Britain’s rail industry has launched a new commitment to help more young people secure jobs, training and career progression across the sector.
The Rail Youth Promise was unveiled at a parliamentary reception on 15 July 2026 and brings together Network Rail, train operators, supply-chain businesses and youth organisations.
The initiative is designed to tackle the under-representation of younger workers in rail. People aged 16 to 24 currently account for around 6% of the industry’s workforce, compared with approximately 12% of the UK population.
The charter has been introduced as the sector prepares for the creation of Great British Railways in 2027 and looks to recruit the next generation of engineers, drivers, customer-service staff, managers and technical specialists.
The Rail Youth Promise is based on five key areas: Inspire, Hire, Learn, Grow and Connect. Together, these commitments are intended to improve awareness of rail careers, create clearer routes into employment and support young people as they develop within the industry.
Several new recruitment and training initiatives were highlighted at the launch.
Govia Thameslink Railway has recruited six students into part-time on-board supervisor roles, allowing them to combine paid employment with their studies.
South Western Railway is due to welcome a new intake of leadership and engineering apprentices in September, while Southeastern is preparing to offer work-experience placements to young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The launch also follows a change to the minimum age for train drivers. From 30 June 2026, applicants have been able to begin training from the age of 18 rather than 20, opening the profession to more school-leavers and younger jobseekers.
Baroness Jacqui Smith, Minister for Skills, said the initiative demonstrated the industry’s commitment to making skilled careers more accessible.
“The rail industry is full of skilled careers, and the Rail Youth Promise is a clear signal that the industry is serious about making those opportunities available to every young person,” she said.
Ruth Busby OBE, People Director at GTR, said the company’s student recruitment programme could be expanded to other areas of the business and adopted more widely across the sector.
Paul Marshall, Network Rail’s Chief Financial Officer, said the promise would help young people recognise rail as an industry offering long-term potential and a strong sense of purpose.
Alex Hynes, Chief Executive of DFTO, added that attracting younger workers would be essential to delivering a sustainable and customer-focused railway.
The Rail Youth Promise is sponsored by Rail Unites for Inclusion and GTR. It also supports the Government’s Youth Guarantee, which aims to ensure that every young person has access to employment, education or training.
Industry leaders hope the charter will make railway careers more visible and help more young people understand the range of opportunities available, from engineering and operations to technology, finance, communications and sustainability.