Overview

Are you ready to take the next step in your career within the railway industry? Whether you're looking for a fresh start, a better job, or new skills to grow your business, Skills Bootcamps are here to help you succeed.

Designed to give adults the chance to build up sector-specific skills, this FREE eight-week Skills Bootcamp in rail engineering is a great way to fast track into a new career.

Our Skills Bootcamps fill up fast, so don’t miss this chance to fast-track your career.

Date, Time and Location

The Skills Bootcamp will be held at the Gene Haas Centre for Advanced Manufacturing

Upcoming Start dates: Monday 12 January 2026 | Monday 2 February 2026

Time: 9am-4pm

Please note: Prior to starting the Skills Bootcamp, you are required to attend an information session called 'Thinking of working in rail?'. The sessions take place from 9am-12pm at the Gene Haas Centre for Advanced Manufacturing and will involve a presentation followed by a short interview to ensure you are suitable to study this course.

What are Skills Bootcamps?

Skills Bootcamps are free, flexible, and career-focused courses designed for adults aged 19 and over. Created in partnership with local employers, these short part-time courses teach you in-demand skills tailored to real job opportunities in your area.

The best part? Completing a Skills Bootcamp guarantees you a job interview with a local employer, putting you one step closer to a well-paid, flexible, and sustainable career.

Why choose Skills Bootcamps?

FREE training funded by the Government or the EMCCA.

Designed to address real skills shortages and match current job vacancies.

Opportunities to progress to a higher-level course, new job, apprenticeship, or even grow your own business.

A guaranteed job interview with an employer when you finish.

What will I study?

During the course you will cover:

Health and safety awareness.
Manual handling awareness.
Fire safety awareness.
Basic first aid awareness.
Hand tools and track components.
Safe site set-up.
Track geometry.
Interview preparation and CVs.
Communicating with others professionally.

Are you an employer?

Skills Bootcamps can benefit your business by offering you the opportunity to upskill your existing staff, recruit new employees, or support your own business, if self-employed.

Contact our employer engagement team to find out more 0800 121 8317.

Entry requirements
Be aged 19 or over (on 31 August 2024).
Been a resident in the UK for the last 3 years.
Be unemployed and in receipt of qualifying benefits OR employed but earning less than £25,750 per year, living outside the EMCCA area* OR employed earning less than £33,976.80 per year, living within the EMCCA area*. (proof required).
Working at a minimum of a Level 1 in English Language and Maths.
Learners declaring previous convictions will undertake a review and if required, attend an exceptional needs panel. However, learners who have been convicted of theft from the railways are unlikely to be employed in the rail industry.
You must also undertake and pass a random Network Rail Medical and Drugs and Alcohol test during the course.
Please note: If you have any licence conditions stating that you must not have unsupervised contact with under 18’s then your application cannot be processed or accepted due to the course being held on a site where there are students aged under 18. To avoid any disappointment or confusion please do not apply if this is the case.
Progression
After you’ve successfully finished the Skills Bootcamp, you’re guaranteed a job interview with an employer.
Additionally with the enhanced skills and knowledge you have gained you could also progress onto our Level 2 Diploma in Rail Engineering and Track Maintenance course, get a new job or apprenticeship, progress in your current job or find new business opportunities if you're self-employed.
Careers

Disclaimer

Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information on the Website is correct, some details may be subject to change. West Nottinghamshire College reserves the right to make amendments to the courses, dates, fees or other details, and to make cancellations or changes if numbers are insufficient. In the unfortunate situation that we have to cancel a course we will refund your fees in full, but we regret we are not able to offer any refund if you withdraw from your course or fail to start, and you will be liable to pay any outstanding fees that may be due.