Students at Derby College have been learning about the broad career opportunities available to them in the region’s rail industry.

Students from Travel and Tourism, IT, A level, Applied Science and Business were amongst those invited to a careers day organised by Derby College at the Roundhouse campus.

The event was the latest led by the College’s Rail Employment and Skills Academy in partnership with the Rail Forum East Midlands, which represents over 150 rail related businesses across the East Midlands.

Engineering students at the College are already benefiting from a programme of guest speakers, workplace visits and work experience but the Academy was keen to highlight the broader range of career opportunities available in the industry.

Employers involved in the day included Progress Rail, Atkins, Resonate, DB ESG and the University of Sheffield who talked to the students about their work and careers and organised workshop activities.

Debbie Keegan, Derby College’s Assistant Director – Work Experience said: “The Rail Employment and Skills Academy is already bringing together our Engineering students and major employers in the region to bridge the gap between education and the workplace and address skills shortages in the industry.

“This event has broadened the focus of our work with this vital industry in the local and regional economy and was designed to show our students the diverse range of career opportunities available in rail companies.

“It was a huge success and we are very grateful to these companies who brought the subject to life with activities and talks.”

Morven Harrison, Principal Engineer at Progress Rail in Sandiacre was among the employers involved in the day.

She said: “It has been fascinating working with students in these other curriculum areas as the rail industry is in desperate need of a wide range of skills – particularly related to Business and IT.”