Ibrahim’s Track to the Future career readiness journey
First impressions
When Ibrahim first heard about the Track to the Future programme, he wasn’t sure what to expect. Like many people, his understanding of the rail industry was limited to the customer service roles he might see, or imagine, at the station - platform staff, station supervisors, ticket inspectors and train drivers - maybe a few engineers working behind the scenes. He’d certainly never considered the idea he could have a career in the rail industry himself, one day.
But over four transformative workshops delivered by The Talent Foundry in partnership with RSSB and Arriva Rail London, Ibrahim’s perspective shifted dramatically.
The programme kicked off with an in-school workshop where students were introduced to project management and the vast array of careers within the rail industry. Working in teams, they tackled real-world challenges aligned with RSSB’s Sustainability Blueprint, brainstorming innovative solutions and learning how to plan and present their ideas.
Beyond the tracks - discovering the range of rail careers
Ibrahim started to realise that the railway industry isn’t just about trains. There’s engineering, logistics, data, planning - so many roles he’d never considered. It opened his eyes to how diverse and dynamic the sector really is.
There’s something for everyone in the railway industry
By the time Ibrahim participated in the visit to New Cross Gate Depot, he’d also found his voice.
Through collaborative tasks, supportive facilitators, and encouragement from Arriva Rail London volunteers, he learnt how to work in a team and became more confident about sharing his ideas - something he admits he wasn’t very good at doing previously. He learnt that asking questions is one of the most important things that anyone can do, and that he is more capable of handling pressure than he realised. Ibrahim also learnt to communicate clearly with others, and to step out of his comfort zone.
The importance of employee volunteers as postive role-models
The volunteers played a key role in this transformation. Their openness, warmth, and willingness to share their own journeys made a lasting impression. Ibrahim was particularly struck by the way in which volunteers included every student in the conversations and tasks. They were clearly passionate about what they were doing which made it easier for the students to stay focused and interested. He also felt reassured that many of the volunteers didn’t expect to be in the roles they are in today when they were his age, but are really happy with what they are doing.
By the final session at Arriva Rail’s London Administrative Office, Ibrahim was no longer the quiet observer. He was a confident contributor, presenting his team’s sustainability project to a panel of industry professionals. The experience didn’t just teach Ibrahim about rail - it taught him about himself. It gave him a broader view of the world of work and helped him see that one industry can hold many possibilities.
This programme enlightened me, and showed me how the real-world works. It helped me understand myself - and it might help you too.