Railways short of 900 drivers

THE railway industry is short of 900 drivers, 800 signallers and 1,200 track-layers, the government revealed today as it launched a new training scheme.

Adult Skills Minister John Healey challenged employers to invest more in skills to tackle the 'serious shortfall' in recruitment and training.

The problem was a playing a significant part in the railway industry's present problems, said the minister.

Mr Healey also revealed there were 750 vacancies for middle managers and 1,600 vacancies for graduates.

The facts were 'startling', with only 150 young people starting Modern Apprenticeships in the industry in the last three years.

The government is earmarking £500,000 to provide on-the-job training for rail workers over the age of 25.

Mr Healey told a meeting of rail employers in London: 'Your companies may be in competition, but you have a common interest in securing the industry's skills base, in promoting the railways as an industry that people will want to work in and in influencing colleges and universities to run the courses that you need.'