Doncaster HS2 rail college students set for cash boost

Transport Minister Andrew Jones visited the National College for High Speed Rail - and pledged help for students.
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20th February 2017
National College for High Speed Rail, Doncaster.
Site visit by Transport Minister Andrew JonesPix: Shaun Flannery/shaunflanneryphotography.com

COPYRIGHT PICTURE>>SHAUN FLANNERY>01302-570814>>07778315553>>

20th February 2017
National College for High Speed Rail, Doncaster.
Site visit by Transport Minister Andrew Jones
Pix: Shaun Flannery/shaunflanneryphotography.com COPYRIGHT PICTURE>>SHAUN FLANNERY>01302-570814>>07778315553>> 20th February 2017 National College for High Speed Rail, Doncaster. Site visit by Transport Minister Andrew Jones

Mr Jones visited the site at Doncaster Lakeside to meet businesses supporting the creation of a new state-of-the-art engineering and technology facility in Doncaster.

He had the opportunity for a first glimpse inside the college following the completion of exterior works and the installation of industry-leading equipment for students. So far businesses have donated more than £300,000 worth of materials and in-kind support to ensure that the students of the college can learn their skills on industry-leading equipment.

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The materials - including 700 metres worth of rail track for the college’s external training grounds - have been donated through a network of suppliers thanks to the support of businesses including British Steel and Rhomberg Sersa.

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COPYRIGHT PICTURE>>SHAUN FLANNERY>01302-570814>>07778315553>>

20th February 2017
National College for High Speed Rail, Doncaster.
Site visit by Transport Minister Andrew Jones. Pictured with L-R ⬠Beth West Commercial Director for HS2 Ltd, Doncaster Mayor Ros Jones and Clair Mowbray, Chief Executive, National College for High Speed Rail - ?National College for High Speed RailPix: Shaun Flannery/shaunflanneryphotography.com

COPYRIGHT PICTURE>>SHAUN FLANNERY>01302-570814>>07778315553>>

20th February 2017
National College for High Speed Rail, Doncaster.
Site visit by Transport Minister Andrew Jones. Pictured with L-R ⬠Beth West Commercial Director for HS2 Ltd, Doncaster Mayor Ros Jones and Clair Mowbray, Chief Executive, National College for High Speed Rail - ?National College for High Speed Rail
Pix: Shaun Flannery/shaunflanneryphotography.com COPYRIGHT PICTURE>>SHAUN FLANNERY>01302-570814>>07778315553>> 20th February 2017 National College for High Speed Rail, Doncaster. Site visit by Transport Minister Andrew Jones. Pictured with L-R ⬠Beth West Commercial Director for HS2 Ltd, Doncaster Mayor Ros Jones and Clair Mowbray, Chief Executive, National College for High Speed Rail - ?National College for High Speed Rail

During the visit, Mr Jones also announced an additional £60,000 worth of funding from the Department for Transport. The funds will go directly towards the National College’s bursary schemes to help eligible students with the cost of study.

As an employer-led college, NCHSR is dedicated to solving the engineering, design, planning, manufacturing and construction skills gap in the rail industry. The college will play a key role in generating the workforce of the future who will design and build the UK’s new high-speed rail network and future rail projects.

The college in Doncaster will focus on rail engineering to reflect the rail heritage that the town is famous for.

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The college, and its sister site in Birmingham, are set to train 1,000 people every year.

Pix: Shaun Flannery/shaunflanneryphotography.com

COPYRIGHT PICTURE>>SHAUN FLANNERY>01302-570814>>07778315553>>

20th February 2017
National College for High Speed Rail, Doncaster.
Site visit by Transport Minister Andrew Jones. Pictured with L-R ⬠Beth West Commercial Director for HS2 Ltd, Doncaster Mayor Ros Jones and Clair Mowbray, Chief Executive, National College for High Speed Rail - ?National College for High Speed RailPix: Shaun Flannery/shaunflanneryphotography.com

COPYRIGHT PICTURE>>SHAUN FLANNERY>01302-570814>>07778315553>>

20th February 2017
National College for High Speed Rail, Doncaster.
Site visit by Transport Minister Andrew Jones. Pictured with L-R ⬠Beth West Commercial Director for HS2 Ltd, Doncaster Mayor Ros Jones and Clair Mowbray, Chief Executive, National College for High Speed Rail - ?National College for High Speed Rail
Pix: Shaun Flannery/shaunflanneryphotography.com COPYRIGHT PICTURE>>SHAUN FLANNERY>01302-570814>>07778315553>> 20th February 2017 National College for High Speed Rail, Doncaster. Site visit by Transport Minister Andrew Jones. Pictured with L-R ⬠Beth West Commercial Director for HS2 Ltd, Doncaster Mayor Ros Jones and Clair Mowbray, Chief Executive, National College for High Speed Rail - ?National College for High Speed Rail

Mr Jones, said: “The doors open in September and I am delighted that our new £60,000 bursary contribution, which could fund specialist training for around 10 students, will help deliver the skills and qualifications required to build the world’s most advanced passenger railway, HS2, and future rail infrastructure.”

Clair Mowbray, Chief Executive of the National College for High Speed Rail, said: “Doncaster has a proud history in the construction and maintenance of Britain’s railways. The National College for High Speed Rail will make sure it has a proud future too.

“As an employer-led college we are grateful to forward-thinking businesses like Rhomberg Sersa and British Steel, which understand the importance of making a long-term commitment to develop the next generation of rail professionals in this country. These donations will ensure students at the National College for High Speed Rail learn using the best possible equipment.

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“We are grateful for the industry support we have received to date. However, there is still much more that we can do, so we want to hear from businesses and industry professionals across South Yorkshire who are interested in helping us create a world-class skills centre in Doncaster.”

“Those interested can contact the college to pledge their support, after which they will receive more information about opportunities to work with us on addressing the UK’s current skills shortage.”

The college, which has been made possible by the Government’s £40 million investment, will see its first initial intake of students this September, and has received extremely positive support from both Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership and Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council, who donated the five-acre site on Carolina Way.

Mayor of Doncaster Ros Jones, said: “It is fantastic companies like Rhomberg Sersa, based in Doncaster, are getting behind the National College for High Speed Rail and we urge more to pledge their support.

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“The college will enable businesses to tap into highly skilled and qualified rail engineers that help take them to the next level. For young people looking for a career path into a rewarding and well paid job in an expanding sector, the college should be high on their agenda.

“Doncaster has always led the way in the rail industry and the college will cement our position as a rail town.”

British Steel has donated 41 lengths of 18 metre rail which will be installed inside the college before some of it is built around. Rhomberg Sersa’s UK managing director Carl Garrud is on the board of directors of the National College for High Speed Rail. Rhomberg Sersa has been instrumental in helping to secure the materials for the college so far and will be installing the track at the college.

Peter Smith, British Steel’s Managing Director for Rail, said: “High speed rail is a hugely important industry for this country. The National College for High Speed Rail will help train the rail engineers of the future and I am delighted that British Steel is able to support them.”

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Chris Kearns, Project Manager for Rhomberg Sersa, said: “It’s been great to be involved in the development of the college over for the last few years. So far, working with the college and our suppliers we have secured £300,000 worth of materials at no cost for the National College for High Speed Rail and this is just a part of our long-term commitment to train the rail engineers of the future”.

Businesses interested in partnering with the college and prospective students interested in finding out more about what it has to offer, can now register their interest via the newly launched website www.nchsr.ac.uk.