The Levenmouth Rail Link project has launched its Rail Skills Academy and is looking for young people in Fife to participate.
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 and delivered by QTS training, the course has been designed to equip young people with the entry-level skills and certificates to gain employment in the world of rail.
Subjects covered in the five weeks of free training include personal track safety, track induction and one-day certificates in emergency first aid, manual handling and small plant and tools. The 12 participants will then benefit from four weeks of on-site work experience.
As part of the £116 million Scottish Government funded project to reconnect Leven to the mainline rail network with direct trains to Edinburgh, the project is keen to leave a legacy and encourage the next generation of railway workers to start their careers.
With support from Fife Council in the form of a £55 per week training allowance to each participant, this course is fully accessible to anyone looking to begin a career on Scotland’s Railway.
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 1 August.
“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 said: “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.”
Image credit: Network Rail
