Engineering news
The industry needs between 7,000 and 12,000 extra people each year for the next five to 10 years to cope with the retirements and a skills shortfall, according to a new report from City & Guilds and the National Skills Academy for Rail (NSAR).
Released ahead of the long anticipated National Infrastructure Strategy next week, which is expected to announce major rail infrastructure projects, the Back on Track report includes findings from YouGov research and NSAR data on 242,000 rail industry workers.
“Serious systemic issues in the industry’s talent and skills pipeline have created a shortage of trained and talented employees just when the industry needs them most,” a press release said. “While the industry has made progress in addressing these issues – which include a short-term approach to skills development, an ageing workforce and a reliance on overseas and ‘third tier’ workers – greater industry collaboration is needed to fix them in time to meet this additional demand.”
The research found that the rail sector is set to lose “huge” numbers of skilled workers over the next few years. With 28% aged over 50, about 15,000 could be due to retire by 2025. Brexit will exacerbate the issue, the research found, potentially reducing access to overseas workers. The proportion of EU workers in the rail sector dropped from 17% to 15% from 2016 to 2018, and the decline is expected to continue.
The skills shortfall and new rail projects will heighten demand for skills, the report said. Between 7,000 and 12,000 additional people will reportedly be required every year over the next five to ten years – up to 120,000 people in total. Peak demand is expected around 2025, so people need to be recruited now.
The report also highlighted diversity and inclusion issues. Just 16% of the workforce is female and only 24% of women would consider a career in rail, compared to 41% of men. The sector is more popular with older people – 26% of 18-24-year-olds said they would consider a career in rail, compared to 39% of 35-44-year-olds.
“Unless government, employers and industries work together to urgently address these issues, they risk scuppering this golden opportunity,” said Martin Hottass, managing director of technical training at City & Guilds Group.
NSAR CEO Neil Robertson said: “As we look to invest in new talent to fill future skills gaps in the rail industry, it’s also clear that we can use this opportunity improve social mobility across the UK. By hiring people from different backgrounds and regions and providing them with quality skills and career progression, we can ensure that these infrastructure projects not only create jobs, but also promote positive socioeconomic change.”
The full report is available here.
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