Over 11,000 apprentice opportunities in road and rail bodies since in last four years

It’s been revealed that 11,254 apprenticeships have been created in road and rail client bodies and their supply chain in the last four years.

The details have been revealed in the Transport Infrastructure Skills Strategy Four Years of Progress report, by the Strategic Transport Apprenticeship Taskforce.

In the foreword, Neil Robertson, Chief Executive of National Skills Academy for Rail and Interim Chair of STAT, said: “It has now been four years since the formation of the Strategic Transport Apprenticeship Taskforce (STAT) which was tasked with addressing the challenges set out in the Transport Infrastructure Skills Strategy (TISS) of getting a highly skilled, diverse workforce in place to meet ambitious levels of investment in transport infrastructure.

“During this time, STAT has expanded on its original commitments considerably and is a positive example of how Government and industry collaboration can be a force for change.”

STAT was formed in response to increasing investment in transport and the need for a sector wide approach to skills and people.

It represents a workforce of over 800,000 people across roads, rail, maritime and aviation.

Some of the stats over the last four years:

• 11,254 apprentice opportunities in road and rail bodies since 2016, in client bodies and as a direct result of public procurement.
• 11 per cent of starts in 2019/20 were degree level apprenticeships.
• 1,207 starts in 2019/20 within the organisations of Department for Transport, Highways England, HS2, Network Rail and Transport for London.

Also in the foreword of the report, MP Andrew Stephenson, Transport Minister for Skills, says he is encouraged by the progress made.

He said: “To date, the focus of STAT has rightly been on the creation of high quality apprenticeships, and this should continue to be a key part of its future strategy. However, in a new economic context focused on recovery which will lead to growth, it will need to broaden its focus to consider other skills initiatives which will support the sector more widely.

“In addition to supporting those entering the labour market for the first time, retraining and upskilling those who have become unemployed, through training and work placement programmes, will also play a vital role.”

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Photo credit: STAT

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