Amey’s practices director for rail James Andrews and people director Laura Simarro talk to Karen McLauchlan about the success of the company’s rail engineering degree apprenticeship.

Finding the right people with the right skills continues to be a challenge for industry.

But taking a proactive approach to creating the workforce of the future is reaping rewards for ACE member Amey.

Employing more than 12,000 across the UK and Ireland, the infrastructure solutions company tackled the skills gap head-on five years ago when it launched its rail engineering degree apprenticeship. A UK-first, developed in collaboration with Sheffield Hallam University, it marked a major milestone in the company’s commitment to developing the next generation of highly skilled engineers.

In April the first group of 30 students successfully completed the course, leaving with both a university-level degree qualification in rail engineering and the required skills to become registered incorporated engineers (I.Eng) with the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET).

The apprenticeship scheme was created as an alternative career pathway into rail engineering giving students the opportunity to specialise in several disciplines including civil and track, electrical and mechanical and signalling and telecoms engineering.

This earn-as-you-learn approach bridges the gap between academia and industry training, reinforcing Amey’s dedication to tackling the skills shortage within the sector.

Throughout the programme, students had the opportunity to work on some of the UK’s major infrastructure projects such as the Transpennine Route Upgrade - a multi-billion-pound programme of railway improvements between the Pennines and York - experiences rarely accessible at this stage in their careers.

James Andrews, practices director for rail at Amey, said: “We saw a real opportunity with the rail engineering degree apprenticeship to develop a pipeline of talented, highly skilled engineers who are trained specifically for the challenges and demands of the rail sector.

“It was very much about future-proofing our workforce – making sure we’re not only addressing current skills gaps but also building the expertise we’ll need for years to come. We took the opportunity to collaborate with Sheffield Hallam University and create a syllabus that provided bespoke learning and training required specifically for the railway sector.”  

Transport is at the core of Amey’s business, including rail, highways and energy transition and sustainability solutions. It is involved with projects across the country including Network Rail’s Development and Design Services Framework for the North and East of England, where it is helping modernise and future-proof rail networks.

It has expanded into the Irish market winning a contract with Roscommon County Council, to support local infrastructure development in Ireland.

Plus, it has been recognised for engineering excellence and the community-based outcomes of its work. This includes winning the Best Transport Project at ACE’s Consultancy and Engineering Awards for the Liverpool City Centre Connectivity scheme (LCCC), an initiative designed to revolutionise the way in which people travel in and around Liverpool City Centre.

Andrews says one of the “big advantages” of the rail training programme is how it opens doors for people from all backgrounds.

“Apprenticeships like this remove the barrier of university debt, giving individuals the chance to earn while they learn and start a professional career in engineering without that financial burden,” he explained. “That’s been important to us – attracting a more diverse range of candidates into our early careers positions and broadening the talent pool within the industry.

“It also gives us the ability to shape our future engineers with the exact skills and knowledge our business – and the wider rail sector needs. By the time they graduate, they’re already adding value, with practical experience and a deep understanding of how the industry works in practice.

“It’s about futureproofing and upskilling, but also about creating opportunities, driving diversity and ensuring we have engineers who are ready to hit the ground running in a fast-evolving sector.”

Laura Simarro, people director for Amey’s Consulting business, said the course gives trainees access to important sector skills from the off.

“Traditional university routes rarely include rail specific modules across their engineering disciplines,” she explained. “The rail engineering degree apprenticeship enables students to gain a good foundation in engineering with a view to then specialise in a specific discipline of their choice. Our degree apprenticeship gives participants an opportunity to pursue a career they may not have realised was available to them.”

Andrews said the response from recruits taking up the course had been “overwhelmingly positive”.

“For many of them, this programme represents a life-changing opportunity, a chance to gain a first-class education, hands-on experience and a clear pathway into a professional engineering career, all without the burden of student debt.

“A recent graduate reached out to me personally to say thank you. He’d completed the programme with a first-class honours degree, something he admitted he never thought possible when he first applied. Stories like that really highlight the impact this apprenticeship can have, not just professionally but personally too.

“It’s incredibly rewarding to see how the programme has empowered individuals to achieve things they didn’t think were within reach.”

The pioneering course has also attracted kudos across industry and won the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) award at the Rail Industry Supplier Excellence (RISE) Awards back in 2020.

Simarro added: “There’s a clear understanding that initiatives like this are vital for addressing skills shortages and bringing fresh, diverse talent into rail engineering. We’ve had positive feedback from our partners and peers who see this as a leading example of how to develop future-ready engineers in a way that’s sustainable and inclusive.

“The success of this first cohort has really set the benchmark for future programmes, and we’re proud that Amey is seen as a business that’s proactively investing in people and in the future of the rail sector.”

While the sector continues to face skills challenges, Andrews says “there’s never been a better time” to step into engineering.

“The sector is crying out for fresh talent, new ideas and diverse perspectives, and that creates huge opportunities for young people.

“Engineering is about solving problems, whether that’s designing sustainable transport systems, driving forward digital innovation, or helping communities become more connected and resilient. It’s a career where you can make a tangible difference.”

He says the growing range of pathways into the sector – such as its rail engineering degree apprenticeship – is making the sector more inclusive and diverse. But there is still work to be done.

“Like many infrastructure sectors, rail has traditionally struggled to attract a broad mix of candidates, particularly women and those from underrepresented backgrounds. At Amey, we’re very aware of this, and both we and the wider industry are working hard to change perceptions and break down barriers.

“We’re continuously looking at new ways to engage young people, whether that’s through outreach in schools and colleges, partnerships with organisations that promote STEM careers to young women and girls, or by offering alternative routes like apprenticeships that appeal to a wider audience.

“The good news is that progress is being made, but there’s still work to do. The key is making sure people understand that engineering offers exciting, meaningful careers, and that it’s a space where everyone, regardless of background, can thrive and succeed.”