An invitation to graduates wishing to fast-track a career in mechanical or electrical engineering with a British rail company has been issued by The Rail Delivery Group.
Graduates require no experience in rail prior to application for the Railway Engineering Graduate Scheme, however, an MEng or BEng issued by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers or the Institution of Engineering and Technology is required alongside a will to learn, work hard and as part of a team and of course ingenuity is always welcome.
The placements offer graduates an array of schemes which provide hands-on experience in both the UK and further afield, and will see candidates work towards Chartered Engineer status.
The Scheme focuses on the following areas of engineering:
- Aspects of maintenance
- Maintenance management
- Technical standards
- Project Engineering
- Contract management
- Vehicle overhaul
- Operations
- Engineering design.
2022 Saw 10 candidates take part in many of the graduate schemes by passenger and freight train operators, including:
The Railway Engineering Graduate Scheme does not require candidates to be recently graduated, just the degree.
To apply for one of the schemes, candidates can either apply directly to an operator scheme which will begin in September or via Rail Delivery Group, which can advise on where the schemes are available.
The scheme began in 2018 and since then 56 graduates have taken part with 22 becoming Chartered Engineers, which usually is a four-year process. A good number of graduates are still working through their Railway Engineering Graduate Scheme.
Jacqueline Starr, chief executive officer at the Rail Delivery Group, said:
“The success of REGS graduates proves why this first-class training is so vital to our industry. Not only in providing a dedicated career path but also in ensuring that the future of the industry is supported by the talented individuals that have been part of REGS.”
Jeena Gill, Production Manager, at South Western Railway, joined the Railway Engineering Graduate Scheme REGS in 2019, which gave additional benefits to her career.
Jeena said:
“It's the fact that a lot of industry know about the scheme and therefore are willing to help where possible
“My placement timings coincided with Covid lockdown but, with the help of the REGS team who are well respected in the industry, I secured a great placement. In 2022, I went on an industry exchange with Central Japan Railways who operate the trains in Tokyo and Osaka. It was a great learning experience and one I wouldn't have got without REGS.”
Stacy Thundercliffe, Head of Fleet and Engineering, Avanti West Coast joined the Railway Engineering Graduate Scheme in 2005 and saw it create a positive impact on her career.
Stacy said: “REGS exposed me to opportunities that I'd never have got otherwise.”
“It allowed me to become a Chartered Engineer and gave me a great foundation of experience. It helped me to go up that steep learning curve rapidly and even today I draw on experience I was exposed to in those early REGS years”.
Munira Somani, Senior Safety Business Partner at East Midlands Railway, has also benefited from the Railway Engineering Graduate Scheme.
Munira said:
“I was fortunate to have been part of the REGS scheme in 2005 when National Express had a number of franchises across the UK.”
“It can be difficult to gain experience of the different life cycles of the train from design, build, maintain, refurbish and decommission. The REGS scheme brings together a network of individuals, which means the graduate has opportunities to reach out to various companies and gain the necessary experience and exposure to all areas of asset management.
“It has given me an appreciation of the challenges of balancing costs, opportunities and risks against the desired level of performance.”
Neil Drury, Engineering and Infrastructure Director at South Western Railway joined the scheme in 2004 and feels that the Railway Engineering Graduate Scheme is essential to providing pathways for engineers, which in turn, will support the industry's growth.
Neil said:
“There aren't many graduate schemes around and there is a great need for them and that's why REGS is so important.”
“The REGS network provides invaluable advice and contacts with the added benefit of having mentors to talk to and identify opportunities. The rail industry is never dull, and it provides a practical environment for future engineers so perfect for those who like to get stuck in and get their hands dirty!”
