Network Rail has signed an agreement with two civil engineering associations to develop a programme which will better equip civil engineers of the future.
The graduate development scheme will see Network Rail working with the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) and the Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) to create a cross industry programme of training and experience for civil engineer graduates.
The agreement was signed this week by Paul Clark, Network Rail’s senior programme engineering manager, Mike Cocks, CECA’s UK rail director, and ACE chairman Graham Nicholson, at The Infrastructure Show at the NEC in Birmingham.
The agreement will allow graduates working for Network Rail to spend time with other civil engineering organisations and vice versa, providing a cross industry level of experience.
Neil Thompson, Network Rail programme director for infrastructure investment, said:
“This agreement provides an excellent platform for our engineering graduates to gain cross industry experience, working with different organisations to develop their knowledge and skills.
“It will also help the future of the engineering industry and develop our business by providing better equipped, more knowledgeable engineers who will help to deliver a safer and better value for money railway for Britain.”
Mike Cocks, CECA UK rail director, said:
“With the whole ethos of the sector moving towards a more collaborative approach, the graduate development scheme is a perfect example of how the industry can work together to help produce better outcomes for the rail sector.
“We look forward to seeing the benefits from this approach flourish over time as more and more graduates get the opportunity to go through scheme.”
Graham Nicholson, ACE chairman, said:
“ACE is pleased to support this initiative. It provides more pathways to enter the industry, and is a clear example of clients and suppliers working together to promote the next generation of engineers.”
