Rail Skills Academy

The Rail Skills Academy was created by QTS and East Ayrshire Council to engage enthusiastic young people, aged 18 to 24 years, to join Scotland’s first Rail Skills Academy. The Academy, which is being delivered by QTS Training and funded through the Council's Young Person Guarantee programme, will help to combat the skills shortage and lack of diversity in the rail industry. With over 48% of railway workers aged 50 or over and women making up just 16% of the current workforce, action is being taken to create a knowledgeable, diverse and qualified workforce for the future.  

This training has already allowed two groups of young people the opportunity to gain recognised railway competencies, including PTS and Track Induction as well as health & safety, small tools and first aid. Participants completed five weeks of classroom training as well as four weeks of on site work experience, designed to equip them with the understanding of the industry. They have now moved on to rewarding roles within the rail industry with some securing positions at QTS.

 

 

What you need to know

Trainees attending the Rail Skills Academy receive a £55 per week training allowance, together with lunch subsistence. Transport is also arranged where required to assist with travel to the QTS HQ at Drumclog, Lanarkshire.

The Rail Skills Academy is open to anyone aged 18-24 who lives within the East Ayrshire area, with no formal training or experience required. QTS is currently working with other areas in Ayrshire to hopefully open up entry to the Academy to a wider group.

 

Get in touch

For more information on future Skills Academy programmes you can contact Jane McFadzean and follow QTS Training on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter. 

Contact
  • Sandy Obrien

    Sandy is currently working with our Scotland civils team and has gained experience working with the site team on things like embankment regrades and drainage works as a general operative. 

    • Case Study
  • Curtis Murray

    Curtis joined our Scotland drainage team fresh from his Rail Skills Academy graduation! He's been able to get some great hands-on experience at a few of our sites cleaning pipes with high pressure water, ready for our cameras to carry out a survey.   

    • Case Study
    • Case Study
  • Jamie Fulton

    Jamie is working with the civils & geotechnical team after finishing the Rail Skills Academy. He’s been learning about concrete cloth, cess drainage and regrades and to understand their function and role in protecting the rail infrastructure. 

    His first job out of the academy was laying cloth in a 300-metre ditch to allow water to drain away correctly, this prevents water sitting under the track which could cause landslides or movement of the track. 

    • Case Study
  • Luke McCoy

    Luke is working with our arbor team and was stationed at a few different sites follwing his completion of the Rail Skills Academy including Wemyss Bay and Elderslie. The team have been impressed with his work and Luke has been enjoying the new experience.

    • Case Study
    • Case Study
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