Network Rail

Track to the Future

A four-part meaningful work experience programme where mentors from Network Rail support students through a series of sessions exploring the rail industry. The programme aims to introduce students to an exciting range of careers they may not have considered before.

  • KS5
    S5
    S6
    Year 12
    Year 13
    England
    Wales
    Scotland
    • 20 students
    • 4 x 3-hour workshops
    • Nationwide
    • Free
  • What's involved?

    Students complete real-life tasks in response to an employer brief - to plan, design and deliver a new multi-million-pound train station. Students will focus on either the project management, engineering or technological skills required to complete the task.

    Students will develop key transferable skills, linked to the Skills Builder Framework, including problem solving and creativity, while also learning about Network Rail competencies including accountability, collaboration and responding to challenging situations.

    Depending on which skill the students are focusing on (Engineering, Project Management or Technology) they will explore things like responding to a legal and property challenge to their design, creating a communications plan for stakeholders, completing a Diversity Impact Assessment, close call reporting and developing a project schedule.

    For all skills areas, students will learn about how to make an effective presentation before planning and delivering a speech about their project, building their speaking skills.

    Even the less confident students were encouraged to get involved in the tasks. The students were pushed outside their comfort zone ... and I could see how much their confidence had grown from the first session to the last. Teacher

    Who's this suitable for?

    This programme is available to students in Year 12 - 13, or S5 - S6 in Scotland.

    We're focused on ensuring the participation of under-represented groups including women and young people from an ethnic minority background.

    At least 50% of the students from each school should be women, and there should be strong representation of young people from an ethnic minority background.

    One member of school staff to support each session, completing and submitting the relevant booking form and ensuring that all students attend all sessions.

    Where is this delivered?

    This programme is delivered in school, as well as at the Network Rail offices.

    Gatsby benchmarks

    Gatsby benchmark 2

    Learning from career and labour market information

    Gatsby benchmark 4

    Linking curriculum learning to careers

    Gatsby benchmark 5

    Encounters with employers and employees

    Gatsby benchmark 6

    Experiences of workplaces

    Make an enquiry

    Step 1 - Phone our Schools Engagement Team

    Phone our Schools Engagement Team on 0207 148 0934 to check eligibility*.

    *Places are allocated on a ‘first come first served’ basis to schools in our target cohort (higher than average numbers of pupils eligible for pupil premium funding).

    Step 2 - Submit an online enquiry

    Make an online enquiry