Supporting veterans and service leavers into careers in the rail industry. NSAR is the driving force behind Routes into Rail on behalf of the rail industry. Last week, NSAR Chief Executive Neil Robertson signed the Armed Forces Covenant, alongside Group Captain Daren Moss. By signing the Armed Forces Covenant, organisations pledge to support the Armed Forces community and ensure that service leavers, Reservists, volunteers, spouses and partners receive equal employment opportunities and appropriate support. 14,000-15,000 Reservists, veterans, Cadet Force Adult Volunteers and military spouses move into civilian employment every year. They have transferable skills and experience in many areas that the rail industry has demand for – engineering, IT and cyber security, programme management and more – as well as soft skills like resilience, adaptability, teamwork and problem-solving that make them excellent employees. Service leavers are supported by the military for two years, with ongoing support from a network of charities after that. Personnel whose service is ongoing, such as Reservists, receive regular upskilling undertaken and funded by the military – saving employers money and providing them with highly skilled and capable employees. Through Routes into Rail, NSAR will continue to promote the rail industry to the Armed Forces community as a great place to work with lots of opportunities, progression and benefits. Some of the Routes into Rail funders – such as Network Rail and HS2 – have already signed the Covenant and are benefiting from employing members of the Armed Forces community. If you are a member of the Armed Forces community interested in a career in rail, visit our careers pages to find out how your skills could transfer and check out current rail vacancies. If you are an employer who wants to get involved with Routes into Rail and promote your opportunities to people interested in working in rail, email marketing@nsar.co.uk