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.