Careers focus planned for Railtex 2013

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Railtex 2013 will feature a dedicated careers event designed to give students and graduates an introduction to the rail industry.

The programme – ‘Rail – The Next Generation’ – will provide participants with a tour of the exhibition, including meetings with companies that have agreed to discuss their activities and possible career paths, hands-on demonstrations of technical equipment, and seminars on rail industry innovation and research opportunities.

Running throughout the final day of Railtex, on May 2, the programme is supported by the National Skills Academy for Railway Engineering (NSARE) and Young Railway Professionals (YRP).

Among exhibitors that have already confirmed their participation are Invensys Rail, Rittal, Schneider Electric, Signalling Solutions, telent and Topcon.

Exhibition manager Heidi Cotsworth said: “This initiative is set against a recognised need to bridge the skills gap in the rail industry – to provide the skills and knowledge that is vital to deliver the rail system that the country needs. With such a large number of companies who cover a broad range of engineering disciplines, Railtex will offer graduates and students a unique opportunity to learn more about the rail industry, the skills it needs as well as the fantastic career progression opportunities.”

Gil Howarth, chief executive of NSARE, said: “At a time of unprecedented investment in the railways, the  industry needs to recruit 10.000 railway engineering apprentices, technicians and graduates over the next five years.  The exhibition will showcase exciting career opportunities with companies which are at the forefront of technological advancement.”

‘Rail – The Next Generation’ at Railtex is free to join but places are extremely limited. Enquiries should be sent to [email protected].uk

There will also be a recruitment wall where exhibitors will be able to advertise their current skills needs, plus an informal networking opportunity at which those taking part will be able to meet other young people considering a career in the rail industry.

Paul Cooper, chairman of the Young Railway Professionals, added: “The rail industry needs to recruit and train a new generation of young people if it is to support the development, expansion and maintenance of a first-class, cost effective, 21st Century railway.

“One of the key ambitions of the Young Railway Professionals is to open the eyes of young people to the career opportunities available in rail. The YRP is therefore pleased to support, via its Railway Ambassadors, the Next Generation initiative at Railtex 2013.”

More than 400 companies will be exhibiting at Railtex ‘13, which takes place at Earls Court 2 in London from April 30 to May 2. It is the UK’s leading rail event, with participants ranging from major international firms to SMEs providing highly-specialised products and services. There will also be an extensive range of additional features.

The show is organised by Mack Brooks Exhibitions, which also runs the Infrarail series of rail infrastructure events in the UK.

Internationally, the company’s rail technology exhibitions include EXPO Ferroviaria in Italy, Exporail in Russia, Exporail India and SIFER in France.

For more information on NSARE visit www.nsare.org

For more information on YRP visit www.youngrailwayprofessionals.org

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