Eleven young people are now ready to jump-start their careers in the rail industry.

This comes after the first programme of the QTS Rail Skills Academy in East Kilbride was successfully completed.

The Rail Skills Academy, which kicked off its first session in July 2024, is delivered by QTS Training on behalf of Network Rail, with support from South Lanarkshire Council.

Running for 10 weeks, the programme provided a mix of classroom learning and hands-on track work experience.

The programme provided a mix of learning styles (Image: Supplied) The graduates were presented with their certificates at a special event held at East Kilbride Football Club, which was attended by the Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Fiona Hyslop.

Based at the East Kilbride Enhancement Project site, the academy forms part of the legacy programme for the project.

The course aimed to equip the graduates with the required competencies, experience, and skills to thrive in the railway maintenance sector.

This included a focus on employability and core skills, health and safety, track safety and track induction, and the SQA Level 4 Practical Skills for Employment qualification.

The graduation celebration also featured a speed recruitment event, with potential employers providing interviews for the young graduates.

Graduates were equipped with important skills (Image: Supplied) Companies that took part included QTS, Story Contracting, AmcoGiffen, SPL Powerlines, and Network Rail.

Lorna Gibson, director of QTS Training, said: "We are so incredibly proud of the young people who have grasped this opportunity with both hands.

"They have worked so hard over these ten weeks and to see them grow and develop has been a very rewarding experience.

"Thanks to our partnership with South Lanarkshire Council and Network Rail, we have been able to give them the chance to start their careers within rail, while also working to bridge the skills gap that currently exists within our industry.

"This is the eighth Rail Skills Academy that we have run and I’m so proud of the fact that we have a 97 per cent employment rate, which I am sure will continue after today’s event."

The Rail Skills Academy has a high employment rate (Image: Supplied) Liam Sumpter, managing director at Network Rail Scotland, said: "This is a proud moment for the trainees and the East Kilbride Enhancement project, where Network Rail along with our contractor partners have provided invaluable support throughout the training.

"Part of the project’s ambition is to encourage the next generation of railway workers.

"Our industry is always looking to add and foster talent, and the Rail Skills Academy is a great way for young people to see if the railway is the place for them to pursue a career in an exciting industry that is a major employer and makes a significant contribution of up to £1.3bn each year to Scotland’s economy."