Training Skilled Railway Workers for the Future

Gloucestershire College and Betaris Training are training the next generation of skilled railway workers by offering a free course in rail track maintenance starting Monday 31 January 2022 at Dean Forest Railway.

The 8 week course will provide students with essential knowledge and practical skills within a track maintenance environment, along with experience and expectations of the situations that they could face in a rail maintenance job role.

This course has been specifically developed to meet the needs of the rail engineering sector.

Demand for skilled workers in the industry is set to soar in light of the announcement of multiple major rail infrastructure projects across the UK, as well as concerns over the loss of skills faced by the industry over the next few years due to its aging workforce. Estimates suggest that 28% of current rail industry employees are aged over 50 and City & Guilds predicts that an additional 120,000 people will be required in the sector over the next five to ten years to fulfil the requirements of upcoming schemes.

The course is suitable for anyone who is 24 years old or older and looking for a career in the rail industry. It is free of charge for anyone who is unemployed, seeking work, generally fit and healthy and able to commit to daily attendance.

The initial course is delivered full-time over 6 weeks, where students will gain their City & Guilds NVQ Level 2 Diploma in Rail Engineering Track Maintenance, and a Level 2 Certificate in Rail Engineering. This is then then followed by a 10-day practical course in Safety Critical Training.

Throughout the course, students will benefit from a mix of both practical and theory lessons, where they will create a portfolio and complete practical based assessments. They’ll learn about a range of topics, including the ins and outs of routine maintenance, and engineering and maintenance technology.

Upon successful completion of the course, students will work with a sponsor who manages their Sentinel Card, a passport to start work on rail infrastructure.

If you’d like to hear more information, and to apply, click here. You can also contact the Betaris team on 01452 751004, or email info@betaristraining.com.