The Skills Match scheme was set up to boost the rail workforce with apprenticeships
The National Skills Academy for Rail (NSAR) recently introduced a new service, Skills Match, to support rail industry employers seeking to recruit apprentices.
Skills Match was created to help solve the severe shortfall of workers urgently required across the rail industry. The industry has a low apprenticeship recruitment rate compared to other industries with around 2,500 a year.
NSAR estimates that the UK’s rail industry requires at least 5,000 new apprentices per year to meet the demand for its current work pipeline and to replace the sector’s ageing workforce.
Skills Match will support employers through the apprenticeship procurement process, including help with recruitment and navigating the government’s apprenticeship levy.
Neil Robertson, chief executive at NSAR, spoke about how Skills Match can increase the apprenticeship recruitment rate.
He said: “Collectively the industry must inspire and attract a new generation of talent to meet the huge skills gap and workforce shortages. Skills Match simplifies the processes for employers to recruit apprentices.”
Mark Holmes, head of membership and development at NSAR, spoke about Skills Match and how it will benefit employers.
He said: “We have analysed and modelled rail workforce data, listened to large and small employers throughout the UK and talked to school leavers thinking about their career path and those wishing to change careers.
“It all pointed towards the need for a supportive programme to sensitively match people’s skills with employers and trainers. Dedicated to the rail sector, Skills Match will support and help employers navigate apprenticeship recruitment.”
Rail sector employers can learn more about Skills Match and contact the team behind it directly through the Skills Match Services page.
