Youth Future Event

The Rail Unites for Inclusion and Youth Futures Foundation event brought together voices from across the rail sector to explore how we can better attract, support, and retain young, diverse talent. Key themes from breakout and panel sessions highlighted the need for inclusive recruitment practices, early engagement with schools and communities, and meaningful work experience opportunities.

Participants emphasised the importance of removing barriers to entry, such as bias, financial constraints, and cultural misunderstandings, while promoting equity for neurodivergent and underrepresented groups. Retention strategies focused on creating a sense of belonging, offering mentoring, and supporting career progression.

Workplace culture was a central theme, with calls to modernise traditions and embed equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) into long-term strategies. Young people expressed a desire for purpose-driven careers, wellbeing support, and opportunities to contribute to their communities.

Strategic takeaways included adopting a lifecycle approach to inclusion, showcasing diverse role models, and collaborating with schools, unions, and grassroots organisations. With only 6% of the rail workforce under 25, bold action is needed to build a sector that reflects the values and aspirations of the next generation.

Together, we can shape a rail industry that’s inclusive, future-ready, and powered by youth.

An action that was agreed upon in the online breakout was for Youth network groups that already exist across the industry to join forces and collaborate with each other. If you have a Youth network group within your organisation, please let us know by emailing collaborate@railunites.org  We will then arrange a meeting with those organisations to start with and then determine next steps.