Rail

Rail freight contributes £1.7bn to the economy and plays a huge part in reducing congestion and carbon emissions. Freight trains transport £30bn of goods each year, a quarter of which is made up of construction materials.The importance of a more sustainable environment paired with the potential rising cost of exporting post-Brexit means that rail freight usage is likely to increase significantly over the coming years.We’ve spoken to Maggie Simpson, Executive Director of the Rail Freight Group, about what a career in the sector is like and why you should consider rail freight when looking for your next role. Maggie’s 5 reasons why rail freight should be your next career choice are:​1. You’ll support businesses right across the economyRail freight works for businesses in many different parts of our economy. We move retail products from warehouses to supermarket shelves and imported and exported goods to and from the ports. We carry a quarter of all the shipping containers that come into the country which can contain anything from the latest designer clothes and electronics, to car parts to scrap metal. We move stone and cement for the construction industry to help build the homes, schools and offices we all need. We move cars, petrochemicals, steel, waste, letters and parcels, aviation fuel and even shellfish. When you work in rail freight you really get to understand what makes our economy tick! 2. You help improve the environmentMoving goods by rail makes a significant contribution to the environment. Each of our trains can remove up to 76 lorries from road transport, even more for some of our longest and heaviest services. In doing so, we help reduce road congestion and thus improve road safety, and we produce 76% less carbon dioxide than the equivalent journey by road. However, the industry isn’t complacent, and we are working to see how we can further improve our emissions, with ‘auto start-stop’ technology now fitted to many locomotives to reduce fuel use. 3. You get to travel everywhereOur trains really do go everywhere! Rail freight services run over pretty much the whole network, for commercial customers or when we support Network Rail with engineering trains and seasonal services. From china clay services from Cornwall to supermarket products to Inverness, from containers from East Anglia to steel to South Wales we span the whole rail network, so you can travel across the country meeting customers and delivering services. 4. Investment in new services, facilities and technologyFreight train operators and our customers are investing and there are plans for even more. This includes new state of the art wagons and locomotives, rail linked terminals and technology and systems to revolutionise the business. We are always looking for new ideas too so if you bring skills from other areas there may well be a role for you too. 5. It’s fun!The rail freight sector can sometimes feel like a family, and people will always look out for each other. At Rail Freight Group we host a number of events to bring people together, including our famous Christmas Lunch for over 800 people. We’re making strides on gender equality, and opening up opportunities for apprentices and trainees. Why not take a look at what the sector can offer you?​Rail freight jobsOpportunities in rail freight include jobs in engineering, maintenance, operations and many more. If you’re interested in finding out more about a career in rail freight or are looking for your next opportunity in the sector, view jobs below or contact us.CONTACT USVIEW JOBS

This blog is perfect for engineers in another sector that are looking to get into the rolling stock industry, or Ex-Forces wanting to know more about working in rolling stock. We have outlined the four main transferable skills for rail that our clients look for during the recruitment process, so if you have ever questioned ‘what do I need to be an engineer in rail?’, keep reading to find out!It’s no secret that there is a shortage of skills in rail. In 2015, the government announced that it was launching 30,000 new apprenticeships to train the transport workers of the future. However, as the workload increases, the need for skilled workers has never been more evident. There are 4.7 million train journeys made each day in Great Britain, and this continues to increase. Rail passenger journeys are at their highest since the 1920’s, making it imperative that there are enough engineers employed in rolling stock maintenance to keep things running smoothly. Rolling stock refers to the vehicles used on the railway, and the industry presents a fantastic opportunity for those with transferable skills to launch a successful career working in railway technology.​What do I need to work in rail?So, what are those transferable skills for rail? What do employers look for when hiring? And how can you start your career in an exciting and rapidly growing rail industry?  ​1. Engineering qualifications​Regardless of what industry you currently work in, you’ll be expected to hold a relevant qualification to be considered for a job within rolling stock. It’s best to focus on electrical instead of mechanical due to the change in technology on modern trains. Lindsay Warren, Principal Recruitment Specialist in rolling stock recommends: Electrical and Electronic Engineering (NVQ Level 3)Engineering Maintenance (NVQ Level 3)Railway Engineering (NVQ Level 3)​2. FlexibilityRolling stock jobs, particularly contract/freelance, would expect a reasonable amount of flexibility. There are large operations taking place throughout the UK but it’s unlikely that the role would be on your doorstep and so you’d have to consider working away from home. Shifts can also include nights and unsociable hours, so flexibility is a must.​3. Previous fault finding experience​If you’ve worked in an in-depth fault-finding environment you could be a perfect match for rolling stock maintenance engineering. Finding a fault, identifying the problem, fixing it and then testing is highly desirable experience. Some of the industries this could be relevant to are: Armed Forces (REME, Royal Navy and RAF)AutomotiveAviation & AerospaceFactory Maintenance (production equipment including drives, motors, PLCs)​4. Adaptability​The rail industry has changed massively over the years, the ‘boys club’ stigma of old is less prominent and the rolling stock environment is more diverse than it’s ever been. Technology is also shifting to modern electrical/electronic systems as part of the evolution towards a digital railway – these factors mean that you would need to be adaptable to change if moving from a different industry.​Jobs in rail and rolling stockRail is growing at a rapid rate and it’s showing no sign of slowing down, so there’s never been a better time to consider rolling stock and rail engineering.Jobs in rolling stock engineering include Technicians, Testing and Commissioning, Electrical Fitters, Mechanical Fitters, and more senior positions such as Production Managers and Engineering Managers. Click below to view jobs in rail and rolling stock.VIEW JOBS IN RAIL

April 2019 marked the launch of Network Rail’s Control Period 6. Often referred to as CP6, the strategic business plan outlines all rail projects, works and improvements to be delivered between 2019 and 2024.The number of rail journeys taken per year has doubled in the last 20 years, and it’s anticipated that passenger numbers will increase by 40% by 2040. Although this substantial growth is great news for Britain and its economy, it’s imperative that work is done to accommodate the increase in demand.Network Rail awarded more CP6 contracts in January 2019 and BAM Nuttall, AMCO, Osborne and QTS are amongst the companies chosen to complete the renewals and enhancements.​What’s Happening in Network Rail’s CP6?Network Rail’s CP6 plan covers the whole of the UK and focuses on four key responsibilities – to run a safe, reliable, efficient and growing railway. Some of the headline numbers of the CP6 plan include 7,000 new carriages by 2021 that will provide over 6,400 new services.With this, Network Rail have targeted a 15% decrease in delays and improvement works to 178 stations that combined will result in a much better experience for passengers. The high-level summary of the plan says:“The new carriages will mean the retirement of some of the oldest trains on the network with rolling stock that has more seats, Wifi, power points, improved accessibility, and air-conditioning. As well as a smoother, quieter ride, there will be technology on the new carriages that can detect potential faults on the railway, meaning we can fix problems before they cause disruption to passengers.”The new and improved rolling stock will be provided by 11 train operating companies including Govia Thameslink Railway, ScotRail, Northern Rail and South Western.It’s estimated that £47bn will be spent during CP6 and in February Network Rail revealed more information on the funding plans for specific routes. The London North Western route is receiving the greatest proportion of funding, with £5.8bn planned for maintenance and renewals in the next 5 years to prepare for increased demand in London, Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester following HS2.The CP6 Frameworks are split between structures and building and enhancement. Structural improvements planned include over and under bridge renewals, coastal defences, tunnel works, and footbridge renewals. Building and enhancements are to include new stations, platform works, level crossing works and new depots. All of this work is designed to create a more reliable and sustainable railway and ultimately improve passenger experience.​CP6 Jobs and Jobs in RailLooking for a new rail job? Ganymede is a rail recruitment agency, working closely with tier 1 contractors to recruit for CP6 across civil engineering and commercial. Roles available include Project Managers, Site Agents, Senior Engineers, Commercial Managers, Quantity Surveyors, and many others.To see a full list of our current rail jobs, click the button below.VIEW JOBS IN RAIL