Rail

The Rail Collaborate Skills Partnership (CSP) led by Shipley College is a partnership with other colleges in the Leeds City Region, including Kirklees College and Leeds College of Building. These regular meetings also welcome employers and industry bodies to help understand the rail industry skills needs and what provision needs to be created to fill gaps.

The Leeds City Region’s economy has undergone significant expansion and growth in recent years within the rail sector. In addition, with 28.3% of Yorkshire and the Humber’s rail workforce set to retire by 2030, it is crucial that colleges work with the rail industry to upskill existing and new employers.

The CSP has been working with universities in the region, such as The High-Speed Rail Institute led by the University of Leeds, to better understand what new technologies the sector faces and where gaps lie in the current training provision. In addition, partnering with NSAR (National Skills Academy for Rail), the CSP has been able to gain relevant reports on the region's workforce demand.

The CSP is keen to engage with employers so that we can use funding to develop training provision beneficial to the rail industry and offer opportunities to take part in fully funded pilots.