Paul Case

Said the following about Young Rail Professionals - National Executive:

“Young Rail Professionals (YRP) was founded in 2009 to promote, inspire and develop the next generation of railway talent. It was set up and continues to be run by volunteers keen to promote the industry internally to peers and externally to attract people into the sector. YRP brings together people from all aspects of the industry, whether they are involved in engineering, asset management, train operations, strategic planning, maintenance, franchising, regulation, marketing or human relations.

The importance of Diversity and inclusion is becoming ever more emphasised in the Rail industry, and this is an area where YRP has led from the front, consistently in terms of gender, age and accessibility - hosting events across the country in different regions to ensure exciting seminars, speakers, visits and access to training are available to all. The committee has worked tirelessly to connect with the Rail industry, working closely with a number of organisations to help bring members the most relevant opportunities and to deliver initiatives to promote the rail industry. We have collaboration agreements in place with a number of organisations who help us to expand our reach, and work also with not-for-profit organisations, professional institutions, and industry working groups. This means that events are predominantly free to members, providing invaluable access to those who might otherwise not be able to afford it.

YRP also emphasise the importance of diversity and inclusion in attracting new talent to the Railway Industry through an award winning Ambassadors Programme. The YRP Ambassadors provide a positive and insightful outreach presence in schools, colleges, and universities on behalf of the rail industry. They are the face of our industry, promoting and inspiring the next generation into rail. This programme is here to support the development, expansion and maintenance of a first-class, cost effective, 21st Century railway. This year, YRP is building on its ambassador success to lead the second national Railweek with companies from across the industry getting involved in the first event of its kind to show the best that our industry has to offer. The praise that YRP has received from senior managers and CEOs across the industry shows just how much impact it has had in this area.

Perhaps the most impressive part of this is that the YRP are fully run by young volunteers, who commit to the organisation alongside their day job, and show a genuine passion to encourage and develop others. The Young Rail Professionals are going from strength to strength with a membership that is ever increasing, and is ever improving to become one of the most important voices in the industry.“