The rail industry has seen several cycles of reinvention. Today, the rail sector is re-evaluating its impact on the environment as part of the 'clean air' movement that has spurred investment in electric and hydrogen-powered cars.
To meet its target of net-zero emissions by 2050, the UK government has pledged £1.75 million to fund new decarbonisation technologies to the rail network.
As well as removing diesel-powered stock by 2040, the sustainability scheme is exploring the use of solar panels and new form of steam engine that uses hydrogen and oxygen to eliminate pollution. This drastic change in direction for the rail industry brings with it a re-invention of recruitment requirements.
In 2019 alone, 65% of roles we've filled with our partners' have been green collar roles and that number continues to rise.
The need for new technology and the demand for green collar talent with environmental or ecological qualifications have combined to create a skills gap that rail companies are struggling to fill alone.
As a major force in rail recruitment for over two decades, we've reinvented our approach to recruitment in the sector. Our rapidly-growing rail team has been restructured to focus on green collar recruitment, steered by specialists in ecology, acoustics, air quality and environmental management.
If you want to find out more about the latest challenges affecting talent attraction and retention across the rail industry, download our rail insights Talent on Track.