Rail industry and Birmingham college unite to develop future engineers

A partnership between the rail industry in the West Midlands and a Birmingham college has been launched to help develop engineers of the future.

Network Rail and West Midlands Railway have joined forces with South & City College Birmingham to enhance the learning for students completing their Level 1 and Level 2 engineering qualifications, bringing real-world railway experience into their studies.

The partnership will give around 55 students a real-life insight into the rail industry and help prepare them for future apprenticeships and careers. As well as learning more about railway engineering, students will benefit from career and professional development support, including CV writing and coaching for job interviews.

The initiative has been facilitated by local MP Laurence Turner and was formally launched at a special event yesterday (Wednesday). Representatives from the rail industry met with students, teachers and college staff to celebrate the launch, with introductions, speeches, and an opportunity for students to meet and speak to people already working in the industry.

Students also heard from former Network Rail apprentices Dan Taylor and Adam Johnson, who now have full-time careers working at Network Rail's Sandwell & Dudley Delivery Unit.

Adam Johnson, a section manager for signals and telecoms, said: “The railway has been a great place for me to learn new things and build my career. I work with great people and can’t wait to continue developing personally and professionally in this exciting industry. I would recommend working on the railway to anyone who is interested.”

Laurence Turner, MP for Birmingham Northfield, said: "It has been a privilege to help facilitate this initiative. It’s an exciting time to work in the rail sector, and this apprenticeship scheme represents an invaluable opportunity for students at South & City College Birmingham.

“These apprenticeships will provide young people with practical experience and industry-recognised skills. It’s proof that the investment in rail in Birmingham is benefitting areas like Longbridge and Northfield. I'd like to thank both Network Rail and South & City College Birmingham for their fantastic work and their investment in the future."

Denise Wetton, integrated managing director for GBR West Midlands, said: “I’m really passionate about bringing the next generation of engineers into the railway and making sure we create clear pathways for local people to build great careers in our industry.

“Working with key local partners like South & City College Birmingham gives us a real opportunity to support jobs and skills in the West Midlands, while building a railway workforce that better reflects the communities we serve.

“I was genuinely impressed by the students and the insightful questions they asked. Their enthusiasm for engineering really came through, and it made me even more excited about what this partnership can achieve.”

Mike Hopkins MBE, principal & CEO at South & City College Birmingham, said: “We are excited to enter this partnership to help our students prepare for their careers. We have some fantastic future engineers in our classrooms and workshops, and this opportunity will help them develop and grow so they are better prepared and ready for their next steps into the world of work.

"The launch marks the start of what will be an ongoing partnership between the college and the rail industry, bringing industry experience and insight into students’ learning and helping create clearer pathways into engineering apprenticeships and future careers.

"The partnership will continue to complement the college’s existing engineering courses, giving students opportunities to learn more about the railway, hear directly from people working in the industry and develop the wider skills and confidence that will help them take their next steps."

To find out more about apprenticeships and careers with Network Rail, visit Apprenticeships - Network Rail

For more information about South & City College Birmingham, visit Home - South and City College Birmingham

To plan and check journeys, visit The official source for trains in Great Britain | National Rail