Which rail qualifications are best for you?

With the progression of HS2 and Crossrail, the rail industry is booming. Now is a great time to look at refreshing your industry knowledge, and gaining some qualifications that will help progress your career in the next few years.

We understand there are many qualifications out there to choose from, so we’ve outlined a few below that will help your CV stand out from the competition, and enhance your expertise in the industry.

CEng

Gaining the status of Chartered Engineer (CEng) can significantly boost your salary, and is recognised around the world. Technical Rail professionals should look at this option to highlight to potential employers their years of dedication and expertise in their industry.

Professional membership is gained through initially registering with an engineering institute that is licensed by the Engineering Council. The Institute will then organise your professional review, which may include an interview.

APM and Prince2

For any professional serious about moving into Project Management in the industry, these qualifications are essential and are recognised internationally.

There are many ways to gain qualification, with courses being available online, in a classroom or on site. The University of Westminster is one of many establishments offering the course.

Each course lasts less than a week, which is a small price to pay for the extra £10,000 a year that it is said to be added to your salary.

IRSE Accredited Technician

A niche accreditation for signalling professionals, IRSE demonstrates to potential employers that you are competent in signalling or telecommunications engineering techniques.

You will need to be recommended to the institute from a sponsor (an IRSE Fellow or Member) who is confident you will be able to pass the exams. Once written confirmation from the IRSE is gained, you should apply online, and then complete the online modules.

It is worth noting there are deadlines for application, which will affect the dates in which you are able to complete the online exam.

CSCS

Aimed towards Rail professionals who work on site, the Construction Skills Certification Scheme confirms to employers that you are capable of carrying out specific work on site safely and effectively.

There are a whole host of different CSCS cards; head over here to find our complete breakdown, to see which one is best for your rail career. From our experience, the Manager card is the most valuable for Rail professionals.

What qualifications do you hold that you feel have helped to progress your career in the rail industry? We’d love to hear what has boosted your CV!