Network Rail and West Midlands Railway partner with Birmingham college on engineering pathway

Network Rail and West Midlands Railway have formed a partnership with South & City College Birmingham to bring railway experience into the studies of about 55 students on Level 1 and Level 2 engineering qualifications.

Network Rail said the arrangement was formally launched at an event on Wednesday 4 November and is intended to prepare students for future apprenticeships and careers in the industry.

Alongside learning about railway engineering, students will receive career and professional development support, including CV writing and coaching for job interviews, the infrastructure owner said.

Denise Wetton, integrated managing director for GBR West Midlands, said: "Working with key local partners like South & City College Birmingham gives us a real opportunity to support jobs and skills in the West Midlands, while building a railway workforce that better reflects the communities we serve."

The launch

Network Rail said the initiative was facilitated by Laurence Turner, MP for Birmingham Northfield. At the launch, industry representatives met students, teachers and college staff, and students were able to speak to people already working on the railway.

Two former Network Rail apprentices, Dan Taylor and Adam Johnson, who now work full time at the company's Sandwell & Dudley Delivery Unit, also addressed the students. Johnson is a section manager for signals and telecoms.

Turner said the scheme showed rail investment in Birmingham was benefiting areas such as Longbridge and Northfield.

Mike Hopkins MBE, principal & CEO at South & City College Birmingham, said: "The launch marks the start of what will be an ongoing partnership between the college and the rail industry."

The college said the partnership would complement its existing engineering courses, giving students the chance to learn more about the railway and hear directly from people working in the industry.

GBR West Midlands

West Midlands Trains said in a release dated 15 July 2026 that Wetton had been appointed Integrated Managing Director of GBR West Midlands, having most recently been route director for Network Rail's Central Route.

She replaced Ian McConnell, who joined DFTO as its Rolling Stock Director, the operator said. At the time of her appointment there were three integrated railways in Britain: GBR South Eastern, GBR South Western and GBR Anglia.

Jake Kelly, Managing Director for Network Rail's North West & Central Region, described her appointment at the time as a major step forward.

The college model

The South & City College agreement follows a similar arrangement between Network Rail and Birmingham Metropolitan College (BMet). According to Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, the BMet rail skills hub is aimed at young people aged 16 to 19 and gives students Level 1 or Level 2 engineering qualifications that allow them to apply later for Level 3 apprenticeships with Network Rail.

Network Rail has also launched a Network Rail Academy with Capital City College in London. Richard Turner, head of apprenticeships, graduates and industry development at Network Rail, said that by working with local colleges the academy offers real-life, job-ready skills and training.

Network Rail said it takes on hundreds of apprentices each year. Richard Turner, Head of Apprenticeships at Network Rail, said the company was welcoming around 300 new joiners in 2026 across engineering, business, IT and finance.

West Midlands Railway runs its own four-year salaried engineering apprenticeship in partnership with Birmingham Metropolitan College. The operator said in April 2026 that it had become the first train operator to reach gold-level "Excellent Employer" accreditation for the scheme, whose 16 apprentices are based mainly at its Tyseley depot in south Birmingham.

John Doughty, engineering director at WMR, said the accreditation recognised the operator's commitment to high quality training.

Network Rail says it owns and operates 20,000 miles of track and 30,000 bridges, tunnels and viaducts.