Twelve students from Sheffield, aged between 16-19, spent a week taking part in a variety of online and in-person workshops, to gain a better understanding of the rail industry and an insight into a local rail project.

Throughout the week, students took part in a series of online sessions, ranging from design and engineering challenges, to commercial, health and safety, and CV writing workshops. The students also undertook a site tour of Dore & Totley station, where the joint venture will install a new railway track, a second platform and a footbridge, and participated in environmental and community engagement workshops in Poynton Woods.

This work experience is one of multiple school engagement initiatives that the joint venture is delivering throughout the project.

A student who took part in the week, said: “I will take away a vast amount of knowledge about the different aspects of engineering and the work that goes into organising such a large scale project such as the Hope Valley Railway Upgrade.”

Another student said: “The placement was very informative and has helped me understand all of the different aspects involved with engineering that I didn’t initially know were included. The work experience has provided me with further insight into the different careers that are linked to engineering, and has helped me confirm my decision, that engineering is a good degree to take!”

The joint venture is delivering the Hope Valley Railway Upgrade on behalf of Network Rail, which will see construction and maintenance work carried out along the railway line between Manchester and Sheffield, to make the route more reliable for passenger and freight journeys.