SWGR and Glasgow Kelvin College have unveiled a strategic partnership to bolster Scotland's pipeline of railway talent, launching a National Qualification (NQ) Level 5 Railway Engineering programme that offers a clear transition from study to employment.

Created to meet surging demand across railway engineering, telecommunications, digital rail systems, electrical and mechanical disciplines, and frontline operations, the initiative responds to sector-wide investment in telecoms infrastructure, digital modernisation and electrification.

The new course pairs college-based learning with hands-on experience through an "Earn and Learn" approach, giving students contracted working hours alongside their studies and a defined route into sustainable jobs. SWGR will collaborate with VolkerRail to provide work placements. Developed in Springburn—an area with a rich railway heritage—the programme is designed to widen access for local people, drive economic growth and support social mobility into high-quality technical careers.

SWGR, the UK's largest independent provider of skilled workforce solutions to the rail industry, will lead on industry exposure, workforce development and employability support, drawing on its award-winning training and operational capabilities.

Stuart Munro, Head of Delivery, Scotland of SWGR, said: "The railway industry is facing a very real skills challenge, and if we want to build the workforce of tomorrow, industry and education must work together in a far more meaningful way than has traditionally been the case. This partnership represents exactly that. It brings together the educational excellence of Glasgow Kelvin College and SWGR's extensive experience in workforce development and skills delivery, with support from VolkerRail and its engineering expertise.

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"Most importantly, it creates a genuine pathway into employment. Young people will not simply learn about the railway industry; they will experience it first-hand, develop practical skills, gain recognised qualifications and build careers within a sector that plays a vital role in the UK's future.

"As a business that has proudly operated in Springburn for almost four decades, we are particularly pleased that this programme will help create opportunities within a community that has such strong historical connections to the railway industry. This is an investment in people, in skills and in the long-term future of our industry."

Under the partnership, academic teaching will be delivered by Glasgow Kelvin College, while SWGR and VolkerRail will provide practical railway experience. Learners will gain exposure to live operational settings, core engineering disciplines, telecommunications technologies and industry-recognised qualifications aligned to the needs of modern rail infrastructure.

Joanna Campbell, Principal and CEO at Glasgow Kelvin College, said: "At Glasgow Kelvin College, we are passionate about creating opportunities that transform lives and support the future needs of industry. This partnership represents a powerful example of what can be achieved when education and employers work together with a shared purpose. By combining high-quality learning with real-world industry experience, we are creating a pathway that will equip learners with the skills, confidence and opportunities they need to build successful careers in one of Scotland's most important sectors."

Kevin Doherty Head of Telecoms at VolkerRail, said: "The future success of the railway industry depends on our ability to attract, develop and retain talented people. Through this partnership, we are helping to support students, as they develop into the next generation of skilled railway professionals."

Subject to performance and attendance, successful students are expected to progress into trainee engineering roles, telecommunications technician positions, infrastructure maintenance careers and other opportunities across the rail sector. The collaboration was formally launched at a joint event hosted by Glasgow Kelvin College and SWGR in June 2026, attended by senior leaders from all three organisations and stakeholders from education and infrastructure.