The rail industry is on a collision course with a staffing crunch. To meet our Net Zero obligations and reconnect isolated regions, we need a motivated workforce capable of transforming our infrastructure. AtkinsRéalis has partnered with education charity Governors for Schools to trial a new approach - using the expertise and passion of our people to inspire the next generation.
There’s a skills shortage in the engineering, construction and infrastructure industries, and it’s getting worse. By 2025, between the HS2 and the TransPennine Route Upgrade (TRU) schemes alone, it’s estimated we’ll be short of 16,000 employees. That will hold back progress, delaying the infrastructure upgrades that we need to reach Net Zero. Meanwhile, dropout rates are growing as talent leaks out of our industry.
Early engagement is the long-term solution. AtkinsRéalis is working with education charity Governors for Schools (GfS) to make that happen. To change the future, we need to focus on inspiring the next generation right now.
Stop the drip
In the short term, there is plenty to do. Diverse teams deliver better results and innovate more creatively. Yet far too many female engineers are dropping out - 57% under the age of 45 compared to 17% of men. Meanwhile, those from ethnic minorities are 16% more likely to leave and those with disabilities still face real barriers to entry.
Our 2020 Career Deflection Report found that it will take well over a century before gender parity is realised in engineering and that the proportion of disabled workers in engineering occupations was 3% less than the proportion of disabled individuals across all occupations. On top of that, our levelling up research explains how regional rebalancing in the form of skills development and the future workforce is critical to delivering real change to the UK economy.
Unless action is taken, we’re missing a huge opportunity to develop an existing network of talent and build inclusive, resilient teams.
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The information provided by Virtua Research cited herein is provided “as is” and “as available” without warranty of any kind. Use of any Virtua Research data is at a user’s own risk and Virtua Research disclaims any liability for use of the Virtua Research data. Although the information is obtained or compiled from reliable sources Virtua Research neither can nor does guarantee or make any representation or warranty, either express or implied, as to the accuracy, validity, sequence, timeliness, completeness or continued availability of any information or data, including third-party content, made available herein. In no event shall Virtua Research be liable for any decision made or action or inaction taken in reliance on any information or data, including third-party content. Virtua Research further explicitly disclaims, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any warranty of any kind, whether express or implied, including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement.
The consensus estimate provided by Virtua Research is based on estimates, forecasts and predictions made by third party financial analysts, as described above. It is not prepared based on information provided by AtkinsRéalis and can only be seen as a consensus view on AtkinsRéalis' possible future results from an outside perspective. AtkinsRéalis has not provided input on these forecasts, except by referring to past publicly disclosed information. AtkinsRéalis does not accept any responsibility for the quality or accuracy of any individual or average of forecasts or estimates. This web page contains forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by third parties. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between AtkinsRéalis' actual future results, financial situation, development or performance, and the estimates given here.
Overall, not enough young people are entering the rail industry. We need long-term, productive relationships to create a diverse talent pipeline through schools - one that really touches and shapes different elements of the education system. That’s why we’re linking with primary schools, girls’ schools, Special Educational Needs (SEN) schools and those in deprived areas as part of our partnership with GfS. So that more children are inspired to find their future in our misunderstood sector.
Since the start of 2023, we’ve already recruited 60 governors, who’ll donate over 19,000 hours during their 4-year governorship (based on an average of 6.7 hours per month). We have subsequently revised our target to place 150 governors by the end of 2024, who will impact over 50,000 lives (average 350 pupils per school).
If we can challenge stereotypes and raise awareness of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects, we’ll show that engineering is a place for everyone, and open a network of opportunities to show it. Rail is a great place to work; what’s often missing is the visibility of the impact it makes.
Overall, not enough young people are entering the rail industry. We need long-term, productive relationships to create a diverse talent pipeline through schools - one that really touches and shapes different elements of the education system. That’s why we’re linking with primary schools, girls’ schools, Special Educational Needs (SEN) schools and those in deprived areas as part of our partnership with GfS. So that more children are inspired to find their future in our misunderstood sector.
Since the start of 2023, we’ve already recruited 60 governors, who’ll donate over 19,000 hours during their 4-year governorship (based on an average of 6.7 hours per month). We have subsequently revised our target to place 150 governors by the end of 2024, who will impact over 50,000 lives (average 350 pupils per school).
If we can challenge stereotypes and raise awareness of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects, we’ll show that engineering is a place for everyone, and open a network of opportunities to show it. Rail is a great place to work; what’s often missing is the visibility of the impact it makes.
The new relationship we’ve started with AtkinsRéalis is generating some very exciting ideas and opportunities to enrich our young people’s experience. This is collaboration and partnership working at its best. Thank you, AtkinsRéalis, for all your support and cooperation. We’re all very enthused at the possibilities that will come with us working together.
SARA BAYLEY
EXECUTIVE HEADTEACHER AT THE TOGETHER TRUST
Blazing a trail
Whilst AtkinsRéalis is the first engineering firm to launch a Governors for School partnership, its potential in helping to engage young people in STEM means AtkinsRéalis is also encouraging the wider industry to get on board, too.
This initiative is such a powerful tool for engaging both young people and loyal communities that we want to encourage our clients to get on board, too. Large infrastructure projects can be transformational in nature and partnerships with GfS can help our clients to target and deliver social value benefits in local areas. With clients on board, we see this as just the beginning and by placing STEM governors directly from client supply chains, we can truly make a difference, together.
Our partnership with GfS means that our governors can provide targeted STEM sessions to pupils, equip teachers to have better career conversations, and help parents understand the variety of careers out there. Our governors are a champion for the community, too. By listening to teachers, parents and staff to understand the local issues affecting them, AtkinsRéalis can directly deliver a better quality of life and create a sense of community cohesion.
From the way we can help shape the curriculum (such as improving English language proficiency by reading STEM books), to how we design our infrastructure using community-driven data so that it is more inclusive (recognising the impact of inaccessible transport hubs on getting to school), and how we can help influence stakeholders to direct investment in infrastructure that will make a difference to social mobility – our governors facilitate a feedback loop between all parties.
And it doesn’t have to stop there – when the project is complete, governors can continue in their role and leave a legacy of change.
Through AtkinsRéalis’ industry relationships, we can offer young people once-in-a-lifetime experiences – whether that’s visiting a client site, or taking a ride on the Flying Scotsman steam train, like students from the Together Trust did earlier this year.
Reap the rewards
Despite the challenges ahead, there’s much to be hopeful about. By opening our sector to the engineers of the future, we’ll learn how to change as an industry, prioritising our people and constructing an exciting, vibrant culture in engineering and transport.
This is just the beginning, and there is potential for this initiative to add value to many UK critical infrastructure projects. If you share in our vision for improving communities and inspiring the next generation, and want to know how we can help you, please contact me.
To meet the transformational challenges of the 21st century, we need a rich, diverse, and continuous stream of talent - and that’s exactly what young people will give us.
Please note that you are now leaving the AtkinsRéalis website (legal name: AtkinsRéalis Group inc.) and entering a website maintained by a third party (the "External Website") and that you do so at your own risk.
AtkinsRéalis has no control over the External Website, any data or other content contained therein or any additional linked websites. The link to the External Website is provided for convenience purposes only. By clicking "Accept" you acknowledge and agree that AtkinsRéalis is not responsible, and does not accept or assume any responsibility or liability whatsoever for the data protection policy, the content, the data or the technical operation of the External Website and/or any linked websites and that AtkinsRéalis is not liable for the terms and conditions (or terms of use) of the External Website. Further, you acknowledge and agree that you assume all risks resulting from entering and/or using the External Website and/or any linked websites.
BY ENTERING THE EXTERNAL WEBSITE, YOU ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT YOU COMPLETELY AND IRREVOCABLY WAIVE ANY AND ALL RIGHTS AND CLAIMS AGAINST ATKINSRÉALIS, AND RELEASE, DISCHARGE, INDEMNIFY AND HOLD HARMLESS ATKINSRÉALIS, ITS OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, DIRECTORS AND AGENTS FROM ANY AND ALL LIABILITY INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LIABILITY FOR LOSS, DAMAGES, EXPENSES AND COSTS ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH ENTERING AND/OR USING THE EXTERNAL WEBSITE AND/OR ANY LINKED WEBSITES AND ANY DATA AND/OR CONTENT CONTAINED THEREIN.
Such waiver and release specifically includes, without limitation, any and all rights and claims pertaining to reliance on the data or content of the External Website, or claims pertaining to the processing of personal data, including but not limited to any rights under any applicable data protection statute. You also recognize by clicking “Accept” that the terms of this disclaimer are reasonable.
The information provided by Virtua Research cited herein is provided “as is” and “as available” without warranty of any kind. Use of any Virtua Research data is at a user’s own risk and Virtua Research disclaims any liability for use of the Virtua Research data. Although the information is obtained or compiled from reliable sources Virtua Research neither can nor does guarantee or make any representation or warranty, either express or implied, as to the accuracy, validity, sequence, timeliness, completeness or continued availability of any information or data, including third-party content, made available herein. In no event shall Virtua Research be liable for any decision made or action or inaction taken in reliance on any information or data, including third-party content. Virtua Research further explicitly disclaims, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any warranty of any kind, whether express or implied, including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose and non-infringement.
The consensus estimate provided by Virtua Research is based on estimates, forecasts and predictions made by third party financial analysts, as described above. It is not prepared based on information provided by AtkinsRéalis and can only be seen as a consensus view on AtkinsRéalis' possible future results from an outside perspective. AtkinsRéalis has not provided input on these forecasts, except by referring to past publicly disclosed information. AtkinsRéalis does not accept any responsibility for the quality or accuracy of any individual or average of forecasts or estimates. This web page contains forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by third parties. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between AtkinsRéalis' actual future results, financial situation, development or performance, and the estimates given here.
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