Getting young Londoners onto the right track

Thursday 10th January 2019
Today’s job market is more competitive than ever. Getting that important first job can be a challenge particularly if you are young and come from a disadvantaged background. That is why South Western Railway has teamed-up with The Prince’s Trust to run a customer service employability skills courses for young people called Get into South Western Railway.

Each four-week vocational training course gives up to 14 young people a chance to develop the skills that will help them unlock their potential and build their confidence. The first two weeks of the course are spent developing and honing their skills including customer service, communication and conflict resolution. A further two weeks are then spent at stations putting what they had learned into practice.

Talking about their experience some of the recent trainees said:

Princes Trust "Right Track"“I’ve really enjoyed the training. It’s been great to see what goes on behind the scenes at South Western Railway. I never really had a goal or a dream to work towards before. Now I know what I want: a career on the railways.” Harrison Jones (24 , Hendon).

“This course has helped me to gain a lot of new skills. It could also help me in applying for jobs in the future.” Kerri Wellington (21, from Lewisham).

“Thank you for helping me achieve things I didn’t know I could do.” Brandon Wint (20, from Croydon).

Commenting on the course, Glen Willie, SWR’s Diversity and Inclusion Manager said:

“We’re really excited to be in partnership with The Prince’s Trust, giving young people the opportunity to learn new skills and to demonstrate their ability. We have already experienced some positive outcomes and have seen the difference we can make to the young people’s lives.”

To-date, South Western Railway has run two courses. Plans are already being made for a third course in May 2019.

South Western Railway is supporting the course graduates to apply for suitable jobs in the organisation and we hope that some of them will start working for us shortly.

The Prince’s Trust helps young people to get their lives on track. It supports people who are unemployed and those struggling at school and at risk of exclusion. Many of the young people helped by The Trust are in or leaving care, facing issues such as homelessness or mental health problems, or have been in trouble with the law.

Three in four young people supported by The Prince’s Trust move into work, education or training. The charity has helped 870,000 young people since 1976 and supports over 100 more each day.

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