Events

Explore your future in rail!

  In collaboration with key rail industry partners, we are offering an exclusive work experience programme aimed at 16 year-olds Date: 28 July - 1 August 2025,  (the programme will take place during Summer Holidays) Time: 09:30 – 15:30 Location: Birmingham (multiple locations)

• • Gain hands-on insights into real projects and discover how we work together to keep the UK’s railway running smoothly.

• Engage with industry experts from engineering, digital and data, project management, and environmental teams.
• Participate in interactive tasks to bring the learning to life.
• Enhance your employability through bite-sized sessions on career pathways and future opportunities, which will include CV and interview guidance.
• Experience an off-site visit to see our work in action first-hand!

Let your curiosity lead the way—explore new opportunities and discover how your interests can shape an exciting future in the rail industry! To apply, please fill out this form. Applications close 2 July 2025. Spaces are limited so apply now!

Are you a woman interested in exploring a rewarding career in the rail industry? Look no further! This two-week initiative, run by Network Rail and TransPennine Express, offers an incredible opportunity for participants to receive free training and work placements in the North West area. Date: 16-27 June 2025 Time: 10:00-14:00 each day Location: Manchester, successful applicants will have to arrange transport to and from Manchester Piccadilly station each day For: Women aged 18+ who may have had a career break, been on maternity leave, encountered redundancy or are looking for a career change

• Spend a day with our dynamic social media and communications team.
• Work at a bustling station and learn more about our customer service roles.
• Experience a day in the life of a signaller and take a tour around our Rail Operating Centre.
• Get to learn what it’s like to be a train driver, using our state-of-the-art virtual reality simulator.
• Spend time with our valuable engineering teams and see what work they do.
• Enhance your employability skills with sessions on CV writing, interview tips and personal brand.
• Plus much more!

Apply here! Applications close 18 May.

The Colas Rail UK Swindon Office will host an open door event exclusively for women, because rail is for women too! Join Colas Rail UK to:

• Listen to industry insights.
• Find out about career opportunities in the railway.
• Take part in interactive workshops designed to show you a typical rail environment.

See how there is a place in rail for everyone! Register here. Holly and Rebecca are Tamper Drivers for Colas Rail UK – watch their story.

Join rail industry employers for this webinar to find out about opportunities and how to apply for apprenticeships in rail.

• Ready to build the future of rail?
• Want to learn skills that keep the nation moving?
• From project management to engineering to train driving – join us to learn more!

Date: 19 February 2025 Time: 10:00 Register here.

Rail needs tens of thousands more professionals over the coming years to keep up with passenger demand and government investment. Be a part of the next generation of the rail industry! Routes into Rail is an initiative run by the rail industry to provide advice and information on the wide range of careers offered in the rail industry. The rail industry is so much more than train drivers and station personnel. Whether you want to work in IT, engineering, business, sustainability – or driving trains! – there’s a route into rail for you. Join us for this 15-minute webinar to find out more about rail careers and how to get started. It will consist of fun and informative videos (including a ‘day in the life’ with a young rail apprentice), a myth-busting quiz and an opportunity to ask questions. It is aimed at GCSE and A-level students but will also be suitable for a younger audience. Find out about:

• Rail careers you might not have considered.
• Different entry pathways and the grades you’ll need.
• Apprenticeships.
• Work experience.
• Salaries in rail.
• Diversity in rail.

The webinar will also be recorded and available to watch after the event.

Colas Rail are hosting a Rail Open day for girls & women. Welcoming anyone in education and career returners. Join Colas on the 4th April 2024 at Fairgate House for what will be a great opportunities available! Main Point of Contact: Jyoti Ghai – Jyoti.ghai@colasrail.com

More details to come closer to the date...

Come and visit the Routes into Rail stall at UCAS Discover London 2023. We will be at Stand J (near the UCAS stand).