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Unite welcomes national skills academy for railway engineering

19th November 2009

Unite, Britain's biggest union, has welcomed today's announcement from Andrew Adonis, secretary of state for transport, that he strongly supports the establishment of a 'National Skills Academy for railway engineering' (NSARE).

A new national skills academy for railway engineering would focus on the development of engineering skills and set standards specific to the railway industry, and appropriate to all levels, from artisans to all-round industry senior managers.

Unite, alongside record producer and railway enthusiast Pete Waterman, are champions of the new academy. Unite believes it would be a significant step forward in closing the skills gap in engineering and addressing the increasing age profile of the workforce. There are 100,000 people currently employed in the railway engineering sector.

Bob Rixham, Unite national officer for railways, said: "The establishment of a skills academy for railway engineering would be significant step towards closing the skills gap in engineering and addressing the age profile of the workforce.

“Unite has campaigned for an engineering academy for the rail sector and we are delighted that we have the support of the Labour government. A skills academy would be an important gateway for young people to enter this fantastic industry."

"The rail industry has failed to invest in skills for the future. We face a huge skills gap in engineering, the lack of apprentice training means the average age of railway engineers is over 50 years of age in many parts of the country."

The bid for the creation of a rail academy is one of a number of bids from various industry sectors that the government will consider. If the bid is successful the NSARE would provide a gateway into railway engineering for young people, equipping them with practical and academic skills to prepare them for a career in the rail engineering industry. The NSARE would also establish and improve standards across railway engineering.

ENDS

Contact: Ciaran Naidoo on 07768 931 315