Accross transforms disused land into rail training opportunity

By Scott Dawson Advertising

07 Dec 2022

A new and unique opportunity to get unemployed adults into well-paid rail careers is coming to Accrington and Rossendale College.

Accrington and Rossendale College, which received an Outstanding rating from its latest Ofsted inspection, is offering a unique and exciting new rail maintenance and repair course after transforming disused land into a functional and real-to-life rail track.

The Railway Maintenance Programme (the first of its kind in Lancashire) is an eight-week course, which runs Monday to Friday and is aimed at fast-tracking unemployed adults aged 19+ into well-paid, skilled careers for life within the rail industry.

Based at Accrington & Rossendale College, the brand new railway track is a unique learning tool - a first of its kind for the area. Classroom learning will also be vital to the course, and is set to take place at Lancashire Adult Learning, Brierfield.

Those enrolling on the course will learn the fundamentals of rail track maintenance needed to obtain a successful career on the rail, be introduced to the typical operations of rail, as well as developing an extensive skill set to carry out various roles within the rail industry.

The practical element of the programme will see learners visit a specially designed railway maintenance track, based at Accrington & Rossendale College, where they will partake in a number of activities including changing sleepers and repairing the railway track.

Also included in the course is a full set of Network Rail approved PPE, a Network Rail approved medical, basic hand tools training, first aid and manual handling, plus much more.

Tom Gee, head of curriculum for employability, volunteering and skills, said: “This is the fastest opportunity for learners who are 18-19+ to move from unemployment into a skilled profession.

“There’s a six-week NVQ which takes in all the theory and the practical, before learners move onto the Personal Track Safety (PTS) and Track Induction Course (TIC) in order to get their sentinel card which allows them to work as a blue hat in the railway industry.

“We have been running the programme for a year now and the track site which we have been using is in Liverpool. From a sustainability and efficiency point of view and also with Accrington being the home of Accrington NORI, it is good to have the facility here in Accrington for people in the local vicinity to use and to upskill.

“In the last year we have had successful learners moving into employment with a range of companies from McGinleys, to Vital Rail and DF Brickwork and we are hoping to continue that, with the majority of the jobs being on the West Line Coast from Crewe through to Carlisle and on the TransPennine from Leeds to Manchester.”

Accrington & Rossendale College are recruiting now for their January intake. To apply, call: 01254 354423 or email: [email protected]

Mr Gee, added: “It’s a real opportunity for people who have had a negative experience in education and employment. It provides a great chance for them to get into well paid employment. Not everyone wants to work inside, lots of people want to work outdoors and this is the environment for them.

“The average starting salary positions for the labour roles is £12-£15 per hour. There are a number of routes and opportunities open in the industry as they become more proficient and the more qualifications you get while in the industry, that can increase to £20-£30 per hour within a couple of years.

To learn more about Accrington & Rossendale College, part of the Nelson and Colne College Group, on their website: https://www.accross.ac.uk/

Latest news

1

Roundhouse secures approval for new £15m office and industrial scheme in Preston Momentum

Roundhouse secures approval for new £15m office and industrial scheme in Preston

25 Jul 2025

2

Homebuilder's high-performing sales advisers clinch awards Ben Garland and Julia Lorente

Homebuilder's high-performing sales advisers clinch awards

24 Jul 2025

3

Work is set to start on Multiversity project Multiversity Blackpool

Work is set to start on Multiversity project

24 Jul 2025

4

BAE Systems welcomes MOU between Republic of Turkiye and UK for purchase of Typhoon aircraft Typhoon production Warton

BAE Systems welcomes MOU between Republic of Turkiye and UK for purchase of Typhoon aircraft

23 Jul 2025

5

Assystem to double UK jobs to deliver Sizewell C EDF Assystem

Assystem to double UK jobs to deliver Sizewell C

22 Jul 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Preston Tech Connection: Buzz Word Bingo. Challenging Todays's Buzzwords In Tech
July PTC banner long updated.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Buzz Word Bingo. Challenging Todays's Buzzwords In Tech

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – August 14th
Navy--Event Tile.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
14 Aug 2025 - 14 Aug 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – August 14th

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 12:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Header (24).png.png
LBV Hub Networking
21 Aug 2025 - 21 Aug 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Morecambe Bay Walk
Walk.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
30 Aug 2025 - 30 Aug 2025

Morecambe Bay Walk

Arnside, CARNFORTH, LA5

09:30 - 14:00

Longridge Soap Box Derby
Screenshot 2025-06-10 090035.png.png
LBV Hub Fundraisers
14 Sep 2025 - 14 Sep 2025

Longridge Soap Box Derby

Berry Lane, Longridge, PR3 3WH

10:00 - 16:30

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

Help to grow management course
Help to grow - barriers to growth.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Sep 2025 - 16 Dec 2025

Help to grow management course

Preston Campus , Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women
thumbnail_Emma Weston Illustration WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
22 Oct 2025 - 18 Mar 2026

RISE - Lancashire's unique leadership programme for women

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:30 - 15:30

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV 123 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin