The East West Rail Company (EWR Co) is encouraging university students with an interest in engineering living along the East West Rail (EWR) route to apply for a place on their new Engineering Springboard programme, which launches this week.
The two-year programme aims to inspire and support at least 30 high-potential candidates from less-advantaged backgrounds living between Oxford and Cambridge by providing free, personalised assistance to develop a career in engineering.
Students will have exclusive access to work experience opportunities, industry events and the support of a dedicated professional mentor when applying for jobs. The programme will also support students to develop the skills they need, and ultimately secure work experience, internships and graduate jobs at some of the top firms in the sector.
The Engineering Springboard is part of EWR Co’s commitment to improve the social mobility of young adults who live locally through mentoring and paid internships. The programme is being delivered by the social mobility charity upReach in partnership with EWR Co and its partner, international technical and professional services firm, Jacobs. It is part of a UK-wide initiative between Jacobs and upReach aimed at attracting and supporting university students from less-advantaged backgrounds and those traditionally underrepresented in STEAM careers.
Simon Blanchflower, CEO, EWR Co, said:
“The engineering sector needs to attract a more diverse range of graduates and the East West Railway Company has an important role to play in encouraging today’s students to become the engineers of tomorrow. I am delighted that we can deliver this programme locally with our partners and hope that together we can inspire more young people to discover a fulfilling career in engineering.”
Simon Scott, Engineering Director, EWR Co, said:
“We’re particularly looking for curious young people who love to problem-solve and work as a team. Engineering is one of the most varied, exciting and rewarding careers you can choose, and I am looking forward to working with the successful applicants and helping the next generation to reach their potential.”
Jacobs was appointed as EWR Co’s Programme Partner in July 2021, in large part because of the global solutions provider’s social mobility commitments.
Donald Morrison, People & Places Solutions Senior Vice President Europe and Digital Strategies, Jacobs, said:
“There are tremendous opportunities for more young people to build much-needed future skills across diverse engineering disciplines. By helping students understand career pathways and develop the skills, networks and experiences needed for success, the programme can help open up a world of opportunities in high-skilled STEAM careers for them.”
Students from less advantaged backgrounds who live in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire or Cambridgeshire and are currently studying at a UK university can apply for a place on the Engineering Springboard programme here (make sure to click ‘Engineering’ when asked your career interest). The deadline for applications is mid-January 2022.
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About the East West Rail project
East West Rail intends to create a new direct connection between Oxford and Cambridge. Serving communities across the area, it intends to bring faster journey times and lower transport costs as well as ease pressure on local roads.
East West Rail is planned to be delivered in three Connection Stages:
- Connection Stage One: Oxford to Bletchley and Milton Keynes
- Connection Stage Two: Oxford to Bedford
- Connection Stage Three: Oxford to Cambridge
Network Rail was responsible for developing the first part of the East West Rail, connecting Oxford with Bicester, and is a partner in a construction alliance to deliver Connection Stage 1 of the project, where East West Railway Company (EWR Co) is acting as the Department for Transport’s sponsor.
EWR Co is now developing the route to enable services to run to Cambridge via Bedford and will be seeking statutory powers under the Planning Act 2008, following a period of extensive consultation.
About East West Railway Company
East West Railway Company (EWR Co) was set up by the Secretary of State for Transport in 2018 to develop East West Rail, a railway with customers and communities at its core.
We have a mission to innovate and challenge the status-quo in the rail and construction industries, leading to a more efficient and cost-effective project delivery, and a great experience for passengers and the communities we serve.
Our distinctive outlook and commitment to doing the right thing for our customers and local communities runs through everything we do and every decision we make.
