Morson International, one of the UK’s leading recruitment organisations, has launched an educational hub in a bid to combat the widening skills gap prevalent in the rail industry.
Morson International, a global recruitment firm specialising in engineering, has launched a new online hub in a bid to educate young adults on the wide range of opportunities available in the rail industry. The project, aptly named ‘Tracks to Success’, attempts to inspire a new generation of recruits in the rail sector, as data continues to highlight the industry’s growing skills gap.
Gary Smithson, Associate Director at Morson International, specialising in the rail and automotive technical division, said: “As an older generation of rail professionals prepares for retirement, a new, young workforce is needed to take their place. A large proportion of this workforce will be made up of apprentices and university graduates, providing enough young people are interested in a career in rail. Education and encouragement is key to bringing in the next generation.”
‘Tracks to Success’ showcases the various routes into rail in a unique format. An interactive rail map highlights the qualifications and experience necessary for certain rail positions, providing a comprehensive vision into what a career in rail can look like.
With considerable investment in rail over the next decade, a report from The Office of Rail and Road highlights that thousands of workers will be needed to support the growing number of projects planned in the UK. The report found that by 2020, 900 engineering and technical workers will be required to fulfil positions in conventional rail, while high speed rail will need 7,200. Signalling and electrification in particular are experiencing an increasing skills shortage.
Combatting the perceptions of the rail industry, ‘Tracks to Success’ showcases the benefits of working in rail and provides a wealth of valuable information for new starters, apprentices and current rail workers.
Gary explains: “The variety of opportunities available, as well as the multitude of benefits that come with them, needs to be properly communicated to young people. With a number of major development projects on the horizon, such as Crossrail and HS2, there’s never been a more exciting time to join the industry.”
