With the New Year here and new careers on the cards for many, it’s important to stay in the loop with the modern demands, trends, and expectations that are shaping the rail industry today, and be aware of what candidates can expect to see in the coming years.
Employers are now increasingly more interested in finding individuals with highly-specialised skills tailored to specific projects. As challenges like growing skills shortages, technological advancements, and tighter project timelines continue to guide the industry and costs, the demand for skilled professionals is set to continuing rising – especially with current and future Control Period 7 (CP7) projects and HS2 frameworks being awarded. Competition for top talent is expected to rise more than ever.
So, how can you stand out in today’s rail industry? Here’s a look at the industry’s key recruitment trends and the skills that will help get you noticed.
Client expectations
Rail clients are increasingly looking for more specialised skills. As the sector embraces advanced and greener technologies, demand is growing for niche expertise, particularly with a focus on digital technologies, sustainability, and environmental careers.
Large-scale infrastructure initiatives are set to drive investment and reshape the landscape of UK rail, significantly increasing the demand for skilled professionals who can support high-profile projects focused on capacity, safety, and modernisation.
Whether it’s AI-driven systems or digital technologies, clients want candidates who can help not only support but modernise the rail industry. The industry is looking for a huge amount of cross-sector and diverse skillsets not only within but also outside of rail, as well as developing skills from within. As the industry continues to adapt to these modern trends, it’s becoming increasingly important to have the right skills rather than experience. But with this, also comes large competition not just from other rail companies but other attractive and technically advanced industries which are also looking for individuals with similar skillsets.
Another key trend is quicker hiring turnarounds. With tighter project timelines, the pressure to fill positions has increased with large-scale initiatives driving rapid developments in rail infrastructure. To meet these needs, many recruitment strategies now focus on proactive talent pooling to ensure quick, quality placements which involves proactively identifying and engaging with a network of fully-qualified candidates, so they’re ready to be placed as soon as a suitable role arises.
Finally, compliance remains a top priority, especially for safety-critical roles. With changing safety regulations, clients expect candidates to not only meet technical requirements but also be fully compliant with rail safety standards and certifications – a core part of our and many other companies’ vetting process.
Responding to a changing industry
As client expectations evolve, the rail industry is adapting to meet the growing demand for specialised skills. Responding to industry demands, companies are continuously analysing and re-structuring strategic plans, putting permanent heads first and career plans in place, as well as promoting within. When it comes to contracting, they then look at here-and-now delivery to manage continuously changing project demands and improving adaptability – requiring an agile and flexible approach to hiring.
Future outlook
As rail projects continue to drive investment, the demand for specialised skills will only grow. The focus on decarbonisation and technological advancements will prioritise candidates with expertise in green energy, digital systems, and complex engineering solutions.
Alongside technical expertise, clients will seek candidates who can adapt to the fast pace of large-scale projects while staying on track with sustainability goals. Recruitment will focus on proactive talent pooling and long-term workforce planning to meet the growing demand for skilled professionals. Hybrid and flexible work models, especially in digitalisation and rail modernisation, will continue to expand as technology plays a larger role in the sector.
Preparing for the future
To stay competitive, align your skills with industry trends. Gain expertise in areas like digital design, AI systems, and green technologies through relevant training and certifications.
With sustainability a top priority in the industry, particularly in projects like HS2, understanding green energy, environmental regulations, and decarbonisation technologies will give you an advantage. Stay informed by reading industry publications, visiting official websites, and following updates from regulatory bodies and other relevant publications to your industry.
Identifying your skills is key – take time to assess your strengths, technical expertise, and transferable skills. Build a broad skill set to work across various projects and sectors. It also helps to review your current or previous job roles and pick out the five most important achievements and back it up with statistics and evidence – clients want to hear about how you successfully delivered a technically challenging project to budget, not who you know in the rail industry.
Finally, use your recruiter as a trusted career advisor. They’re not just there to offer you the latest opportunities but to share helpful industry insights and advice. CVs are always difficult to complete but at Advance TRS we have a team of experienced consultants that can help you put together and highlight all the main skills necessary for your next career while providing all the guidance needed on skill development, so you’re positioned to succeed in the evolving rail industry.
Looking to switch careers?
If you are looking to move careers, contact Advance TRS. We are a niche recruitment consultancy specialising in the provision of highly skilled technical professionals with plenty of permanent and contract roles – our team at Advance TRS is characterised by deep knowledge and extensive experience in the sectors we recruit for and we’re here to help!
Tel: 01483 361061
www.advance-trs.com
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