Gloucestershire College and Betaris Training are training the next generation of skilled railway workers, with a free course starting in January.

The rail track maintenance course will start on Monday January 31 at Dean Forest Railway.

The eight-week course will provide students with essential track maintenance knowledge and practical skills, along with experience and expectations of the situations they could face in a rail maintenance job role.

This course has been specifically developed to meet the needs of the rail engineering sector.

Demand for skilled workers in the industry is set to soar, in the light of the announcement of multiple major rail infrastructure projects across the UK, as well as concerns over the loss of skills faced by the industry over the next few years due to its ageing workforce.

Estimates suggest that 28 per cent of current rail industry employees are aged over 50. City & Guilds predicts that an additional 120,000 people will be required in the sector over the next five to 10 years to fulfil the requirements of upcoming schemes.

The course is suitable for anyone who is aged 24 or over and looking for a career in the rail industry. It is free of charge for anyone who is unemployed, seeking work, generally fit and healthy and able to commit to daily attendance.

The initial course is delivered full time over six weeks, where students will gain their City & Guilds NVQ Level 2 diploma in rail engineering track maintenance, and a Level 2 certificate in rail engineering. This is then then followed by a 10-day practical course in safety critical training.

Throughout the course, students will benefit from a mix of both practical and theory lessons, where they will create a portfolio and complete practical-based assessments. They will learn about a range of topics, including the ins and outs of routine maintenance, and engineering and maintenance technology.

On successful completion of the course, students will work with a sponsor who manages their Sentinel Card, a passport to start work on rail infrastructure.

For more information, and to apply, click here. Contact the Betaris team on 01452 751004, or email info@betaristraining.com.