New college facility to fast-track unemployed adults into the rail industry

By Scott Dawson Advertising

26 Jan 2023

Andrew Stephenson Mp And Sara Britcliffe Mp Cut Ribbon On New Railway Maintenance Facility At Accrington Rossendale College Press

Accrington & Rossendale College has officially opened a brand new, specially designed railway maintenance track aimed at fast-tracking unemployed adults into well-paid, skilled careers for life within the rail industry.

The real-to-life track, which has seen disused land transformed to produce the spectacular new facility, is part of the college's unique and exciting new Railway Maintenance Programme, which is the first of its kind in Lancashire.

The rail maintenance and repair course, which runs Monday to Friday over an 8-week period, will include classroom learning at Lancashire Adult Learning in Brierfield, while the practical element will see students partake in a number of activities at the new site in Accrington 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.

The programme, which has been running for just over a year using a track site in Liverpool, has seen learners move into employment with a range of companies including McGinleys, Vital Rail and DF Brickwork. The average starting salary for labour roles in the industry is £12-£15 per hour, with great opportunities to develop and upskill.

To apply for Accrington & Rossendale College's Railway Maintenance Programme, call: 01254 354 423 or email: [email protected]

Lisa O'Loughlin, principal and CEO of the Nelson and Colne College Group which includes Accrington and Rossendale College and Lancashire Adult Learning commented: "This is an incredibly exciting day here at Accrington and Rossendale College. This is a fantastic eight-week programme that enables people to move from unemployment, to full sustained employment in a very short space of time. They can then move on to exciting careers supporting national and regional infrastructure projects."

Tom Gee, head of curriculum for employability, volunteering and skills, said: "We are delighted to have officially opened our brand new railway track today here at Accrington & Rossendale College.

"The transformation of disused land into this spectacular real-to-life rail track will provide fantastic practical training for people enrolling on our 8-week rail maintenance and repair course."

Sara Britcliffe, MP for Hyndburn and Haslingden, said: "The railway track is the first of its kind in the area and it's fantastic to see just what we're developing here in Hyndburn.

"The Railway Maintenance Programme, also the first of its kind in Lancashire, is aimed at fast-tracking unemployed adults aged 19+ into well-paid, skilled careers for life within the railway industry, which is a wonderful opportunity for our local people."

Rt Hon Andrew Stephenson, MP for Pendle, commented: "It has been an extremely special day here at Accrington & Rossendale College and we can't wait to see this fantastic programme in action, both here in Accrington for the practical side of things, and in Brierfield for the classroom learning which will take place at Lancashire Adult Learning.

"We need more people with the skills to deliver major infrastructure projects. This is the fastest way for people aged 19+ to move from unemployment into a skilled position, and for anyone that is interested, I highly recommend that you get in touch with the college."

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

Construction begins on new Civil Service office building in Talbot Gateway Alan McBride Muse Will Town Defence Infrastructure Organisation Jennifer Chard Defence Business Services Cllr Lynn Williams Blackpool Council Garry Bowker Vinci

Construction begins on new Civil Service office building in Talbot Gateway

20 May 2025

2

Skiddle raises over £750,000 for charities Skiddle cheque presentation to Alder Hey Hospital

Skiddle raises over £750,000 for charities

20 May 2025

3

Former Victorian Hotel approved for residential conversion The site

Former Victorian Hotel approved for residential conversion

19 May 2025

4

REVOLUTION PARK: Work starts on Darwen’s new home of advanced manufacturing Oliver Webber, Tracy Clavell-Bate and Tim Webber from Barnfield Group with Cllr Phil Riley, second from right, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council

REVOLUTION PARK: Work starts on Darwen’s new home of advanced manufacturing

19 May 2025

5

Two Cuckoo Gins named winners in The Gin Guide Awards 2025 Mark Long

Two Cuckoo Gins named winners in The Gin Guide Awards 2025

19 May 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
LBV122 May/June Launch Event
121 Lancashire Business View Magazine Launch
Networking
21 May 2025

LBV122 May/June Launch Event

Lancaster and Morecambe College, Lancaster, LA1 2TY

08:30 - 10:30

Sub36 Networking
Networking
11 Jun 2025

Sub36 Networking

British Jewellery School, Scorton, PR3 1BA

15:00 - 17:00

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200pxtrident 2
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

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 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

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

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

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

09:00 - 15:30

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar
LBV Hub Seminars
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar

Cottons Hotel & Spa , Knutsford, WA16 0SU

16:00 - 18:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Mytton Fold, Langho, BB6 8AB

11:30 - 14:15

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: May
Freelancer Meet-Up May.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: May

society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Liverpool Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-881365363-4862066883-1-original.20241023-085714.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
23 May 2025 - 23 May 2025

Liverpool Business Expo 2025

Aintree Racecourse , Liverpool , L9 5AS

09:00 - 15:00

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 29
Artboard 15.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
29 May 2025 - 29 May 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 29

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Manchester Road, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:00

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 LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin