Avanti West Coast launches new virtual work experience platform for young people
Working with online platform Springpod to inspire young people to join the railway industry
- Partnering with careers platform Springpod to highlight role opportunities
- Targeting school students over the age of 13 years old
- Part of the operator’s work to inspire young people to join the railway industry
Avanti West Coast has launched a new virtual work experience course to inspire and educate young people on the career opportunities within rail.
Partnering with careers platform Springpod, the free online programme is open to anyone over the age of 13 years old. The course contains over six hours’ worth of content to highlight what it’s like to work for Avanti West Coast, including roles in engineering, customer experience and office positions.
Students can undertake the course in their own time and at their own pace, and, upon completion, they will receive a certificate which they can use when applying for future education opportunities.
In the first 30 days of the course being available, over 150 students from 91 schools across the UK have enrolled.
This is part of the intercity operator’s ongoing commitment to inspire young people to start a career in the rail industry and provide them with the opportunities to do so.
Avanti West Coast continues to support the King’s Trust ‘Get into Railways’ programme, providing young people with skills training and work experience to prepare them for taking their first steps on the career ladder.
Jo MacPhail, People Director at Avanti West Coast said: “Young people are the future of our industry. With this course we want to inspire the next generation of expert engineers, customer experience leaders and innovative office workers that are passionate about rail.
“We are continuously committed to work with our partners to create opportunities that support young people in shaping their future careers, and Springpod enables us to reach a wider audience.”
Sam Hyams, Chief Executive Officer at Springpod said: “We’re proud to partner with Avanti West Coast to open up the world of rail to young people across the UK. Virtual work experience plays a vital role in breaking down barriers and helping students discover careers they may never have considered. This programme gives learners the flexibility to explore a wide range of roles in their own time, while gaining a valuable certificate to support their next steps. It’s exciting to see Avanti championing early careers in such an accessible and inspiring way.”
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Notes to editors
Avanti West Coast's Springpod platform can be found here: Avanti West Coast x Springpod
About Avanti West Coast
Avanti West Coast, operator of intercity rail services on the West Coast Main Line, is a joint venture between FirstGroup and Trenitalia, delivering a cleaner, greener railway that drives the West Coast forward.
We’re on a mission to revolutionise train travel. Our refurbed Pendolinos returned to the rails in June 2024 following a £117m investment programme that’s delivered the best in class comfort. Known as the UK’s hardest working fleet, all 56 of these iconic trains have been transformed and now boast better seats, improved lighting, new interior carpets, customer-friendly passenger information screens, additional luggage space, power points at every seat and refurbished toilets.
Our new Evero fleet was introduced in June 2024. Built by Hitachi, the 23-strong fleet, consisting of 10 seven-carriage electric trains and 13 five-carriage bi-modes, will serve routes from London to the Midlands, Chester, North Wales and the North West, leading to a substantial cut in carbon emissions with an increase in seats, and offering improved comfort. Quieter and roomier, with more reliable Wi-Fi, wireless charging for electrical devices and a real-time customer information system, these new trains are the result of a £350m investment in sustainable travel.
We’re tackling climate change wherever we can, from reducing energy and water use to training drivers in eco-driving techniques and sourcing food and drink from local suppliers. Our goal is to be net zero carbon by 2031. We’re on track.
For the latest news, visit the Avanti West Coast Media Centre: https://newsdesk.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/
Press Office: 0845 000 3333