13 November 2025 Cross-sector collaboration in the rail industry
Drawing on our experience of collaborative working, our Chief Executive, Jenni Anderson, has contributed to the November edition of Rail Professional Magazine discussing the benefits of cross-industry collaboration – for young people, staff and employers.
Bringing in a new generation
The Talent Foundry (TTF), a social mobility charity, began working with partners in the rail industry in 2020. Since then, we’ve worked with Network Rail, RSSB, and 13 rail companies, delivering industry-focused programmes that inspire young people from under-served areas.
Our initiatives, including Track to the Future and Lightbulb Moments, offer practical, hands-on workshops in schools and at various rail sites, helping students build confidence, employability skills, and awareness of rail careers. We provide a framework for meaningful exposure to the workplace and interactions with professionals, who share their inspiring career journeys and advice. Our collaborations in the rail industry address key workforce gaps, with only 6.3% of rail workers being under 25, as well as promoting diversity in a predominantly white, male sector.
Volunteering plays a key role in what we offer students, with nearly 1,000 hours contributed by industry professionals between 2023 and 2025. Their support has reached over 3,000 students, helping to build key networking skills and inspire through shared stories and career journeys. It’s a two-way street, and volunteers also gain valuable mentoring experience and gain knowledge of local barriers to success. Employers, in turn, benefit from stronger community ties and the building of local talent pipelines. Feedback from students, educators, and volunteers highlights the transformative impact of the programmes, with 93% of students reporting increased career awareness.
Our rail partnerships have generated an estimated £864,706 in social value and continue to expand, with new collaborators joining each year. By effectively bridging the gap between education and employment, TTF and its partners are shaping a more inclusive, skilled rail industry and empowering young people to make informed decisions about their futures and believe in their potential.
RSSB featured the work we do together in their 2025 Sustainable Rail Progress Report, launched yesterday (12 Nov) as part of their Sustainable Rail Blueprint. It focuses on our collaborative approach to tackling social mobility in England and Wales, which won Gold at the 2025 Corporate Engagement Awards.