Rail
As an industry , it feels like the skills shortage is something we ’ ve been talking about for a while . ‘ Talking ’ being the key word . While that ’ s fantastic because it means that we ’ re all working together to raise awareness of the issue , and there ’ s universal agreement that it ’ s a problem , time is of the essence if we ’ re going to ‘ fill the gaps ’ that are coming .
In 2019 , a report by City & Guilds and National Skills Academy for Rail ( NSAR ) predicted up to 120,000 additional people within the rail industry would be required by 2030 , with a demand for skills peaking around 2025 .
One of the problems with statistics that concern the future - not just in rail but wherever you find them - is the temptation to think , “ ah , 2030 , that ’ s ages away .” Especially when more pressing issues like rising living costs and energy crises loom over us . But 2030 isn ’ t as far away as we ’ d like to think . It has been four years since the City & Guilds and NSAR report was published - are we any further to solving the skills conundrum ?
The government has announced ‘ record investment plans for the transport network ’, including rail . The question is , will the rail industry have the workforce to deliver on these plans ? I ’ m confident it will , as long as there is a turnaround to the skills shortfall .
Luckily , seven years is enough time to do something if we act now and encourage younger generations - or those with transferable skills - to enter the sector .
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