Network Rail recently started renewing the East Suffolk line and the branch line that serves the new Sizewell C power station site. This is just one of many rail improvement projects now taking place across the UK. As a result, there is growing demand for people with relevant rail engineering skills.
People in Suffolk and Norfolk can now jump onboard these job opportunities thanks to free Skills Bootcamps funded by the Department for Education. That’s because East Coast College has modified its popular Engineering Skills Bootcamp for those seeking employment on our railways. The course is open to anyone aged over 19 who is eligible to work in the UK and not working in a related sector.
East Coast College has worked with the NIS Group (NIS) and other industry partners to ensure the training delivers specific skills required by the rail industry. That means students who complete the course are ready for employment across the national rail network. This can be the start of an exciting and rewarding career journey, where you choose your destination.
Industry helps lay down strong course foundations
As Rachel Bunn, Skills and Innovation Director at East Coast College, explains: “We saw this opportunity and started planning for it last year. We’ve since had valuable support and guidance from NIS and Balfour Beatty, as well as from industry recruitment specialists ISS and CRS, in developing the new course. Thanks to their input, our students gain a unique blend of civil construction and engineering skills.”
NIS even donated 40 metres of rail track for East Coast College to install at its Lound engineering campus. “This shows you the value of working with national industry partners,” says Rachel. “The test track enables our students to practice their new skills under close supervision in a safe environment. This sort of training facility simply hasn’t been available in Norfolk or Suffolk, until now.”
ISS and CRS also act as sponsors for the students. This means they help select them, endorse them for the training, and commit to finding them a job when they complete it. “That’s reassuring to students looking for a career change,” says Rachel, “because they must commit to attending our new campus at Lound (between Lowestoft and Hopton) from 9-5, 5 days a week for 11 weeks.”
Partners and students signal their approval
NIS had been looking for an opportunity to do more work in the East of England. As CEO Davie Carns says: “We are absolutely thrilled to be part of this pioneering Rail Engineering Skills Bootcamp at East Coast College. NIS Group has worked hard to continue our nationwide success in offering courses that provide learners with sustainable careers. A huge thanks to our employment partners ISS and CRS, Balfour Beatty and of course East Coast College.”
The first cohort of 7 students recently graduated from the Rail Engineering Skills Bootcamp and have already started well-paid jobs at Sizewell. An eighth student will soon join them when they finish their course in July. All were full of praise for the experience and excited about the opportunities ahead; here’s what 2 of them had to say:
- “I gained a lot of self-confidence and skills, which will help me achieve my personal goal of starting a lifetime career,” says Ben. “It has brought out the best in me, and I look forward to applying the skills I've learnt in the rail sector. There’s a vast variety of career paths and I now have the knowledge and confidence to choose the one that best suits my personal interests.”
- “This course, first and foremost, has helped build my confidence in the workplace,” says Judita. “It has also made me excited about the future, as I can now start a career for life. I have gained many skills that I wouldn't have had access to outside of this course. It has given me a clear idea of what I can do and how flexible the rail industry is, with many interesting roles.”
What does the course cover?
Here’s a list of the core skills you’ll learn over the course of 11 weeks:
- Health and safety awareness
- Manual handling awareness
- Fire safety awareness
- Basic first aid awareness
- Hand tools and track components
- Safe site set-up
- CSCS Construction Industry Card
- Track-side safety
- Track installation and maintenance
- Track geometry and alignment
- Interview and CV preparation
- Communicating professionally with colleagues
There is also the option to stay on for 3 weeks to complete a Level 2 NVQ in Rail Engineering.
The college works closely with the Department for Work and Pensions and Job Centre Plus to help the unemployed find good jobs. People on in-work or unemployment benefits can continue getting them while on the course.
Apply now for your ticket to a future in rail engineering
The next 2-day, pre-bootcamp, taster session starts at the end of July. The full course starts immediately after that. If you’re motivated to start a new career, don’t miss this opportunity.
To book your place or find out more, please contact Rachel Bunn r.bunn@eastcoast.ac.uk.
