It’s the beginning of a new term and the time of year when schools like to introduce their students to different opportunities when applying for further education. This means lots of opportunities for us at Community Rail Lancashire to introduce young people to the many careers available in the rail industry. So far we have been invited to showcase careers to schools in Blackburn, Accrington and Crewe, with many more to come.

Think a career in rail is only about driving trains? Think again. The industry is packed with opportunities—from designing smarter stations and maintaining tracks to working in signalling, customer service, operations and digital technology. Whatever your interests, you could join a team that keeps millions of people and vital goods moving every day, while solving real-world problems and making a difference to communities.

You do not need years of experience to get started. Apprenticeships, college courses, graduate programmes and entry-level jobs can help you earn, learn and build valuable skills at the same time. Rail employers look for people who are reliable, curious, safety-conscious and ready to work as part of a team. Whether you see yourself out on the network, helping passengers at a station, working in a control centre or developing the technology of the future, your journey could start here.