues. 3. Try to replicate your working routine as much as possible In order to keep yourself in the right frame of mind, it is important to try and replicate your working routine. That includes your working hours, your tea and coffee breaks and your lunch schedule. Make sure you plan regular breaks and make sure you follow the governments advice about working safely with display screen equipment. 4. Plan your time and exactly what you want to achieve each day One great way to keep productivity at a high is to plan your workflow. At the start of the day, you need to know what your priorities are, what you need to get done first and what you want to work on if you have extra time. Check out our blog about effectively managing your time here. If you are part of a team it may be worth holding daily catch ups to ensure you are all on task and achieving what you need to achieve. 5. Keep work time and personal time separate So, you have your schedule and you’re burning through tasks but it’s already the end of the day, you might be tempted to carry on working as you no longer have to commute and you’re in a good flow. Which is great, however, it is just as important to give yourself some time off when you’ve promised it. Try not to extend your workday too far over what you planned, as this might lead to burning yourself out and starting to see your home environment as a stressful place. By doing this and keeping work time and personal time separate should make you more productive at work and less stressed when you aren’t working. 6. Use the correct software and tools We are fortunate that we live in an innovative world where the likes of Microsoft Teams and Skype have made it easier than ever to keep in contact with work colleagues, whether that's instant messaging, video calls or conference calls. Choose the correct tool that works for you and your team to make sure you stay in touch with what’s going on. 7. Stay connectedMake sure you’re still picking up the phone or getting on skype and teams and having conversations where you can. There are number of benefits of having conversations out of email, firstly you get to bounce off one another and keep those creative juices flowing, secondly it’s important to stay social when you’re removed from those people at work, don’t be afraid to just have a general quick chat.Want to read more tips and advice like this? Make sure you sign up to our blog to receive them directly in your inbox.
Read More
How to Choose the Best Engineering Recruitment Agency
If you’re a Hiring Manager that is nervous of using a recruiter, or perhaps just don’t know where to start when choosing one, this blog is for you. We address your concerns and the common misconceptions of recruitment agencies, and equip you with the tools needed to separate the good, the bad and the ugly.The recruitment industry can be a minefield. There are nearly 40,000 recruitment agencies of all sizes to choose from and you have probably been contacted by what feels like half of them. Recruiters recently appeared in a list of the 10 least trusted professions, alongside car salespeople and bailiffs. But why?We firmly believe the misconception of recruiters is down to us naturally remembering the bad experiences, more than the good. The ‘once bitten, twice shy’ approach is understandable, but it may be hampering your chances of finding a recruitment agency that could genuinely add value to you and your business.There are reputable and trustworthy engineering recruitment agencies, but you need to know how to identify them. This blog will help you to do that, so keep reading to find out the tell-tale sales of a good and trustworthy recruiter that can help your business.Do your researchWe learn not to judge a book by it’s cover, but in this case, it’s important to take a look at the recruiters’ website and social media streams. It goes beyond whether the recruitment agency look good, you should also be looking out for case studies and testimonials as well as blog posts and content that demonstrates they have a real understanding of your sector and the issues your business faces.Choose a specialistThere are a number of recruitment agencies that operate across every sector. They work in high-volumes with no particular specialism and will often use their colossal database as a selling point, but this is not always a success factor. You’re an engineering business, engage with an engineering recruitment agency – they operate in your space and they spend their days talking to engineers, developing large networks relevant to your business. As well as an understanding of the skills you’ll be looking for in candidates, technical recruiters will also know a lot about the marketplace, including average salaries and where your competition is. This will save you a lot of time during the briefing and recruitment process as you’re much more likely to receive the right match.Ask questionsWe all know to ask questions, but there are particular things to ask that will very quickly expose the quality of a recruitment agency. You will want to know their efficiencies, which essentially translates to ‘how many CVs are you going to send before there’s a candidate I’ll want to interview?’. Multiple CVs and poor matches are a waste of your time, and a high-quality recruitment business will measure themselves on these numbers and have them to hand when you ask. Other, more obvious things worth probing into are accreditation, memberships and examples of previous work.These basic steps will leave you able to make a much more confident decision on which engineering recruitment agency to work with. Whenever looking for a recruitment service, keep these three things in mind and you’re much more likely to have a better and more efficient experience.Engineering RecruitmentATA is an engineering recruitment agency with a difference – we’ve been operating within the sector for over 50 years and have a large database of relevant and engaged engineers that could be perfect for your business.We’re so confident in our recruitment services that our market-leading guarantee covers all full fee permanent placements for 2 years, substantially longer than any of our competitors. Contact us to discuss your requirements and how ATA Recruitment can help using the button below.CONTACT US
Read More
5 Reasons to Hire Engineering Contractors
You’re a Hiring Manager who wants to minimise disruption to business and projects during the recruitment process, but how? This blog outlines several ways in which hiring a contractor could solve your problems, even if it’s just while you’re looking for a permanent employee.It’s estimated that there’s an annual shortfall of 59,000 engineers needed to fill technical roles across the UK. For employers, this means that competition for the best talent is at an all-time high – resulting in a longer time to hire, delayed projects and slower production.So where do contract engineers come in to this? How much do contractors cost? We work with several businesses that need a temporary solution to accommodate for an increase in workload or to plug the gap during their permanent recruitment drive. There are a number of benefits to doing this, read them below:1. They can hit the ground runningEngineering and civil engineering contractors are typically very skilled and experienced, with several years working as a permanent employee before changing to freelance. Hiring a contractor means you’re getting an expert that can make an instant impact to your business, with no training required. This is incredibly valuable if you’re working on a time-sensitive project or need to avoid any impact on production.2. There is no commitmentContractors can work with your business for as long, or as little, as required. Whether you need an engineer for 3 months to finish a project, or for 2 weeks to cover holiday or sickness, hiring a contract engineer is a great solution. Once the initial contract finishes, or you find the permanent employee you’ve been looking for, there’s no obligation to provide the contractor with more work. This is something seasoned contractors are comfortable with, and it provides great flexibility to your business.3. It isn’t as expensive as you may thinkIt’s impossible to determine the cost of hiring an engineering contractor – this will completely depend on the experience they have, the work required, and the sector they’ll be operating in. You may panic when you see a daily contract rate, but keep in mind that there are no other costs involved, such as holiday pay or sick pay. The contractor is only paid for the time they work, which is great value for money, considering sickness pay alone can cost up to 16% of your annual salary bill.4. They have their own insuranceContractors are required to have their own insurance in order to carry out their services. Professional Indemnity insurance covers them if they make any mistakes or result in you losing money. Public Liability covers contractors if somebody is injured or property is damaged whilst supplying services. This is a benefit to you and your business as it means that you’re not liable in the same way you would be if these mistakes were made by a permanent member of staff. The cost of insurance and cost of the claim would fall on the contractor, not your business.5. They’re a great answer to a permanent skills gapThe engineering skills gap is making it more difficult to recruit permanent engineers, but business can’t wait. When you recruit contract engineers, you’re giving your business the breathing space to take the time you need to fill a permanent position, while having somebody doing the job in the interim. It’s very likely that the amount spent on contractors would be less than the amount lost in not having somebody at least temporarily fill the role – delayed projects, low production and reduced output are avoidable.Each of these points combined should paint a great picture of the benefits of recruiting engineering or civil engineering contractors. Some businesses prefer to hire contractors, others use them as means to an end – either way, they’re a resource that your business should be considering during increased workloads and recruitment gaps.Engineering RecruitmentOur extensive contract division includes recruitment, compliance, payroll and ongoing contractor management, making the process as easy as possible for our clients. Not only can we help you to recruit engineering contractors and civil engineering contractors, we can also conduct all right to work checks, pay them, and provide you with a full end-to-end contract recruitment service.If you want to find out more about Ganymede our contract services or how we can help your business, contact us using the button below.CONTACT US
Read More
WHAT OUR Clients SAY
It was great to work with a team who were interested with the task in hand and worked extremely hard, even in the high temperatures. I look forward to working with Ganymede again.
Engineering Supervisor
Amey
The Ganymede team went over and above to ensure we met our workloads, this type of commitment and pro-activeness goes a long way.
Business Manager
Volker Rail
Ganymede has worked collaboratively with us to provide a contingent labour service to fulfil our requirements to enhance the infrastructure on the Western Route. Ganymede continuously evolves to meet business needs and train their people to provide a high skilled workforce.
Programme Manager
Network Rail
Ganymede are an important partner within the Works Delivery organisation in Wales. They integrate closely with the local teams to ensure our delivery needs are met.
Works Delivery Director
Network Rail
Thank you once again Ganymede for providing such a high calibre of resource, the productivity noticed on site is above and beyond what we expected given our experiences with other contingent labour providers.
Works Delivery Manager
Network Rail
Contact us
To discuss our effective processes, or to find out more about what we do and how we can help your business, contact us below.
Engineering News & Insights
Supporting the Severn Valley Railway
Supporting the Severn Valley RailwayThe Rail Industry Joins Forces to Keep Heritage on TrackAt Ganymede Solutions, we believe the rail industry is built not only on innovation and engineering excellence but also on community, heritage and collaboration. That’s why we were proud to join a recent industry-wide volunteer effort at the Severn Valley Railway (SVR), a vital heritage line that preserves the history and legacy of British rail. The companies taking part included Ganymede, A P Webb, AWE Technologies, Balfour Beatty, Central Rail Systems Alliance, CML, Colas, Crown Group, Forestry, Rail & Civils Ltd, Interflon, Network Rail, Rail Power and Construction Ltd, Shannon Rail, Staytite, Vital and VP Rail.A Shared Commitment to Rail ExcellenceWhen the SVR issued a call for assistance with essential maintenance and vegetation clearance along its 16-mile route, the response from the wider rail community was immediate and enthusiastic. For us at Ganymede, stepping in to help wasn’t just an act of support, it was a reflection of who we are and our core values.Our colleagues, Gareth Jackson, Tyler Cook and Lina Oprisnykbrought decades of collective experience and rail-specific know-how to the table. Partnering with other leading industry names, our team contributed to the safe and efficient completion of critical infrastructure works, allowing SVR to maintain high safety standards and operational readiness ahead of peak summer season.People are our PassionOur involvement at SVR echoes our core value: People are our Passion. It was inspiring to see skilled professionals from across the UK come together, donating their time, tools, and talent to a shared cause. What made this project truly special was the shared passion evident in every conversation on-site. From clearing embankments and managing vegetation to ensuring safety protocols were rigorously followed, everyone contributed with purpose and pride.Gareth Jackson, P Way Recruitment Consultant said: "It was a pleasure to be asked to help support ‘The Orange Army All Stars’, as a Handback on the Severn Valley Railway. This opportunity highlighted the capabilities we have within our team, to not only be a labour support provider, but a delivery team as well. Seeing the blend of traditional and modern railway methods used and how everyone came together to get the line open again, is an experience that will stay with me for a long time." Lina Oprisnyk, Gareth Jackson and Tyler CookLooking AheadAt Ganymede, we’re proud to support both the future and the foundations of the rail industry. Our thanks go out to the Severn Valley Railway for welcoming us, and to our fellow contributors across the sector.
Read More
Ganymede Safety Stand Down Days 2025: Strengthening Safety Culture Across Regions
Ganymede Safety Stand Down Days 2025: Strengthening Safety Culture Across RegionsAt Ganymede, safety is not just a priority; it is a core value that connects every role, region, and individual within our organisation. In June 2025, we proudly hosted two successful Safety Stand Down Days, bringing together teams from across the South, North, and Midlands.Held at Canterbury RFC and our Doncaster office, these events created vital opportunities for teams to align on key safety practices, share experiences, and continue building a strong, proactive safety culture across the UK rail sector.Focusing on Key Rail Safety TopicsOur Safety Stand Down Days addressed real-world operational challenges, evolving industry standards, and the need for strong safety leadership. Sessions included practical discussions and workshops on essential safety themes, such as:Protection/Possession Irregularities – Identifying and addressing safety issues early to prevent incidentsStandard 019 and Safety Documentation – Reinforcing clear, complete, and compliant safe system of work process and documentationSafety Critical Communications – Highlighting the updated NR/L2/OHS/301 standard and structured communicationClose Call Reporting– Promoting open reporting to drive continuous safety improvementsPPE Compliance – Emphasising correct and consistent use of personal protective equipmentSingle Approach to Isolation (SAI) – Deepening understanding of safe isolation procedures when working in AC Overhead Line areasFatigue Management – Using the Ganymede App and Fatigue Survey to monitor well-being and fitness to workLone Working at Stoats Nest – Reminding everyone the importance of managing the risks of working alone through correct planning and controlsWorkforce Engagement and Industry CollaborationOne of the standout successes of these events was the active participation of our workforce. Valuable conversations took place, driven by honest feedback, shared experiences, and a collective goal of improving workplace safety.At the Doncaster event, we welcomed Risktec Solutions, who are working with RSSB on the T1323 research project. This important initiative aims to understand how frontline track workers interact with existing safety reporting systems and identify any barriers to their effective use.Their workshop provided our teams with a platform to contribute to industry-wide improvements and strengthen the safety reporting culture.Recognising Safety LeadershipWe were proud to present the Safety Stand Down Award in Doncaster to Joe Amour, whose exceptional performance during a recent handback shift demonstrated strong leadership and a commitment to safety excellence. Joe’s contribution ensured compliance, supported client planning, and created wider opportunities for his team.Gareth Jackson, Recruitment Consultant and Joe ArmourGary Lobue, Head of HSEQ, shared his thoughts on the events:What makes these events special on a personal note is the opportunity to engage with our workforce, the people on the frontline. It gives me the chance to converse with them in person and hear their views, frustrations, and, above all, their passion and loyalty to this unique industry.Dean Frost, Head of Rail (South) said:What struck me most throughout our event was the dedication and honesty of our workforce.The open conversations, the real world insights, and the willingness to challenge norms all highlighted one thing: our people care deeply about doing the right thing, and they want to be part of shaping a safer future.It is that passion that fuels my own.We will continue to invest in these vital conversations, foster a culture where safety leadership is everyone’s responsibility, and keep pushing for excellence, not just in words but in action.Committed to Continuous Safety ImprovementThese events clearly reflected the power of bringing teams together with a shared purpose: to get everyone home safe, every day.We trust that all attendees found the sessions both useful and engaging. As a business, Ganymede remains fully committed to raising safety awareness, encouraging open dialogue, and promoting a strong, collaborative safety culture across all levels.The value of these sessions cannot be overstated. They are a vital part of our mission to create a safer, more resilient workforce.Thank you to everyone who attended, participated, and helped make the 2025 Safety Stand Down Days a success.
Read More
200 Years of Rail: How Signalling Has Evolved and What Comes Next
200 Years of Rail: How Signalling Has Evolved and What Comes NextIn 2025, the UK celebrates Railway 200, marking two centuries since the birth of the modern railway. This milestone is more than just a look back. It is a chance to reflect on the innovations that have shaped rail infrastructure and to look ahead at what is still to come. Few aspects of the rail system have evolved more dramatically than signalling, a critical function that underpins both the safety and efficiency of the network.From the earliest manually operated levers and block systems to today’s digital interlockings and real time diagnostics, signalling has always sat at the intersection of technology, safety, and engineering excellence. But how has the discipline changed in recent decades, and what does the future hold?To explore these questions, we spoke with Dave Carter, Head of Rail Technical at Ganymede, a specialist in recruiting and managing signalling and safety critical rail professionals across the UK. His insights offer a window into both the heritage and the future of rail technical delivery in Britain.A Historic Backbone: Signalling in the Story of Railway 200Signalling has been central to the railway since the beginning. As the first railways expanded, early systems relied on time intervals and visual signals to prevent collisions. The 19th and 20th centuries brought mechanical signal boxes, colour light signals, and centralised traffic control. Each leap forward was driven by the same goals we have today, increasing capacity, enhancing safety, and improving reliability.Railway 200 is a moment to recognise how these early innovations laid the foundation for what is now one of the most technically advanced safety systems in UK transport.“The most significant developments we are seeing today involve digital transformation, assurance, and competence,” says Dave Carter. “It is not just about moving trains, it is about making sure they are moved safely, compliantly, and consistently every time.”Digital Transformation and the Challenge of CompetenceAs the UK rail network evolves, technology is rapidly redefining how signalling work is delivered. From the rollout of the European Train Control System to automated testing tools and cloud based documentation, the digital era has introduced both opportunities and challenges for the rail technical workforce.“Keeping pace with technology is one of our biggest responsibilities,” says Dave. “At Ganymede, we have revamped our competency management systems to ensure our signalling, stressing, and handback engineers are always prepared for the complexity of modern infrastructure.”These systems include detailed competency profiles and full Authority to Work documentation, which ensure that Engineers are not only experienced but actively verified as competent for the specific tasks they perform. In an era where safety and assurance are more scrutinised than ever, this kind of proactive oversight is vital.The Role of Rail Technical in Safety and PerformanceWith infrastructure projects like the Transpennine Route Upgrade, Digital Railway initiatives, and ongoing Network Rail asset renewals, the technical workforce is under pressure to deliver faster, safer, and more cost efficient outcomes. At the centre of this is the relationship between frontline Engineers and the organisations that support them.“While Ganymede does not act as Principal Contractor, we work hand in hand with Tier 1 contractors to ensure high levels of compliance and delivery,” explains Dave. “By focusing on engagement and engineering standards, we help safeguard passenger safety and protect long term infrastructure reliability.”This emphasis on support, training, and process maturity reflects a wider trend across the rail industry. One that places value not just on labour, but on assurance, traceability, and continuous improvement.Building the Future WorkforceAs the industry looks beyond Railway 200, one of its most pressing challenges is the pipeline of skilled Engineers. With much of the current workforce approaching retirement, rail faces a growing need to recruit, train, and retain the next generation of technical professionals.“One of the biggest challenges to agencies with transient workforces is maintaining competence over time,” Dave says. “It takes surveillance, mentorship, and smart investment to make sure skills do not fade.”To support this need, Ganymede works closely with clients to provide apprentice level engineers with real project exposure. Alongside technical training, these early career professionals receive mentoring and non technical development that helps prepare them for long term careers in signalling and rail safety critical roles.Looking Ahead: A Smarter, Safer Rail IndustryRailway 200 is a celebration of the past, but also a call to action for the future. Signalling, once the hidden infrastructure of the railway, is now a driver of digital innovation, sustainability, and system resilience.As infrastructure becomes more complex and interconnected, the demands on signalling engineers and technical staff will only grow. Whether it is adapting to new tools, managing risks, or supporting major upgrades, the role of Rail Technical teams will remain central to the performance and safety of the network.“Our goal is not just to fill roles,” Dave concludes. “It is to work with our clients to build safe, effective solutions and a workforce ready for the next 200 years.”Read our previous blog Railway 200 blog: Strengthening Compliance to Drive Safety and Excellence in the UK Rail Sector
Read More
Working Safely in the Heat: Essential Tips for Operatives
Working Safely in the Heat: Essential Tips for OperativesWorking in hot conditions increases the risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion, sun-related illnesses, and fatigue. For operatives, understanding how to stay safe and healthy whenever working in the heat is vital to maintaining wellbeing and productivity.Why Heat Safety Matters for OperativesHeat stress can quickly affect both physical and mental performance. Early symptoms include dizziness, confusion, excessive sweating, and fatigue. Recognising these warning signs and responding promptly is essential to prevent serious health issues.Hydration: The Key to Staying Safe in the HeatSince water makes up around 75% of the human body, maintaining hydration is critical when working in heat. Operatives should:Drink at least 2 litres of water every day and increase this amount depending on activity levels and temperature.Avoid drinks that dehydrate, such as alcohol, coffee, tea, and caffeinated soft drinks.Carry a reusable water bottle at all times, whether travelling or on site.Use urine colour as a guide: dark, strong-smelling urine means more fluids are needed.To help keep hydrated, set regular reminders on phones or computers to drink water throughout the day.Protecting Skin from UV DamageSkin damage is caused by UV rays, not temperature. This means skin can be harmed even when it feels cool or when the sky is cloudy. Key points include:UV exposure causes permanent skin damage regardless of skin type or colour.Fake tan lotions with SPF cannot be relied on for continuous protection.Un-tinted glass reduces sunlight but does not completely block UV rays, so prolonged exposure near windows can still cause damage.Always apply broad-spectrum sunscreen with an appropriate SPF and reapply regularly.Wear protective clothing, hats, and sunglasses to reduce UV exposure.Recognising and Responding to Heat-Related FatigueBeing aware of heat-related fatigue is crucial. Watch for symptoms such as:Dizziness or light-headednessConfusion or difficulty concentratingExcessive sweating or clammy skinNausea or headachesIf these symptoms occur:Move to a cooler or shaded area immediatelyDrink water or electrolyte fluidsRest until symptoms improveSeek medical help if symptoms worsenPractical Tips for Staying Safe Whenever Working in HeatStay hydrated by drinking water regularly.Wear light, breathable clothing that covers the skin.Use sunscreen and sun protection consistently.Take breaks in shaded or cool areas when possible.Keep a reusable water bottle with you at all times.Educate all team members on heat safety awareness and response.For more information and additional resources, visit our Safety Hub.By prioritising hydration, sun protection, and early symptom recognition, operatives can stay safe and maintain their performance whenever working in hot conditions. Proper preparation and vigilance are key to managing heat risks effectively.
Read More
Project-Focused Staffing Solutions to Meet South Eastern Railwayʼs Workforce Demands
Project-Focused Staffing Solutions to Meet South Eastern Railwayʼs Workforce DemandsSouth Eastern Railway, a major train operating company in the South East of England, required a rapid recruitment solution to meet operational demands under the Service Quality Regime. The roles involved installing, maintaining and repairing train interiors including windows, seating and fittings while ensuring compliance with safety standards and passenger expectations. A specialist team of Interior Standards Operatives was provided to support the newly formed Service Quality Regime Interior Standards Team, delivering essential maintenance and repair work within train maintenance to uphold high interior standards.Our SolutionThe recruitment was completed within a short turnaround period to meet client demands and support the Service Quality Regime. Contractors were engaged on short-term rolling contracts, aligned to the client's Service Quality Regime audits and funding cycles. Initial Requirement: A team of 7 Technicians to start within 2 weeks, with ongoing talent pooling in place to support fluctuations in staffing needs throughout the project term. Additional Provision by Ganymede: Rail Standard Medical & D&A testing.Full rail depot PPE. Turnaround Time: 11 working days from client briefing to the first contractor cohort starting.Value Added Ganymede Connect - Ganymede held a briefing with the hiring manager to understand the candidate profile required and created a tailored solo interview suite on Ganymede Connect for candidates to complete video interviews. South Eastern Railway selected preferred candidates directly from the talent dashboard. This significantly reduced their usual time to hire, minimised management time spent conducting interviews, and reduced visitor numbers to a busy safety-critical site. Rail Specific Onboarding Support – Ganymede managed all onboarding tasks, including offers, right to work checks, medical and drug & alcohol testing, and PPE provision. Start dates were staggered across two weeks to support internal capacity for inductions and training at the depot. This ensured the full team was deployed compliantly and fully operational within three weeks of the initial briefing. Talent Pooling – Continuous screening and talent pooling have taken place throughout the project via the Ganymede Connect platform and project talent dashboard. This has enabled a rapid response to fluctuating needs and ensured staffing levels consistently meet project demands.Ganymede Connect makes the recruitment process so much easier. Having candidate interviews available to view remotely means the selection process becomes vastly more efficient. No longer do the interviewers have to be together in one place, reducing the need to coordinate diaries. Candidate interviews can also be tailored to answer specific questions relating to the assignment, making the selection process much quicker. Simply put, Ganymede Connect is a game changer for staff recruitment. D Paris Head of Fleet Engineering, South Eastern Railway.Looking for a flexible, project focused staffing solution tailored to the unique demands of the transportation industry?Get in touch with Ganymede today to discover how our specialist workforce solutions can help you meet operational requirements, improve service quality and maintain compliance, even at short notice.
Read More
Ganymede Proudly Supports Young Rail Professionals and Women in Rail’s Sizzling Summer BBQ
Ganymede Proudly Supports Young Rail Professionals and Women in Rail’s Sizzling Summer BBQSupporting Early Careers and Women in RailWe recently attended the Women in Rail East Midlands and Young Rail Professionals social event and summer BBQ at the Derby Conference Centre. The event offered valuable insight into the initiatives and opportunities championed by both organisations to support and develop careers in the rail industry.During the event, we heard from both groups including how Young Rail Professionals help influence and promote employment in the rail sector for people in their first 10 years of service, discussing what opportunities there are for people who fit this criteria. Women in Rail focused on how they support women across the UK by creating more opportunities to enter and progress in the rail sector.Championing Equality and OpportunityWe got involved as many members of the company are also part of Women in Rail across the country and help by attending and organising the events, which demonstrates our proactiveness with these sorts of events. At Ganymede, we believe that everyone should have the same opportunities and chances to have a role in the rail sector.Attendees of the WIR event including Charlotte Cruise, Client Relationship Manager at GanymedeThe historical venueGanymede was proud to attend the event hosted at our Head office, Derby Conference Centre. The venue holds a long history of hosting rail events and contains a large mural which reflects the changes in transport through time and how trends have evolved. Mark Lamb, Head of Client Development at Ganymede, described it as the perfect venue, calling it “well attended and full”, which reflects the interest of the people and members of the community within these groups. He also described it as a “relaxed environment” where he could catch up with former colleagues and meet new people.Mark described his favourite part as “the networking”, where he enjoyed socialising with new people and former colleagues and gaining more knowledge on what they are doing within these sectors of rail. He also said he enjoyed the BBQ and that there was a good variety of food, a nice, warm and relaxed atmosphere around the event, and that it was a great experience to be a part of. The event was a place for people to expand their network, catch up with familiar faces, and enjoy a relaxed and friendly time.Future eventsGanymede is looking forward to taking part in similar industry events such as the Women in Rail Christmas Quiz, Rail Forum, the Institute of Water which is celebrating 80 years of running, and other events.
Read More