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Scottish rail suppliers today said that five percent of their workforce could be made up of apprentices, providing the right Government support is in place. The offer came at RIA (Railway Industry Association) Scotland’s annual conference, which was held in Edinburgh on Thursday 24 November. The conference is a flagship event in the railway calendar and attracts some 100 industry leaders and senior players, to discuss the strategic direction of the industry in Scotland. This year’s conference included a keynote speech from Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth MSP, in which she spoke about the importance of the railway when it comes to decarbonisation, innovation and social value. Bill Reeve, Director of Rail at Transport Scotland and Alex Hynes, Managing Director of Scotland’s Railway also took part in panel discussions. The agenda was based around RIA Scotland’s four priorities for the country’s railway: decarbonisation, skills, innovation and efficient delivery. At the conference, the industry made a series of ‘offers’ and ‘asks’ to Government for each of the four themes. On skills, rail suppliers said they wanted to achieve the target of employing 500 apprentices or have apprentices make up five percent of their workforce but needed decision makers to provide a clear pipeline of work and launch a programme to promote the diversity of jobs within the rail industry. The industry also said it could offer better value for money to the taxpayer, make electrification cheaper and become more innovative with the right approach from Government. Meirion Thomas, Chair of RIA Scotland, said: "This was a hugely successful event and RIA Scotland members stand ready to use their expertise to make the Scottish rail investment programme greener and more efficient. “We look forward to work with the Scottish Government, Transport Scotland, Network Rail and many others to deliver a successful, sustainable and vibrant railway industry in Scotland." Jenny Gilruth MSP, Minister for Transport, said: "It was a pleasure to attend the RIA Scotland conference and hear first-hand the collaborative way in which the rail supply sector works. The rail industry is central to delivering our ambitious investment and enhancement plans for a socially inclusive and environmentally sustainable Scotland. “It also helps us to repurpose our railway post-pandemic, making sure it is affordable to passengers and an attractive alternative to private car use. In short, the industry keeps Scotland moving.”
About RIA Scotland: RIA Scotland is the voice of the Scottish rail supply community, representing RIA members across the nation. Rail in Scotland supports £3.1bn in economic growth (GVA), 56,000 jobs and £1bn in tax revenue and is an essential industry in delivering the Scottish Government's economic growth and decarbonisation agendas. www.riagb.org.uk/scotland