How veterans can help close the UK rail skills gap

A Guide to Careers in the Rail Industry

If you’re thinking about a new career direction or wondering where your engineering or technical skills could take you, the rail industry is well worth a closer look. It’s one of the UK’s most stable sectors, it’s growing, and it’s going through one of the biggest modernisation periods in its history. Which makes it an ideal time to explore careers in the railway industry and wider rail sector. Is the rail industry a good career path? Yes. UK rail infrastructure quietly powers everything else in the UK. People rely on it. Businesses rely on it. And with investment flowing in from every direction, the demand for talent is only getting stronger. Why choose a career in rail? In 2025, the rail industry is in the middle of a major period of change. Large parts of the network are being upgraded, with old infrastructure being modernised and there’s a strong push towards a greener, more efficient rail system. That means a steady flow of railway career opportunities across engineering, operations, sustainability, project delivery, asset management, and more. And while some flagship programmes, like HS2, have been re-phased, the wider industry continues to move forward. Projects like Northern Powerhouse Rail, East West Rail, and Network Rail’s ongoing renewals and upgrades are still progressing at pace, creating sustained demand for skilled engineers, technicians, and project specialists. For anyone looking for job security and progression, careers in the rail industry offer both. What types of jobs are available in the UK rail industry? If you want a sector where you can actually grow, rail is a strong pick. One of the best things about rail is how broad it is. People often start in hands-on careers in the railway industry, maintenance, track, signalling, and operations and move into senior technical, project, or managerial roles over time. You’ll find roles in: Engineering and infrastructure: civil, mechanical, electrical, systems, signalling Operations: drivers, signallers, controllers, planners Maintenance: track operatives, technicians, asset inspectors Project delivery: project managers, planners, site supervisors Support and digital: procurement, IT, data, cyber, commercial roles What is the salary for railway jobs? Careers in the rail industry are generally well paid, and salaries often rise quickly with experience. Here’s a few common examples: Track/Maintenance Operatives: £28k–£38k Signalling Technicians: £35k–£50k Project Engineers: £40k–£55k Civil/Track Engineers: £45k–£65k Train Drivers: £55k–£70k Project Managers (Infrastructure): £55k–£75k (Sources: Network Rail, Glassdoor, and Prospects.ac.uk) What qualifications or skills do you need for a career in rail? The rail sector values both formal qualifications and on-the-job learning. Common routes include: NVQs or Level 3 qualifications in engineering, construction, or electrical work Apprenticeships with Network Rail, Transport for London, or major contractors Degrees in civil, mechanical, or electrical engineering for professional roles Sentinel training and safety certifications for operational work Deep dive into 'What is Sentinel and why do you need it?'. Just as important are the interpersonal and behavioural attributes that keep teams effective and safe: Strong communication and teamwork Problem-solving under pressure Attention to detail and adherence to safety protocols Adaptability, especially with new digital technologies How to get a job in the rail industry There isn’t one “right” way to start careers in the railway industry. A lot of people join through: Apprenticeships Graduate schemes Trainee technician routes Direct entry with trade experience (electrical, construction, mechanical) Via specialist transport recruitment agencies Working with a specialist agency can be especially helpful because you’ll get guidance on background checks, Sentinel training, and access to roles that aren’t always advertised publicly. Switching tracks into the rail industry Maybe you’re coming from construction, defence, automotive, energy, manufacturing, or even something completely different. Rail loves transferable skills. If you’ve got the foundations, organisations will often train you in the rail-specific parts. This is exactly how programmes like Train to Deploy work, taking experienced professionals, reskilling or upskilling them, and deploying them onto major rail projects. What background checks are needed for rail jobs? Because rail is a safety-critical environment, you’ll go through a few essential checks before you start working: Right-to-work and ID verification Reference/employment history checks Medical assessments Drug & alcohol screening DBS checks Sentinel competency verification if you’re working trackside Many employers use specialist background screening partners to speed things up and keep everything compliant. If you end up working with a rail & transport recruitment partner who understands the sector, they’ll usually guide you through the checks and help you get everything sorted without the stress. The future of railways There’s a very real buzz around the future of railways. As the rail network modernises, we’ll see more digital tools, better connectivity and a stronger focus on sustainability. All of which are creating new opportunities across engineering, operations and project delivery. The next decade is going to bring: Digital signalling and smarter control systems Greater automation Data-led maintenance More electrification and sustainability-focused projects Increased focus on diversity, accessibility and new talent pipelines All of this means long-term opportunity. If you want a career that lets you be part of something evolving and genuinely shaping the UK’s future, the rail industry is a brilliant place to be.