International Youth Day 2026

On International Youth Day, we're reflecting on the recent Rail Youth Promise launch and the incredible contribution young people make across our industry. The event reinforced something important: young people aren't just the future of rail, they're helping shape our industry today. One thing is clear: young people want to be heard, involved and empowered to shape the future of rail. That's why we're looking to highlight the networks, forums and communities that already exist to support young people across our sector. 

Here are just a few examples involving young people: 

🚆 Young Rail Professionals (YRP) 

🚆 The Grad Loop  

🚆 Ignite, Network Rail's early careers network 

🚆 Future, GWR's development and progression network that has many youth members 

We also partner with great organisations that help young people into employment like Youth Futures Foundation who helped us to shape the Rail Youth Promise as well as Routes into Rail, a sector initiative to provide a single source of advice and information on the breadth and depth of careers offered in the rail industry. But we know this isn't the full picture and there is so much more that is going on in the sector that we want to shine a spotlight on.  

What other networks, forums, employee groups or young professional communities exist across rail? Email Apeksha.Naik@networkrail.co.uk to help us showcase and celebrate them as part of the Rail Youth Promise community. 

Let's help more young people find opportunities, build connections and have their voices heard. If your organisation isn’t a signatory already, become a signatory to be involved in the Rail Youth Promise

#InternationalYouthDay #RailYouthPromise #YouthVoice #EarlyCareers #YoungPeople #RailIndustry #RailUnitesForInclusion