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Boost rail skills to drive growth

28 January 2026

 

Today, the Transport Select Committee has published a report from its inquiry titled 'Engine for growth: securing skills for transport manufacturing'.

Commenting, RIA Policy Director Robert Cook said: "We welcome the findings in this report on transport manufacturing skills and are pleased the Committee recognises both the value of the rail manufacturing sector, as well as the challenges it currently faces. 

"With the report recognising that transport manufacturing is within the Advanced Manufacturing branch of the Industrial Strategy, we urge Government to acknowledge this in debates going forward and ensure that rail manufacturing is not left out in conversations about the Industrial Strategy."

"We urge the Government to use this report as an impetus for supporting the rail manufacturing sector, particularly to ensure the UK retains a world class skilled workforce that will support an efficient railway, global exports and high quality jobs across the country.”

Notes to Editors 
  • Image: Shutterstock / milatiger 
  • Read the Transport Select Committee's report here.
  • Read RIA's submission to the inquiry here.
  • About the Railway Industry Association: The Railway Industry Association (RIA) champions a dynamic UK rail supply sector. We help to grow a sustainable, and high-performing railway as well as promoting UK rail expertise and products to international markets. Rail is a foundation sector for the UK’s economy which supports sustainable investment and jobs in communities across the UK. For every £1 in the rail transport system, over £2.50 of value is generated in the wider economy. The whole rail industry contributes £41 billion in economic value and £14 billion in tax revenue each year, as well as supporting over 640,000 jobs throughout the UK. For every job in rail transport sector, a further four jobs elsewhere in the UK economy are supported. And every job in the rail supply chain is 29% more productive than the UK average, reflecting many highly-skilled jobs in the sector. RIA has over 450 members and is active across the whole of railway supply, covering a diverse range of products and services and including both multi-national companies and SMEs (60% by number). www.riagb.org.uk
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