YOUNG people in Fife are to be equipped with entry-level skills and qualifications to gain careers in the railway maintenance sector.
Network Rail is launching the Rail Skills Academy as part of its £116 million Levenmouth rail project, with the free nine-week course being delivered by QTS Training.
Based at the Fife Heritage Site, the academy will equip participants with the competencies, skills, and work experience required to thrive in the railway maintenance sector. Running full-time over nine weeks, it will cover subjects such as personal track safety, track induction, emergency first aid, manual handling, and small plant tools. Participants will then benefit from four weeks of on-site work experience.
People aged 18 and over are being invited to come along to an assessment day on Tuesday, August 1, which will allow them to find out more about the training and have informal discussions with the staff running the course. Registration is required, and can be done by emailing: QTSTraining@QTSGroup.com.
Network Rail said the academy comes as part of its drive to leave a lasting legacy in the area. It added that the course is fully accessible to anyone and Fife Council will support each participant with a £55 per week training allowance.
Kris Kinnear, Network Rail’s capital delivery director, said, “We are really excited to see this project launched in Levenmouth. Our site team are passionate about this and we are all looking forward to the assessment day on August 1.
“Helping to inspire the next generation, who may never have thought about a railway career, is a positive step.
“The rail industry continues to have a large work bank and our contractors are keen to strengthen their workforce. Training and employing local people is a great way to leave a legacy.”
Lorna Gibson, director of QTS Training, added, “Network Rail and its supply chain are creating initiatives to encourage young people into our industry. As a lead contractor working in this sector, QTS has been developing a range of programmes; apprenticeships, traineeships and graduate development to assist with this.
“The Levenmouth Skills Academy programme will bring opportunities for young people to be introduced to rail and to gain the qualifications, competencies and initial experience required to take the first step in a career in what is a thriving industry.”
Councillor Colin Davison, of Fife Council, said, “I am delighted to see the launch of the Levenmouth Rail Skills Academy. It’s great to see these opportunities become available to our community.
“There is much that our people can benefit from, and I would encourage anyone over the age of 18 to register their interest in the assessment day. It’s such a fantastic opportunity and I look forward to hearing the success stories.”
