Careers in Rail: Who’s Building The Future?
Adam Christopher, Co-Founder and Director at Active Training Team, reflects on the latest ATT podcast episode that explores rail as a career pathway for young people.
As someone who often talks with people who work in high-hazard industries, I’ve long been aware of the mounting challenge the rail sector faces when it comes to attracting and retaining new talent. But I never expected a career in rail to be so absent from the minds of so many young people unless they had a direct link to the sector.
In the latest episode of the ATT Podcast, I walked the streets of Manchester, Huddersfield and Leeds asking one simple question: Do young people consider a career in rail? Most of the answers I got were short and striking: “No.” “Never thought about it.” “I didn’t even know that was a thing.”
Making this episode gave me a front-row seat to a conversation that the entire rail industry needs to be having—and I suggest sooner rather than later. Four clear themes emerged along the way.
Young people simply aren’t considering rail
Across the board, it’s clear that rail isn’t top of mind—or even on the minds—of most young people. There’s a perception problem: rail is seen as outdated, limited, or only about driving trains. Few realise the vast opportunities in infrastructure, engineering, technology, planning, and leadership. One engineering student I met said it best: “People just think about the tracks and trains. But rail’s got commerce, connectivity—loads more.”
The message is clear: the industry needs to show up earlier and more creatively in the spaces where young people are making decisions about their futures.
Family is the entry pathway
When I visited rail construction sites, it was striking how many young people I met who had found their way into rail through family connections. Apprentices like Eva and Declan told me outright: if it weren’t for their dads working in the sector, they’d never have thought of it. Rail is being passed down like a trade—but what about the rest of the talent pool?
Relying on word-of-mouth or legacy ties limits the reach of the industry. What more can rail do to create equitable access to the full spectrum of careers rail has to offer?
Rail offers purpose, security and pride – but nobody’s telling that story
Despite some muddy boots and harsh weather, the apprentices and site managers I met genuinely love their work. Whether they’re building viaducts in Dewsbury or designing futureproof infrastructure throughout the rest of the country, there’s a real sense of purpose. This is work that lasts—bridges, tunnels, viaducts, stations that will stay long after they’re gone. And the sense of camaraderie and support on-site was palpable. And inspiring. I left the BAM Nuttall rail construction site with a real skip in my step.
I believe this pride and passion should be louder. We need to spotlight the people and stories that show rail as the rewarding, life-affirming, long-term career it can be.
The industry must show up in classrooms
Every young person I spoke to on the streets of Manchester, Huddersfield and Leeds told me the same thing: “There was no mention of a career in rail at school.” We cannot expect young people to aspire to what they’ve never been shown. To help young people learn about career opportunities in rail, outreach needs to be consistent, visible and engaging – especially in schools and communities that don’t have strong links to the industry. While companies like BAM Nuttal and Arup are doing schools outreach work, the question remains: why are so many young people still not being reached.
At ATT, this is something we care deeply about. Through our work at the TRUST Safety Leadership Centre in Huddersfield for the TransPennine Route Upgrade project for Network Rail, we help participants develop the behavioural and leadership skills needed to create safe, inclusive, future-ready workplaces. It also serves as a helpful reminder of what the minimal expectations are for how we interact with each other – especially for those who are new to the industry. This podcast episode reinforces how vital it is to support not just safety, but also sustainability—by investing in the people who will shape the future of this industry.
🎧Listen to the episode
This episode of the ATT Podcast isn’t just for those in rail—it’s for educators, recruiters, leaders, and anyone working in industries that depend on people. It’s about how we build a workforce for the future, and what we all need to do differently to make that happen.
Thanks for reading —and thanks to the brilliant teams at ARUP, Bam Nuttall and the TransPennine Route Upgrade project for their time, insight and honesty.
