Inspiring the Next Generation with Speakers for Schools
Article by Dominic Keegans
With Sam and Joe Simpson joining SEP Rail Services as our first Apprentice Graduate Engineers, we’ve witnessed firsthand the immense value the younger generation brings to our industry. Their fresh perspectives and eagerness to learn and grow are essential for fostering a long and enjoyable career in the rail industry. As the industry evolves, it’s crucial to keep the next generation inspired and motivated to start careers in rail if we want to see it flourish well into the future.
Earlier this month, SEP Rail Services collaborated closely with Speakers for Schools , an organisation dedicated to closing the opportunity gap for state-educated young people by providing fair access to fully funded work experience and inspirational talks. Their mission is to empower 11-19-year-olds from state schools and colleges, championing social mobility and diversity in the workplace.
Thanks to the generosity of North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR), both Sam and Joe, along with Mark Radley (Training Manager) and myself, Dominic Keegans (Head of Survey), were able to use Grosmont Station as our base for the day. We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to NYMR for this opportunity; your effort made all of this possible.
The students were set a challenge: to research, understand, and present their findings around sustainability at SEP Rail Services and within the rail industry as a whole.
Throughout the day, the tasks included both levelling and scanning (using the X7 and GEDO GX50). It was brilliant to see the reaction and intrigue from the students; they were genuinely eager to learn more and had many questions.
The following day, the students presented their findings to Sam and Joe, who graded their work (which was very impressive!). The day concluded with a quiz, testing the knowledge gained and giving the students a final opportunity to demonstrate what they’d learned.
Initiatives like this provide a fantastic opportunity for the younger generation, especially those from state schools, to learn more about the career possibilities available to them. We’re absolutely thrilled with the response we received on the day, and we’re confident there is a bright future for the students of Whitby High School.