Tag: rail

Recruitment offers a unique foundation for nearly any career path. Working in recruitment teaches a range of transferable skills that are valuable in various industries. Here’s how a career in recruitment can set you up for success, no matter where you go next:

1. Communication Skills

Recruitment requires constant communication with clients, candidates, and colleagues. You quickly learn how to:

  • Communicate effectively across different channels (phone, email, in person)
  • Adapt your tone and approach to suit different people
  • Listen actively and address concerns clearly

These communication skills are essential in almost every job and industry.

2. Negotiation and Persuasion

Recruitment involves negotiation—whether it’s salary discussions, job offers, or managing client expectations. You develop the ability to:

  • Negotiate terms in a way that benefits both parties
  • Persuade and influence others based on logic and emotion

These skills apply to sales, management, and leadership roles, among many others.

3. Problem-Solving

In recruitment, challenges arise regularly, whether it’s filling a tough role or handling difficult client demands. You’ll learn to:

  • Identify the root of the problem
  • Find creative solutions under time pressure
  • Think critically to resolve issues

Problem-solving is a crucial skill across all professions.

4. Time Management

Recruitment often involves juggling multiple clients, candidates, and deadlines. You quickly master the art of:

  • Prioritising tasks based on urgency
  • Managing competing demands effectively
  • Staying organised under pressure

This is useful in any fast-paced or high-demand role.

5. Networking

Building relationships is key in recruitment. Over time, you’ll:

  • Develop a strong professional network
  • Learn how to maintain relationships over time
  • Gain insights into various industries and job markets

Networking is a skill that benefits anyone looking to grow their career.

6. Resilience

The recruitment world can be tough—dealing with rejection, meeting targets, and managing fluctuating workloads. You’ll develop:

  • Mental toughness and the ability to stay focused
  • A proactive attitude toward overcoming setbacks

Resilience helps you thrive in high-pressure environments in any career.

7. Understanding People

You spend a lot of time interacting with different personalities in recruitment. This helps you:

  • Understand what motivates people
  • Identify skill sets, strengths, and weaknesses
  • Manage people effectively

These insights are valuable whether you go into leadership or any role that requires interpersonal skills. Explore our opportunities, here.

Recruitment is an ever-evolving field, shaped by shifts in technology, market demands, and candidate expectations. At Advance TRS, we’ve adapted to these changes to remain at the forefront of the recruitment industry. Here’s how we’re navigating these trends and preparing for the future.

1. Embracing Technology

The role of technology in recruitment has grown significantly. Key changes include:

  • Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS): Streamlining candidate management and ensuring no talent is overlooked.
  • AI and automation: Helping us screen CVs, schedule interviews, and identify top candidates faster.
  • Digital tools for remote hiring: Platforms like video conferencing enable seamless recruitment processes for global talent.

2. Adapting to Candidate Expectations

Today’s candidates expect more from employers and recruiters. We’ve seen:

  • A shift towards flexible working arrangements.
  • Increased demand for diversity and inclusion in workplaces.
  • Greater emphasis on career growth and development opportunities.

3. Industry-Specific Challenges

Recruitment within infrastructure markets such as rail, water, and construction faces unique challenges, including:

  • Skills shortages in critical areas.
  • Increasing demand for sustainable practices and green skills.
  • The impact of large-scale infrastructure projects on workforce needs.

Our team’s specialised knowledge ensures we can navigate these complexities and deliver high-quality recruitment solutions.

4. Data-Driven Decision Making

Data plays a vital role in modern recruitment. At Advance TRS, we use insights to:

  • Monitor market trends and salary benchmarks.
  • Understand client and candidate behaviours.
  • Refine our strategies for better outcomes.

These data-driven decisions help us provide tailored services that meet evolving needs.

5. Prioritising Relationships

Despite technological advancements, recruitment remains a people-focused industry. We prioritise:

  • Building lasting relationships with clients and candidates.
  • Providing ongoing support after placements.
  • Maintaining open communication throughout the recruitment process.

This commitment to personalised service sets us apart in an increasingly automated landscape.

Preparing for the Future

As the recruitment industry continues to evolve, we’re focused on staying ahead by:

  • Investing in the latest tools and training.
  • Expanding our expertise in key infrastructure markets.
  • Championing diversity and sustainability in recruitment practices.

Interested in working with us? Check out our available opportunities, here.

If you’re considering a move from sales to recruitment, you’re already equipped with valuable skills that can help you succeed. Recruitment shares many similarities with sales, from building relationships to achieving targets. Here are five transferable skills that will give you a head start in the recruitment industry.

1. Communication and Relationship Building

In sales, you’ve learned to:

  • Build trust with clients through clear and persuasive communication.
  • Understand client needs and tailor your approach accordingly.
  • Maintain relationships over time to encourage repeat business.

In recruitment, these skills help you connect with candidates and clients, ensuring you match the right people to the right opportunities.

2. Negotiation

Successful sales professionals know how to negotiate deals that work for everyone involved. This skill directly applies to recruitment, where you’ll:

  • Negotiate salaries, benefits, and contracts between candidates and employers.
  • Balance the expectations of both parties to create win-win outcomes.

Your ability to navigate these conversations can make placements smoother and more successful.

3. Target-Driven Mindset

Sales roles often involve meeting quotas and achieving KPIs. In recruitment, you’ll need the same focus on targets, including:

  • Filling roles within specific timeframes.
  • Achieving placement or revenue goals.
  • Building and maintaining a healthy pipeline of candidates and clients.

A competitive mindset and goal-oriented approach are key in both industries.

4. Problem-Solving

In sales, overcoming objections and finding solutions for clients are everyday tasks. Recruitment similarly requires:

  • Resolving mismatches between candidate skills and job requirements.
  • Addressing client concerns about candidates.
  • Adapting quickly to changing priorities or urgent roles.

Your problem-solving skills ensure you can tackle challenges effectively.

5. Time Management

Managing leads, calls, and meetings efficiently is a cornerstone of sales success. In recruitment, you’ll juggle:

  • Sourcing candidates for multiple roles.
  • Scheduling interviews and follow-ups.
  • Prioritising urgent vacancies alongside long-term client relationships.

Effective time management allows you to stay productive and meet deadlines.

Final Thoughts

Sales professionals often transition smoothly into recruitment because of these transferable skills. If you’re ready for a career that combines relationship-building, problem-solving, and achieving results, recruitment could be the perfect fit.

Interested in making the switch? Explore opportunities with Advance TRS today.

Negotiating a salary can be daunting, but as an engineer, your skills are in demand, and you deserve to be compensated fairly. Here are practical steps to approach salary discussions with confidence and secure the best offer.

1. Research Market Rates

Understanding your value in the market is essential. To do this:

  • Check industry benchmarks: Use resources like salary surveys, job boards, and industry reports.
  • Factor in location and specialisms: Salaries vary by region and expertise (e.g., civil engineering vs. software engineering).
  • Network with peers: Join professional groups or forums to gain insights into typical compensation packages.

This knowledge gives you a solid foundation for your negotiations.

2. Evaluate Your Worth

Consider what makes you stand out as a candidate. Assess:

  • Your skills and experience: Highlight technical proficiencies, certifications, and years in the field.
  • Achievements: Quantify your impact on previous projects (e.g., “Saved £50,000 by optimising design processes”).
  • Soft skills: Team leadership, problem-solving, and communication can boost your value.

Be ready to articulate these points during discussions.

3. Time It Right

Timing is key to successful salary negotiations.

  • Job offer stage: Negotiate after receiving an offer but before accepting it.
  • Annual reviews: Use performance appraisals to discuss raises if you’re in a current role.
  • Industry demand: Leverage times when your expertise is highly sought after (e.g., post-pandemic infrastructure growth).

Approaching negotiations at the right moment increases your leverage.

4. Approach the Conversation Confidently

Preparation helps you communicate effectively:

  • Set a range: Have a realistic salary range in mind based on your research.
  • Focus on value: Frame your request around the value you bring to the organisation.
  • Stay professional: Use clear, respectful language and avoid emotional arguments.

For example, say, “Based on my skills and the market rate for this role, I believe a salary of £60,000 aligns with my expertise and contributions.”

5. Consider the Entire Package

Salary isn’t the only factor in negotiations. Assess:

  • Bonuses: Performance-based or signing bonuses.
  • Benefits: Pension contributions, healthcare, or training budgets.
  • Work-life balance: Flexible hours, remote options, or additional leave.

Weighing the total package ensures you make an informed decision.

Final Thoughts

Negotiating your salary as an engineer is about preparation, confidence, and understanding your worth. By researching market rates, presenting your value, and maintaining professionalism, you can secure a compensation package that reflects your skills and contributions.

Ready to explore roles that value your expertise? Head here.

As an engineering professional, it’s easy to get comfortable in your current role. But staying too long in a job that no longer serves your career goals can hold you back. Here are five signs it might be time to look for new opportunities.

1. You’ve Stopped Growing

Engineering is a field that thrives on innovation and continuous learning. If you’re:

  • No longer challenged by your projects
  • Stuck in repetitive tasks with no scope for growth
  • Or not gaining new skills

It could mean your current role isn’t helping you progress. Growth stagnation often signals it’s time to move on.

2. Lack of Job Satisfaction

Your work should feel fulfilling. If you’re:

  • Dreading Mondays
  • Feeling disconnected from your projects
  • Or noticing a drop in motivation

It’s worth considering whether your role aligns with your interests and values.

3. No Clear Path Forward

A lack of advancement opportunities can be frustrating. Ask yourself:

  • Are promotions rare or non-existent?
  • Are you unsure about what’s next for your career?
  • Is the company’s vision misaligned with your goals?

If the answers point to a dead end, exploring new roles could open doors to leadership or specialised positions.

4. You’re Undervalued

Feeling undervalued is a common reason to seek change. Signs include:

  • Not being recognised for your contributions,
  • Receiving stagnant or below-market compensation,
  • Or being passed over for promotions.

In a competitive industry like engineering, your skills and effort should be appreciated.

5. Better Opportunities Are Available

Sometimes the decision to leave isn’t about dissatisfaction but about growth. Keep an eye on:

  • Roles offering higher pay or better benefits,
  • Opportunities to work on exciting projects,
  • Or companies with a stronger commitment to professional development.

The engineering market often has a wealth of options, so don’t be afraid to explore them.

Taking the Next Step

If these signs resonate, it’s time to assess your career direction. Research opportunities, update your CV, and connect with recruitment specialists who can help you find a role that matches your aspirations.

Advance TRS specialises in placing engineering professionals in roles that challenge and inspire them. Get in touch today to explore what’s next for you.

LinkedIn is a powerful tool for engineering professionals to showcase skills, connect with industry leaders, and find career opportunities. A strong profile can help you stand out in a competitive market. Here’s how to make the most of it:

1. Optimise Your Profile Basics

  • Professional Photo: Use a high-quality image in business attire or project-appropriate clothing.
  • Headline: Highlight your role and specialisms (e.g., “Civil Engineer | Rail Infrastructure Specialist”).
  • Location: Set your current location or target area to improve search visibility.

2. Craft a Strong Summary

Your summary is your elevator pitch. Include:

  • Key skills and expertise.
  • Notable projects or achievements.
  • Career aspirations and what sets you apart.

For example: “Experienced structural engineer with a track record of delivering complex infrastructure projects on time and within budget. Skilled in BIM and sustainable design.”

3. Highlight Experience and Achievements

  • Project-Specific Roles: Detail your contributions to major projects.
  • Metrics: Use numbers to quantify your impact (e.g., “Saved 20% in material costs by implementing alternative design solutions”).
  • Keywords: Include industry-relevant terms to improve searchability.

4. Leverage Recommendations and Skills

  • Request recommendations from supervisors, colleagues, or clients to validate your expertise.
  • List skills that align with your industry (e.g., AutoCAD, geotechnical engineering, project management).
  • Ask for endorsements to boost profile credibility.

5. Stay Active and Engage

  • Post Regular Updates: Share industry news, opinions, or your achievements.
  • Engage with Content: Comment on or share posts from peers and industry leaders.
  • Join Groups: Participate in engineering-related discussions to expand your network.

Final Thoughts

A well-maintained LinkedIn profile can open doors to new projects, partnerships, and career advancements. Invest time in presenting your professional brand effectively, and you’ll be well-placed to capitalise on opportunities in the engineering field.

Check out our current opportunities, here.

At Advance TRS, quality isn’t a buzzword; it’s the foundation of everything we do. Our rigorous standards ensure that every placement delivers value for clients, candidates, and contractors. Here’s how we measure and maintain quality at every stage of the recruitment process.

Rigorous Candidate Screening

We thoroughly assess each candidate’s:

  • Technical Skills: Verifying qualifications, certifications, and practical expertise.
  • Industry Experience: Ensuring familiarity with sector-specific requirements.
  • Cultural Fit: Matching candidates with the values and environment of the client’s organisation.

Our in-depth interviews and reference checks reduce mismatches and ensure candidates are well-suited to the role.

Tailored Recruitment Processes

Each placement begins with a detailed consultation to understand:

  • Client Objectives: The role’s responsibilities and how it supports broader business goals.
  • Project Requirements: Technical demands, timelines, and compliance needs.
  • Candidate Expectations: Aligning opportunities with career aspirations and availability.

This personalised approach helps us consistently deliver high-quality matches.

Metrics That Matter

We track our performance using key metrics, including:

  • Time-to-Fill: Measuring efficiency without sacrificing quality.
  • Retention Rates: Tracking how well placements meet long-term client needs.
  • Candidate Satisfaction: Using post-placement surveys to evaluate the experience.
  • Client Feedback: Regular reviews to ensure ongoing alignment with expectations.

These metrics provide actionable insights to refine our processes and maintain service excellence.

Client Feedback Loops

We believe continuous improvement starts with listening. Our feedback mechanisms include:

  • Regular Check-Ins: Ongoing communication during and after placements.
  • Performance Reviews: Discussing the success of placements and areas for improvement.
  • Structured Feedback Forms: Gathering data from clients and candidates for analysis.

This proactive approach helps us adapt and refine our services over time.

Post-Placement Support

Our commitment doesn’t end when the contract is signed. We provide:

  • Onboarding Assistance: Helping candidates transition smoothly into new roles.
  • Performance Monitoring: Checking in with both parties to address any issues early.
  • Contractor Care: Ensuring contractors have ongoing support throughout their assignments.

This support system fosters strong relationships and ensures placements remain successful.

High Standards, Proven Results

With over a decade of experience in infrastructure recruitment, our dedication to quality has earned us:

  • A reputation for delivering skilled professionals for critical projects.
  • Long-term partnerships with leading companies in rail, construction, and energy.
  • Repeat business driven by client and candidate trust.

Partner with Advance TRS

If you’re looking for recruitment solutions that prioritise quality at every step, Advance TRS is here to help. Let’s achieve excellence together.

Contact us today to discuss your recruitment needs.

The rail and construction sectors are evolving rapidly, driven by new technologies, sustainability demands, and stricter safety and compliance standards. At Advance TRS, we specialise in matching skilled professionals with roles that align with these evolving industry requirements. Here’s how we do it.

Understanding Industry Evolution

Key changes shaping rail and construction include:

  • Digital Transformation: Adoption of Building Information Modelling (BIM), digital twins, and automated systems.
  • Sustainability Goals: A focus on low-carbon construction, renewable energy integration, and sustainable materials.
  • Modern Safety Standards: Adherence to rigorous health and safety protocols across all project stages.
  • Infrastructure Investments: Projects like HS2 and smart city developments demand specialised expertise.

Our team stays ahead of these trends to deliver recruitment solutions that support innovation and compliance.

Tailored Recruitment for Rail

In the rail sector, we provide professionals skilled in:

  • Signalling and Telecommunications: Supporting modern train control systems and connectivity.
  • Civil Engineering: Expertise in geotechnical, structural design, and bridge construction.
  • Project Management: Leadership for large-scale infrastructure projects.

These roles are essential for the safe and efficient operation of the UK’s rail network.

Bespoke Solutions for Construction

For construction, we match candidates with expertise in:

  • Site Management: Coordinating project timelines, resources, and on-site safety.
  • Structural Engineering: Designing and assessing frameworks for durability and efficiency.
  • Quantity Surveying: Managing budgets and ensuring cost-effective delivery.
  • Sustainable Practices: Professionals with experience in green building techniques.

Whether it’s a commercial development or infrastructure upgrade, we source talent equipped to meet project goals.

A People-First Approach

We know that the right people make all the difference. Our recruitment process focuses on:

  • Client Collaboration: Understanding project requirements and business objectives.
  • Candidate Vetting: Ensuring professionals meet the technical and behavioural demands of the role.
  • Ongoing Support: Maintaining relationships with contractors and staff throughout their placements.

This approach helps us build long-term partnerships with both clients and candidates.

Adapting to Future Demands

As rail and construction industries embrace innovations like modular building and electrified transport systems, the need for adaptable, skilled professionals will only grow. Advance TRS is committed to connecting businesses with the talent they need to thrive in this dynamic environment.

Partner with Us

Looking to meet evolving industry standards in rail or construction? Let Advance TRS help you find the right skillsets to deliver success, here.

The infrastructure sector is booming, with numerous projects underway and more on the horizon. However, this rapid growth is being held back by a significant challenge—skills shortages. With the demand for skilled professionals in fields like rail, construction, and energy outpacing supply, many businesses are struggling to find the right talent to complete their projects on time and within budget.

At Advance TRS, we recognise this challenge and have developed strategies to help our clients navigate the talent gap in today’s tight market.

The Skills Shortage Challenge

The infrastructure industry is experiencing an acute shortage of qualified professionals across various disciplines. The shortage is especially pronounced in specialised areas like civil engineering, project management, signalling and telecommunications, and construction management. With many workers in the sector nearing retirement and few new professionals entering, businesses face heightened competition for the available talent, which often leads to project delays.

Organisations need a recruitment partner who understands the industry’s complexities and can access a wide pool of skilled candidates. That’s where we come in.

Navigating Skills Shortages in the Built Environment

How Advance TRS Tackles the Skills Shortage

At Advance TRS, our industry expertise and extensive network enable us to effectively address the skills gap. Here’s how we help clients find the right talent:

Industry Expertise and Network

Our team consists of professionals with a deep understanding of the built environment and infrastructure sectors. This allows us to quickly identify candidates with the right skills and experience. We don’t just focus on qualifications—we consider cultural fit, ensuring the talent we source aligns with our clients’ values and team dynamics.

Proactive Talent Sourcing

In a competitive market, sourcing talent often requires a proactive approach. We engage with candidates who may not be actively job hunting but are open to discussing future opportunities. For example, when a rail sector client needed a signalling design engineer, we tapped into our specialised network and found an experienced candidate who had worked on large infrastructure projects. This candidate had the technical expertise and experience to integrate quickly into the team.

Building a Sustainable Talent Pipeline

At Advance TRS, we don’t just fill current vacancies; we focus on building long-term talent pipelines. We collaborate with educational institutions and industry bodies to promote careers in infrastructure, helping attract new professionals to the sector. Through partnerships with universities and training programmes, we’re helping to nurture the next generation of skilled workers.

Our ongoing engagement with candidates ensures that we have access to a steady stream of potential talent, keeping them informed about industry developments and future opportunities.

Supporting Clients in a Competitive Market

As skills shortages continue to challenge the infrastructure sector, Advance TRS is committed to helping clients find the right talent to meet their needs. By combining our expertise, proactive approach, and long-term talent strategies, we’re ensuring that our clients can overcome these challenges and deliver their projects successfully.

How to Remain Competitive in the Evolving Built Environment Job Market

Partner with us to navigate today’s talent acquisition challenges and secure the skilled professionals you need to succeed. Explore our services, here.

As an engineer, your portfolio is your chance to showcase your expertise and prove your capabilities to potential employers. A strong portfolio highlights relevant projects, demonstrates your technical skills, and reflects your professional approach to problem-solving. Here’s how to craft one that stands out.

1. Focus on Relevant Projects

Include projects that are directly related to the type of engineering roles you’re applying for. Employers want to see your experience aligns with their needs.

  • Highlight projects that solve problems similar to those in the role you’re targeting.
  • For each project, include a clear description, objectives, and outcomes.
  • Quantify your results wherever possible (e.g., “Reduced system downtime by 25%”).

2. Demonstrate Technical Skills

Your portfolio should showcase your technical expertise through the tools, techniques, and methodologies you’ve used.

  • List specific technologies, programming languages, or equipment used in each project.
  • Include diagrams, CAD models, or screenshots that illustrate your work.
  • If applicable, link to a GitHub repository or other digital platform where employers can explore your code or designs.

Top 5 In-Demand Engineering Skills 2025

3. Use Visuals Effectively

Clear and professional visuals can make your portfolio more engaging and easier to understand.

  • Use images of completed projects, prototypes, or test setups.
  • Incorporate annotated diagrams to explain complex concepts.
  • Keep visuals consistent in style and quality throughout.

4. Tailor It for Each Application

Different roles may require different emphases. Tailor your portfolio to showcase the most relevant skills and projects for each position.

  • For example, for a structural engineering role, focus on projects with load analysis and construction documentation. For an electronics position, emphasise circuit design and testing.
  • Adjust the order of your portfolio to feature the most impactful projects first.

Crafting a Standout CV | Engineering Career Advice | Advance TRS

5. Presentation Tips

How you present your portfolio matters as much as its content.

  • Organise your portfolio into clear sections (e.g., About Me, Key Projects, Skills).
  • Include a brief introduction for context. For example, “I specialise in renewable energy systems, focusing on efficiency and sustainability.”
  • Use a professional, clean layout to ensure it’s easy to read.

Bonus Tip: Keep It Up-to-Date

Your portfolio should reflect your latest experience and skills. Regularly update it with new projects and remove outdated or less relevant ones.

Why Your Portfolio Matters

A well-crafted engineering portfolio does more than just show your skills—it sets you apart from other candidates. It gives employers confidence in your abilities and provides concrete evidence of your expertise. Take the time to create a portfolio that leaves a lasting impression.

Looking to advance your career? Check out our jobs available, here.

Recruitment and sales share a fundamental principle: success depends on effective communication. If you have a background in sales, the skills you’ve developed—like active listening, persuasion, and managing relationships—provide a strong foundation for a career in recruitment. Here’s how these skills translate seamlessly to the recruitment world.

Could you transition from sales into recruitment?

Active Listening

In sales, listening to your client’s needs is essential for closing deals. Recruitment works the same way. Understanding what a client wants in a candidate—or what a candidate seeks in a role—requires you to actively listen, not just hear. Asking the right follow-up questions and showing genuine interest builds trust and helps you uncover insights that lead to better matches.

Persuasion

Sales experience equips you with the art of persuasion, a key skill in recruitment. Whether you’re encouraging a client to consider a candidate outside the original brief or helping a candidate see the benefits of a particular role, your ability to present compelling arguments makes all the difference. Effective persuasion isn’t about being pushy; it’s about understanding needs and framing solutions in a way that resonates.

Building Relationships

Strong relationships are central to both sales and recruitment. In sales, you work to build trust with clients to secure repeat business. In recruitment, the relationships you develop with candidates and clients create long-term partnerships. Your sales background likely taught you how to nurture these connections, handle objections, and maintain a professional rapport—skills that are just as important when managing recruitment pipelines.

Tailoring Your Communication

Salespeople excel at adapting their pitch to suit different audiences, and this adaptability is crucial in recruitment. You might need to explain technical roles to candidates with limited industry knowledge or present a candidate’s strengths to a sceptical client. Tailored communication ensures your message lands effectively, no matter who you’re speaking to.

Handling Rejections

Both sales and recruitment come with their fair share of rejections. Your experience in sales likely taught you to handle “no” professionally and pivot to the next opportunity. In recruitment, this resilience helps you stay motivated when placements don’t work out and keeps you focused on finding the right solution.

Why Communication Matters in Recruitment

Recruitment is about connecting the right people to the right opportunities, and communication is the glue that holds everything together. Sales experience gives you the tools to engage effectively with people, adapt to their needs, and build trust. These skills help you not just succeed in recruitment but thrive.

Could You Turn a Job in Sales into a Career in Recruitment? – Advance TRS

If you’re considering a career in recruitment, your sales background may already have set you up for success. Ready to take the leap? Get in touch to learn more about recruitment opportunities with us, here.

Recruitment is often seen as a role focused on matching candidates to jobs, but it’s far more dynamic than that. A career in recruitment equips you with a diverse range of skills that you might not anticipate when starting out. These abilities can shape you into a well-rounded professional, opening doors to other industries and leadership roles. Here are five unexpected skills you’ll gain as a recruiter:

1. Negotiation

Recruitment is all about balancing the needs of candidates and clients. You’ll regularly negotiate salaries, benefits, and start dates, finding solutions that work for everyone involved. These negotiations often go beyond numbers, requiring you to manage expectations and align interests delicately. Over time, you’ll develop a confident and persuasive approach to handling these conversations, a skill that’s invaluable in business, sales, and leadership roles.

2. Emotional Intelligence

Recruitment puts you in the middle of people’s career journeys, often during moments of change or uncertainty. You’ll need to understand motivations, read body language, and respond empathetically to concerns. Emotional intelligence becomes second nature, allowing you to build trust and maintain strong relationships with both candidates and clients. This skill isn’t just about connecting with others—it’s about managing your own emotions during high-pressure situations, which is essential for professional growth.

3. Time Management

Recruiters juggle a lot—multiple vacancies, competing client deadlines, and candidate communications. You’ll quickly learn how to prioritise tasks, work efficiently, and manage your time effectively. With so many moving parts, recruitment sharpens your ability to keep things running smoothly without missing key details. This level of organisation and adaptability is highly transferable to project management, operations, and other demanding roles.

4. Industry Expertise

When you recruit for a specific sector, you gain a deep understanding of that field. You’ll learn about industry trends, technical jargon, and what top talent looks like for various roles. Over time, this knowledge makes you a trusted advisor to clients and candidates alike. Whether it’s construction, telecoms, or finance, this expertise sets you apart as someone who doesn’t just fill jobs but truly understands the market.

5. Resilience

Recruitment is a high-pressure field with plenty of highs and lows. Candidates might drop out at the last minute, or clients could change their requirements unexpectedly. These challenges teach you to bounce back quickly, stay positive, and focus on the next opportunity. Resilience is an underrated skill, but it’s crucial for thriving in any fast-paced or competitive environment.

Why Recruitment is More Than Just Filling Jobs – Advance TRS

Why These Skills Matter

The skills you develop in recruitment aren’t limited to the job itself. They can enhance your performance in other industries, strengthen your ability to lead, and make you more effective in building meaningful professional relationships. Recruitment doesn’t just grow your career—it equips you with tools that stay with you for life.

Why No Two Days in Recruitment Are the Same – Advance TRS

Ready to explore what recruitment could do for you? Take a look at our work for us page, here.

Could you transition from sales into recruitment?

This year has been packed with achievements, new ventures, and memorable moments. From celebrating our team’s successes to expanding into new markets, we’ve strengthened our position in the built environment sector. Here’s a look back at 2024’s highlights. 

Staff Achievements 

Anniversaries: 

We celebrated the dedication and contributions of four of our team members reaching career milestones. Our Rail & Infrastructure Director, Sam Jennings, achieved an impressive 10 years of service, whilst Katie Walker, Sean Brown and Jake Rodger all marked 5 years at Advance TRS!  

Promotions:  

Many of our team members advanced in their careers, this year. Congratulations to: 

Michelle Marsh – Head of Payroll Accounts & Credit Control 

Louise Oldham – Lead Delivery Manager 

Josh Hill – Lead Principal Consultant 

Ella Gilbody – Group Business Operations Director 

Michael Schruyers – Group Sales Operations Director 

Chris Spurdle – Group Business Development Manager 

Maia Devonshire – Senior Recruitment Resourcer 

Charlie Knight – Delivery Team Leader 

Alex Shaw – Lead Principal Consultant 

Calum French – Senior Recruitment Resourcer 

Charlotte Tunstall – Compliance Executive 

Everyone’s commitment and impact have been invaluable, and we’re proud to recognise their achievements. 

New Starters:  

We also welcomed fresh talent to our Sales and Business Services Teams: Jade Freer, Jessica McMahon, Callum Meek, Tommy Hurst, Elia Corkery, Billy Mitchell, Darryll Gibson, and Kirsten Lynch. We’re excited to have them on board and look forward to their contributions in the years ahead. 

Company Highlights 

This year saw two exciting launches for us – being milestones that demonstrate our ongoing commitment to growth, innovation, and delivering tailored solutions across the built environment. 

  • The Launch of CITILINE: In February, we expanded our service portfolio with the introduction of CITILINE, a specialist Telecommunications and M&E recruitment consultancy. Led by Ben Shayegan, who has spent the last decade building his expertise at Advance TRS, CITILINE combines industry insight with an extensive network to deliver top-tier technical professionals. This new brand reflects our commitment to providing quality recruitment solutions across a growing range of industries. 
  • Energy & Renewables Desk: We also launched a dedicated Energy & Renewables desk to meet the needs of this fast-evolving sector. Jake Jessey, with over 27 years of technical recruitment experience, now leads this division, supported by a team of industry experts. From Offshore Wind Engineers to HV Transmission specialists, we’re connecting businesses with the talent needed to power the future. 

Advance TRS Group launches new brand, CITILINE – Advance TRS 
Introducing Advance TRS’s Energy & Renewables Desk – Advance TRS 

Events and Conferences 

This year, we came together for many key events and celebrations. In April, we kicked things off with a company-wide conference, followed by a summer gathering at the beautiful Albury Vineyard. To close the year, our October conference took a creative twist as we hired out an Odeon cinema screen to spotlight everyone’s achievements and highlight company successes from the past quarter.

Incentives and Trips: 

We enjoyed some fantastic incentives and trips this year to celebrate our teams hard-work, including a visit to the South of France for our 100% Club and a festive outing to Winter Wonderland for the winners of our Christmas Quiz incentive.

Community and Charity Initiatives 

On the charity front, we continued our charity efforts with the 4th annual Advance TRS Golf Day in partnership with Railway Children, raising an impressive £30,000. Other initiatives included the Dragon Boat Race for WaterAid and some of the Guildford team taking part in Movember. Altogether, we’ve raised £108,068 for charity and are excited to continue fundraising for charities close to our hearts in 2025. 

Advance TRS Golf Day for Railway Children 2024  – Advance TRS 

Advance TRS Take on the WaterAid Dragon Boat Race   – Advance TRS 

Advance TRS raising money for Movember – Advance TRS 

Alongside our fundraising efforts, Sam Riley’s volunteer work with Young Rail Professionals has been a standout example of community involvement this year. He played a key role in organising events like the Chrome Angel Solutions Digital AI event in London, which brought together rail professionals to promote collaboration and innovation. His ongoing contributions to YRP reflect Advance TRS’s values and commitment to supporting industry growth and professional development. 

Sam Riley – Young Rail Professionals  – Advance TRS 

Young Rail Professionals Event: Sam Riley & Chrome Angel – Advance TRS 

Awards 

We ended the year on a high by being named Recruitment Firm of the Year at the Growing Business Awards. This recognition highlights the dedication and expertise of our team. Being acknowledged alongside leading organisations underscores the impact of our work and inspires us to keep delivering exceptional results for our clients, candidates, and contractors. 

Growing Business Awards 2024 – Advance TRS Recruitment Firm of the Year  

End of Year Thoughts 

2024 has been a year of progress and success, driven by the dedication of our team and the support of our clients, candidates, and contractors. As we wrap up the year, we’re excited to build on this momentum for an even better 2025.  

We are delighted to announce that Advance TRS and CITILINE have been recommended for full recertification of ISO 45001 (Health & Safety) and ISO 27001 (Information Security) following a rigorous two-day audit. Impressively, no non-conformances or areas for improvement were identified, underscoring our commitment to operational excellence.

Recruitment compliance is key to our level of service at Advance TRS

Why These Certifications Matter

Achieving ISO 45001 demonstrates our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of health and safety across our operations. This is vital for protecting our staff, clients, contractors, and candidates in often challenging industries such as rail, water, environment, highways, energy, and telecoms.

ISO 27001 highlights our dedication to safeguarding information and data security. In a world where data breaches and cyber threats are on the rise, this certification reassures our clients and stakeholders that their information is handled with the utmost care.

These certifications not only solidify our reputation as a trusted recruitment partner but also enable us to maintain our place on key Preferred Supplier Lists (PSLs) and frameworks. This means our clients can have confidence in our systems, processes, and ability to deliver safe, secure, and reliable services.

Advance TRS certifications and awards for the best service possible

A Team Effort

Maintaining these high standards requires hard work and collaboration. A huge thank you to everyone who works hard year-round to uphold these management systems, and to those who supported the audit process by answering questions and demonstrating our commitment to compliance.

A special congratulations goes to our Health & Safety Manager, Lauren, and our Group Business Operations Director, Ella Gardiner, for their exceptional work on our information security systems – the auditor’s positive feedback led to a reduced audit schedule, recognising the efficiency and excellence of the systems in place.

Responsibility at Advance TRS Specialist Recruiters

Looking Ahead

With this achievement secured, our focus now turns to preparing for the upcoming RISQS audit in three weeks. We remain committed to continuous improvement, ensuring we deliver the best possible service for our clients, candidates, and contractors.

If you’d like to learn more about how our certifications support our work across our sectors, head here.

Recruitment offers a level of variety and unpredictability that keeps the job fresh and engaging. No two days are the same, thanks to the mix of tasks, challenges, and opportunities to work with people. If you enjoy a fast-moving environment with plenty of variety, it’s a career worth considering.

A Mix of Tasks Every Day

As a recruiter, your day could involve:

  • Sourcing candidates: Using job boards, LinkedIn, and your network to find the right talent.
  • Screening CVs and conducting interviews: Evaluating skills, experience, and cultural fit.
  • Building relationships: Speaking with clients to understand their needs and candidates to support their career goals.
  • Negotiating offers: Acting as a mediator to align expectations and finalise placements.
  • Administrative work: Updating databases, writing job descriptions, or coordinating interview schedules.

The combination of these tasks means you’re always switching gears, keeping things fresh.

Why Recruitment is More Than Just Filling Jobs – Advance TRS

The Element of Surprise

Recruitment is inherently unpredictable. Candidates can drop out of interviews, clients may change their requirements, or new roles can suddenly land in your lap. Success often depends on your ability to adapt quickly and find solutions.

5 Things You Might Not Know About Working in Recruitment  – Advance TRS

Balancing People and Business

Recruitment isn’t just about filling roles; it’s about connecting people to opportunities. On one side, you’re a trusted advisor to candidates, helping them navigate their careers. On the other, you’re a partner to businesses, ensuring they find the talent they need to thrive. This dual focus means your role is always evolving.

Celebrating Wins

From placing a candidate in their dream role to helping a client achieve their hiring goals, recruitment has tangible rewards. These moments of success make the effort worth it and motivate you to tackle the next challenge.

Why It Works for the Right People

If you enjoy problem-solving, working with people, and thrive in a fast-moving environment, recruitment might be the career for you. It’s challenging, but the variety and unpredictability make it a job where you’ll never feel stuck in a routine.

Ready for a career where no two days are the same? Explore opportunities to join our team, here.

Finding the right role in competitive industries like construction, rail, and water can feel overwhelming. A recruitment consultancy, especially those specialising in technical sectors, offer tailored support to help you secure the right position. Here’s how working with a specialist consultancy like Advance TRS can benefit your career search.

1. Access to Exclusive Job Opportunities

Many companies rely on recruitment consultancies to fill roles that aren’t advertised publicly. This means consultancies like Advance TRS can connect you with positions you won’t find on job boards or through general searches. These exclusive roles are often with leading employers, giving you the chance to apply for projects and positions that directly match your skills and experience.

Advance TRS Mark 300 Placements with Alstom UK – Advance TRS

2. Expert Guidance and Industry Knowledge

Specialist consultancies understand the industries they recruit for inside out. Advance TRS focuses on sectors such as rail, infrastructure, and energy, so we know what employers are looking for, from certifications to soft skills. This expertise ensures you’re matched with roles suited to your capabilities, while also giving you valuable insights into market trends, expected salaries, and in-demand skills.

Sectors Advance TRS | Recruitment consultancy for the Built Environment

3. Support Throughout the Recruitment Process

Working with a consultancy means you’re not navigating the recruitment process alone. From helping you create a standout CV to offering interview preparation tailored to the employer, a recruitment consultancy provides personalised support. They also assist in negotiating job offers, ensuring you secure the best possible terms. This hands-on guidance can boost your confidence and make the entire process less stressful.

Candidates can expect exceptional recruitment service from Advance TRS

4. Time-Saving Job Search Solutions

Searching for jobs, tailoring applications, and keeping track of deadlines can be time-consuming. Recruitment consultancies streamline this process by actively searching for roles on your behalf and managing applications. This leaves you free to focus on preparation or personal commitments, knowing that someone is working behind the scenes to find the right opportunities for you.

5. A Partner for Long-Term Career Growth

The relationship with a recruitment consultancy doesn’t have to end after you land a job. Consultancies like Advance TRS aim to build long-term connections with candidates, offering advice on career progression and letting you know about future opportunities that match your ambitions. This ongoing partnership can help you stay informed about the industry and develop your career over time.

Why Choose Advance TRS?

Advance TRS has a proven track record in connecting skilled professionals with leading built environment companies and projects. Our team works closely with candidates to provide a professional, consultative, and personable service. From CV advice to post-placement support, we’re committed to helping you achieve your career goals.

Ready to take the next step? Explore our latest opportunities, here.

If you’re thinking about a career in recruitment, it’s easy to assume the job is all about finding people to fill roles. In reality, recruitment is much more dynamic and rewarding. It’s about building relationships, shaping careers, and influencing industries. Here’s why recruitment is a strategic, consultative career that’s far more than just filling vacancies.

Building Partnerships with Clients

As a recruiter, you’ll work closely with businesses to help them build teams that align with their goals. It’s not just about placing people—it’s about understanding what the company needs to thrive.

  • Advising on hiring strategies: You’ll guide clients on the skills, salaries, and structures needed to stay competitive.
  • Shaping roles: Many clients rely on recruiters to refine job descriptions to attract the best talent.
  • Planning ahead: Recruitment involves anticipating what businesses will need in the future and helping them prepare.

How We Build Strong Relationships With Our Clients

Supporting Candidates in Their Careers

Recruitment isn’t just about ticking boxes for job requirements. It’s about helping people take the next step in their careers. You’ll act as a career coach, guiding candidates toward opportunities they might not have considered.

  • Identifying potential: You’ll help candidates see how their skills apply to new roles or industries.
  • Advising on development: Suggesting courses, certifications, or experiences can help candidates become stronger applicants.
  • Providing feedback: Constructive feedback from you can help candidates improve and succeed, even if they don’t get the role they applied for.

Influencing Industry Trends

Recruitment keeps you at the centre of industry trends. You’ll gain insights into what businesses need and where the market is heading. This knowledge allows you to shape how industries evolve.

  • Help businesses adapt to new technologies or changing regulations.
  • Promote diversity and inclusion by championing underrepresented talent.
  • Guide clients and candidates through economic or market shifts.

5 Ways to Stay in the Loop with Industry Trends  – Advance TRS

Why Recruitment Is a Strategic Career

Recruitment is about connecting the right people with the right opportunities, but it’s also about making an impact. You’ll help businesses succeed, support candidates in reaching their goals, and contribute to shaping industries.

If you’re ready for a career that’s challenging, rewarding, and impactful, recruitment could be the perfect fit for you – check out our work for us page to find out about our current opportunities, here.

In the built environment, contract roles are common, especially in industries like rail, construction, and infrastructure. These positions are often tied to short-term projects but offer far more. For candidates looking to advance their careers, contract roles provide opportunities to gain experience, expand networks, and even transition into permanent roles.

Build Diverse Experience

Contract roles expose you to a wide variety of projects, teams, and challenges. This allows you to:

  • Gain specialised knowledge: Working on focused, high-impact projects sharpens your technical skills.
  • Broaden your expertise: Moving between roles can give you experience across disciplines, such as design, project management, or geotechnical engineering.
  • Develop adaptability: Being part of different organisations teaches you to navigate various work environments and systems.

Over time, this variety builds a strong CV that highlights your versatility and practical skills, making you a more attractive candidate for future roles.

Expand Your Professional Network

Each contract role introduces you to new colleagues, managers, and industry leaders. Building strong relationships with these professionals can help you:

  • Access unadvertised roles: Many jobs in the built environment are filled through recommendations.
  • Gain mentors: Experienced professionals can offer guidance and support as your career develops.
  • Create future opportunities: Impressing key stakeholders during a contract can lead to repeat engagements or offers of permanent roles.

Treat every contract as an opportunity to grow your reputation. Being reliable, professional, and skilled leaves a lasting impression.

Leveraging Online Platforms for Digital Networking – Advance TRS

Transition into Permanent Roles

Many candidates use contract positions as a stepping stone to secure permanent roles. Employers often recruit contractors for short-term needs but look to retain top performers for the long term. To improve your chances of making this transition:

  • Communicate your interest: Let your manager know you’re open to permanent opportunities.
  • Go beyond the role: Show initiative by contributing ideas or taking on additional responsibilities.
  • Demonstrate alignment: Highlight how your values and long-term goals align with the organisation’s mission.

Even if a permanent role isn’t immediately available, leaving on good terms keeps the door open for future opportunities.

Contractor vs. Permanent Roles in the Built Environment

Stay Strategic

To maximise the career benefits of contracting, stay strategic about the roles you accept. Look for positions that:

  • Enhance your skill set in line with your long-term goals.
  • Offer exposure to high-profile projects or reputable organisations.
  • Provide networking opportunities with influential professionals in your field.

Balance short-term flexibility with long-term planning to ensure each contract builds towards your career ambitions.

Contract positions are more than temporary work. They’re a platform to build skills, expand networks, and create opportunities for long-term growth.

If you’re looking for your next contract role in the built environment, we can connect you with projects that align with your goals – take a look at our jobs available, here.

Recruitment isn’t always straightforward. Beyond finding the right skills for the job, recruiters face unique challenges that can complicate even the best-laid plans. At Advance TRS, we’ve developed ways to handle these issues efficiently, ensuring our clients and candidates both get the best possible experience – looking at 5 unexpected challenges in recruitment.

1. Managing Candidate Expectations

Candidates often come with set ideas about salary, benefits, or role progression. Balancing these expectations with market realities can be a challenge.

  • Our Approach: We start with honest, transparent conversations about salary ranges, role requirements, and growth potential. By setting realistic expectations from the start, we help candidates see the full picture and reduce the chance of surprises later in the process.

2. Balancing Client Needs with Candidate Fit

Clients often want very specific skills or experience, but matching these exact needs with candidate availability isn’t always possible.

  • Our Approach: We focus on understanding the core requirements and identifying transferrable skills that could also benefit the client. By presenting flexible options and explaining how candidates’ experiences can align with the client’s goals, we maintain a strong balance between exact needs and realistic matches.

Understanding Client Needs: How Sales Professionals Deliver Value in Recruitment – Advance TRS

3. Handling Counter Offers

In a competitive market, good candidates often receive counteroffers from their current employers when they announce plans to leave.

  • Our Approach: We prepare candidates for this possibility by discussing it early on, helping them weigh the pros and cons. If a counteroffer does come in, we guide them to consider their long-term goals, making the decision that’s genuinely best for them—not just the highest offer on the table.

How to Deal with a Counter Offer – Advance TRS

4. Navigating Rapid Market Changes

The built environment can experience rapid changes in demand due to new regulations or project funding shifts.

  • Our Approach: We stay informed on industry trends and client pipeline needs, which allows us to anticipate shifts and adjust our recruiting approach. Our agility ensures we have a proactive plan, keeping placements steady even in a fluctuating market.

5 Ways to Stay in the Loop with Industry Trends  – Advance TRS

5. Managing Post-Placement Support

The work doesn’t end after a candidate is placed; support during onboarding and early stages is just as important for a successful placement.

  • Our Approach: We keep communication open with both clients and candidate’s post-placement. By checking in regularly, we ensure everything is on track, address any early concerns, and maintain long-term relationships that make future placements even smoother.

Recruitment is full of unexpected challenges, but at Advance TRS, we thrive on tackling them head-on. By staying proactive, transparent, and flexible, we ensure that both our clients and candidates have the best experience possible. Our ability to manage expectations, balance competing needs, and provide ongoing support makes us a reliable partner in the recruitment process. No matter the challenge, we’re here to find the right solution and deliver the results you need.

Culture & Core Values: What Sets Advance TRS Apart – Advance TRS

If you think you’re up for these recruitment hurdles, check out our Work for Us page to see current opportunities!

Compliance isn’t just a checkbox for us at Advance TRS—it’s the foundation of every candidate placement, especially in high-regulation fields like rail and construction. By prioritising rigorous background checks, certifications, and continuous training, we ensure that every professional we place meets industry and safety standards, helping our clients stay compliant and reducing risk across all project sites.

Responsibility at Advance TRS Specialist Recruiters

Our Compliance Process

We place skilled professionals in heavily regulated sectors, where non-compliance can have serious consequences. Here’s how we keep compliance at the forefront of our recruitment process:

1. Background Checks

  • Comprehensive Vetting: Each candidate goes through thorough background checks that cover employment history, criminal records, and other regulatory requirements specific to the role and industry.
  • Verification: We verify key qualifications and experiences, ensuring that each candidate holds the credentials and practical expertise needed for their role. This helps eliminate unqualified candidates and maintains high standards across client projects.

2. Certifications and Qualifications

  • Regulatory Compliance: In sectors like rail and construction, certifications are critical. We check each candidate’s credentials, ensuring they meet the current standards set by regulatory bodies such as the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) and Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
  • Up-to-Date Documentation: We keep track of certification expiration dates and support candidates in renewing any necessary qualifications to stay compliant. This proactive approach allows us to supply professionals who are fully qualified for every project phase.

Advance TRS certifications and awards for the best service possible

3. Ongoing Training and Development

  • Safety and Industry Training: As regulatory standards evolve, so do our training requirements. We coordinate with candidates to help them access necessary courses, keeping their skills relevant and aligned with industry demands.
  • Client-Specific Standards: Some clients have unique compliance needs. For these, we provide additional training options to make sure candidates are ready to meet specific standards on-site.

4. Continuous Improvement and Monitoring

  • Regular Audits: Our compliance team regularly reviews our processes, ensuring we maintain best practices and adapt to changes in industry standards.
  • Feedback Loops: We welcome input from clients and candidates on compliance matters, using this feedback to fine-tune our approach and keep our practices effective and up to date.

Why Compliance Matters

In high-stakes industries like rail and construction, where safety and quality are paramount, compliance isn’t just about meeting requirements—it’s essential for maintaining safety, reliability, and trust. By committing to these rigorous compliance practices, Advance TRS helps create safe, compliant work environments that benefit everyone involved.

Good Governance at Advance TRS: Ensuring High Standards

Creating a CV that gets noticed by employers requires clarity, structure, and relevance. Hiring managers sift through numerous CVs, so yours needs to make a strong impression from the start. Here’s what they’re looking for and how to make your CV stand out:

1. Structure it clearly

Start with your contact information at the top: name, phone number, email, and LinkedIn profile. Next, include a personal summary—a brief overview of your key skills, experience, and goals. Keep this to a few sentences that convey your strengths effectively.

  • Skills: List your top skills in a dedicated section. Focus on skills that align with the job description, making it easy for recruiters to see what you bring to the table.
  • Experience: Start with your latest role and work backward. Rather than listing tasks, highlight your contributions and results. For instance, instead of “Managed a team,” try “Managed a team of five, increasing project efficiency by 25%.”

2. Tailor it for each role

A generic CV doesn’t capture the unique needs of each position. Review the job description and pull-out keywords, especially specific skills, tools, or certifications that match your experience. This helps ensure your CV aligns with the role and improves its chances with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS), which scan CVs for relevant terms.

3. Stick to a professional, simple design

Choose a clear layout with consistent formatting and enough white space. Use an easy-to-read font like Arial or Calibri, size 10-12, and avoid distracting colours or graphics. This keeps the focus on your experience and makes it easy for recruiters to navigate.

4. Focus on achievements, not just duties

Employers want to see what you’ve accomplished in each role. Use specific numbers and results where you can. Example:

  • Instead of: “Managed construction site activities.”
  • Try: “Coordinated daily site operations for a £10 million infrastructure project, improving project timelines by 10% and reducing downtime by 15%.”

5. Include action verbs and relevant keywords

Start bullet points with action verbs like “Led,” “Developed,” or “Achieved.” These words show initiative and clearly communicate your contributions. Incorporate keywords naturally to match the role description but avoid overloading your CV with terms—make sure each word adds value.

6. Avoid common pitfalls

  • Typos and Grammar Errors: Proofread carefully or ask someone else to review.
  • Clichés: Terms like “hard worker” or “excellent communicator” are overused. Show these traits instead through examples.
  • Length: Keep your CV focused, ideally within one or two pages. Emphasise recent and relevant experience.

Top 5 Pitfalls to Avoid When Applying for Built Environment Jobs  – Advance TRS

Creating a standout CV in the built environment sector means focusing on structure, relevant skills, and clear achievements. Tailor each application to the role, use metrics to highlight your impact, and keep formatting clean and professional. By showing to hiring managers not just what you did, but how you contributed, you’ll improve your chances of securing an interview.

Need an up-to-date CV? Read our CV writing tips! – Advance TRS

For more career tips or to explore opportunities with Advance TRS, check out our latest jobs, here.

The infrastructure sector, whilst experiencing a surge in demand due to ongoing and upcoming projects, is also experiencing an increasingly prevalent situation of skills shortages – posing significant challenges for companies hoping to deliver projects on time and within budget.  

As industries like rail, construction, and energy expand, the demand for skilled professionals continues to outweigh supply, making it essential for businesses to partner with recruitment specialists who understand these unique challenges. At Advance TRS, we leverage our expertise and extensive network to help clients source the right talent in this tight market. 

Understanding the Challenge of Skills Shortages 

With the projects there and ready to be manned, the growth is hampered by a critical shortage of skilled professionals across various disciplines, including engineering, project management, and technical roles. The challenge is particularly acute in specialised fields such as signalling and telecommunications, civil engineering, and construction management, where qualified candidates are becoming increasingly difficult to find. 

Many companies are facing the realities of an aging workforce, coupled with a lack of new entrants into the industry. This creates a perfect storm, resulting in heightened competition for talent and delays in project delivery. To map out these turbulent waters, organisations need a recruitment partner that not only understands the nuances of the infrastructure landscape but also has the capability to tap into a broad talent pool. 

How Advance TRS Stands Out 

At Advance TRS, our deep industry knowledge and extensive professional network allows us to effectively bridge the gap between talent supply and demand. We take a consultative approach to recruitment, understanding each client’s specific needs and challenges, and tailoring our strategies accordingly. 

Leveraging Industry Expertise 

Our team consists of professionals with extensive experience in the built environment and infrastructure sectors – enabling us to identify candidates with the right skills and experience quickly. We focus not just on qualifications but also on cultural fit, ensuring that the talent we source aligns with our clients’ values and work environments. 

Sourcing Hard-to-Find Talent 

In recent projects, we have successfully sourced candidates for roles that are hard to fill, demonstrating our ability to navigate the skills shortage effectively. For instance, when a client in the rail sector needed a signalling design engineer, we leveraged our specialised network to identify a top candidate who had previously worked on major infrastructure projects. This individual possessed not only the technical skills required but also the experience necessary to integrate seamlessly into the client’s team. 

By approaching recruitment with a proactive mindset, we can often uncover talent that isn’t actively seeking new opportunities but is open to engaging in conversations about their next career move. 

Building a Sustainable Talent Pipeline 

Advance TRS is committed to not just filling immediate vacancies but also building sustainable talent pipelines for our clients. We work closely with educational institutions and industry bodies to promote careers in the built environment, aiming to attract new entrants into the workforce. Our initiatives include partnerships with universities and training programs, where we help nurture the next generation of skilled professionals. 

Our candidate engagement strategies ensure that we maintain strong relationships with potential candidates, keeping them up to date with industry trends and opportunities.  

As skills shortages continue to challenge the infrastructure sectors, Advance TRS remains dedicated to sourcing the right talent in a tight market. By combining our industry expertise with an extensive network and proactive recruitment strategies, we empower our clients to overcome these obstacles and achieve their project goals.

Partner with us to navigate the complexities of talent acquisition in today’s demanding environment and secure the skilled professionals you need to thrive, here!

With the likes of ChatGPT and other AI tools changing and reshaping the ways industries work – the recruitment industry hasn’t been left behind. Many are finding that these tools are streamlining processes, matching candidates to jobs faster, and providing valuable insights for hiring decisions without even opening a CV. However, at Advance TRS, we believe that while these advancements enhance efficiency, they should never replace the personal touch that defines effective recruitment. Relationships remain at the heart of our approach, and it’s this commitment to human connection that sets us apart. 

Why Relationships Matter in Recruitment 

In our experience, successful recruitment is built on trust, understanding, and genuine connections with people. Each candidate we work with has unique skills, experiences, and career aspirations, while each client brings a distinct vision, culture, and set of needs. This understanding drives us to look beyond just the technical requirements of a role or a candidate’s CV. By engaging with candidates and clients personally, we’re able to understand not only what they need but also what motivates them, creating a more accurate and meaningful fit. 

How We Build Strong Relationships With Our Clients

The Value of Human Connection in a world of AI 

As more tools appear and technology continues to advance, many recruitment tasks have become more automated, from applicant tracking systems to AI-driven candidate matching. These tools undoubtedly support the efficiency of recruitment processes, but they can lack the nuance that human relationships provide. For us, we see automation as a way to enhance our capabilities—not replace the personal interactions that are key to long-term success. 

By maintaining a people-first approach, our consultants can offer a supportive and responsive recruitment experience that technology alone cannot achieve. We focus on active listening and open communication, building relationships that last beyond a single placement. This dedication to personal engagement allows us to not only meet immediate needs but also support clients and candidates as their goals and circumstances evolve. 

Why We Prioritise the Personal Touch 

For our team, recruitment is not simply about filling a vacancy; it’s about fostering a mutually beneficial relationship. By investing in each connection, we offer a consultative service that helps candidates and clients alike navigate the complexities of today’s job market. When candidates join our network, they know they’re not just numbers in a database; they are valued individuals whose aspirations and concerns matter to us. The same goes for our clients, who appreciate the consultative support we offer as they grow their teams with skilled professionals who are committed to their vision. 

How Relationships Impact Quality of Service 

Our consultative approach enables us to better support our clients and candidates, ensuring we place the right people in the right roles every time. Through building these relationships, we have seen candidates return to us when they are ready to make their next career move, and clients repeatedly trust us with their hiring needs. This strong network underscores the reputation of Advance TRS as a recruitment consultancy that delivers an honest, quality service and a personal commitment to every relationship we form. 

Building Connections for the Future 

As recruitment continues to evolve, the personal touch remains an essential aspect of our work. We are committed to maintaining and growing our network through genuine relationships, helping us better serve both candidates and clients. Human connection is something tech can enhance, but never replace, and it’s what continues to make recruitment meaningful to us and valuable to those we serve. 

Ready for a recruitment experience where relationships come first? See how Advance TRS can help you achieve your career or hiring goals today, here. 

In a fast-evolving industry such as engineering – many professionals worry that a career gap might hinder any potential jobs. However, taking time away from work is becoming increasingly common and can offer new skills and perspectives. Whether your gap was due to family responsibilities, personal health, or a chance to pursue other interests- we’re here to help you effectively address your time away and set yourself up for success in your return to the industry! Here are some strategies to help you explain your career gap and improve your employability as you re-enter the workforce. 

Be Transparent and Confident When Explaining Gaps 

When discussing a career gap, honesty is crucial. Employers always appreciate transparency, and you don’t need to go into every detail. Instead, focus on briefly explaining the reason for your break and then emphasise your eagerness to rejoin the engineering field. 

For example, you could say something on the lines of: “I took a year off to focus on personal development and I’m now motivated and ready to bring my renewed focus and skills back to engineering.”  

This approach shows that you acknowledge the gap positively but shifts the conversation to what you’re currently looking forward to in your career. 

Transferable Skills 

Even if you weren’t working in an engineering role during your time off, there are often valuable skills you can bring from other experiences. Think about whether you engaged in any project work, freelance tasks, or had any community involvement that developed skills relevant to engineering roles, such as project management, leadership, or problem-solving. 

Highlighting these transferable skills on your CV and in interviews can make a big difference. For example, if you worked on personal projects, managed a home renovation, or led a community initiative – emphasise the ways in which those responsibilities have prepared you for this next role. 

Top 5 In-Demand Engineering Skills 2025 

Upskill or Reskill with Certifications 

Staying up to date on the latest industry practices can show potential employers your commitment to advancing in your field. There are many certifications and training options available that can help bridge any skills gap from your time away. Consider popular courses and certifications available to you online or in person, doing any health and safety certifications, or software courses related to industry-standard tools. 

Taking these courses not only updates your technical knowledge but also demonstrates your adaptability—a valuable trait in any engineering role. 

Networking  

Re-establishing connections in the industry is essential for returning after a gap. Reach out to former colleagues, mentors, or contacts in the field, and attend industry events or conferences. Online platforms like LinkedIn and engineering-specific forums can be useful for expanding your professional network as well. 

Attending these kinds of events or participating in online discussions keeps you informed about industry developments, helping you to feel more prepared as you look for new opportunities. 

Leveraging Online Platforms for Digital Networking – Advance TRS 

Consider Contract or Project-Based Work 

A contract or project-based role can be a good way to ease back into the workforce. These roles often provide the flexibility to start rebuilding your skills and confidence in a structured environment while allowing you to decide if you’re ready for a permanent position later on. 

As a specialist recruitment consultancy in the built environment, Advance TRS has access to a variety of project roles that are perfect for those looking to rebuild momentum in their careers. Contracting can be a great way to demonstrate your expertise, adapt to new industry standards, and work on high-impact projects. 

Contractor vs. Permanent Roles in the Built Environment 

Contract Roles at Advance TRS 

Ready to Get Back on Track? 

Navigating a career gap may seem challenging, but with a few proactive strategies, you can position yourself as a confident, capable and candidate ready to take on the next opportunity. If you’re looking for support in your return to engineering, our team at Advance TRS is here to help. We understand the unique challenges of a career gap and are dedicated to matching skilled engineers with roles that suit their experience and aspirations. 

Experienced in engineering and ready to rejoin the workforce? Explore our current roles, here! 

At Advance TRS, we pride ourselves on being more than just a recruitment service. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our role as a consultative partner for our clients, ensuring that we deliver tailored, high-quality recruitment solutions while building strong, long lasting relationships. Here’s how our consultative approach sets us apart and allows us to provide an exceptional experience to our clients. 

A Client-Centric Approach 

Our consultative approach begins with truly understanding our clients’ needs. We don’t just aim to fill vacancies—we partner with each organisation to grasp the unique requirements, challenges, and goals of their business. By getting to know our clients at a deeper level, we can offer tailored solutions that ensure a perfect match between the roles and the professionals we recommend. 

Through ongoing conversations and close collaboration, we become an extension of our clients’ teams, offering strategic insights and advice to help shape their recruitment strategy. This enables us to anticipate their needs, adapt to market trends, and deliver value that goes beyond the hiring process. 

High Quality Service Every Step of the Way 

At Advance TRS, we understand that quality matters. From the moment we engage with a client, our focus is on delivering exceptional service throughout the entire recruitment journey. We adhere to rigorous standards of quality, ensuring that every candidate we put forward meets not only the technical qualifications but also aligns with the company culture and long-term objectives. 

This dedication to quality ensures that we’re placing candidates who are not just the right fit for the role but also for the organisation. Our commitment to providing high quality service builds trust with our clients and strengthens our relationship with them over time. 

Culture & Core Values: What Sets Advance TRS Apart – Advance TRS 

Building Long Lasting Relationships 

For Advance TRS, success is measured by the relationships we build. We value long-term partnerships with our clients, seeing ourselves as more than just a recruitment service provider. By maintaining open communication and delivering consistent results, we ensure that our relationships with clients grow stronger over time. 

Our consultative partnership model allows us to remain engaged with clients even after placements are made. We follow up to ensure that both the candidate and the employer are thriving, providing ongoing support and adjusting if necessary. This proactive approach builds confidence in our services and allows us to retain lasting, trusted relationships with our clients. 

Experience the Difference of a Consultative Partner 

Advance TRS isn’t just about providing recruitment solutions—it’s about partnering with you to drive long-term success. As a consultative partner, we work closely with our clients to understand their needs and goals, ensuring a seamless and collaborative recruitment process. Our client-centric approach, high-quality service, and commitment to building lasting relationships set us apart. 

Experience the difference of a consultative partner – find out more about the services we offer, here. 

Returning for the 4th year in a row, raising £30,000 – on Thursday 3rd October – we partnered directly with Railway Children for the annual Advance TRS Golf Day at Celtic Manor in Wales. 

With an 11 am shotgun start, the golfers throughout the day, took part in a series of competitions with entry fees that went directly to Railway Children – including Nearest the Pin, Longest Drive and Beat the Pro.  

The Course 

Roman Road course – a 70-par challenge that overlooks the Severn Estuary with views across to Somerset and Devon. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Senior, this challenging course features some long open fairways but also a number of twists and turns through trees and across streams. 

The Evening – Speakers

In the evening, we were delighted to have two guest speakers join us and share their insights and stories on their past successes.

Mark Wild OBE – CEO of HS2 

Mark Wild CEO HS2

Mark Wild has more than 35 years of experience leading complex and critical infrastructure. He assumed the CEO leadership role at Crossrail in 2018, Europe’s largest construction project and a £20 billion programme delivering one of the world’s most advanced digital passenger railways. Mark joined the team for golf and kindly spoke after dinner, answering questions from business leaders across the rail sector. 

Mark Wild | LinkedIn 

Ronnie Irani 

Ronnie Irani Retired English cricketer

Ronnie Irani is a retired English cricketer who garnered much praise for his impact in One Day Internationals from the mid-90’s to the early 2000’s. Ronnie joined the team for a couple of days of golf and brought his dynamic energy to the event.  

Ronnie Irani | LinkedIn

Launching AMC 

This year we took the opportunity to introduce our new brand, Advance TRS Management Consultancy, to the attendees. Advance TRS Management Consultancy is a bespoke service that builds upon our legacy of excellence in recruitment to offer unparalleled expertise in Project/Programme Management, Commercial, and Contract Management within the built environment, with a particular focus on transport and aviation infrastructure. 

Advance TRS Management Consultancy

Thank You 

We would like to thank our sponsors who have made this feat possible not only this year but for the last 4 years and to AECOM, AtkinsRéalis, Balfour Beatty, Bam Nuttall, Clipfine, GHD, Gleeds, Mace, Dragados, Turner & Townsend and Vinci Construction for the support this year. 

Railway Children 

Railway Children has been fighting for children alone and at risk on the street for over 25 years. During this time, they have reached more than 275,000 children in India, the UK, and East Africa. 

Children run away or are forced to leave home, where they suffer poverty, violence, and neglect. They find themselves living on the streets because there is nowhere else to, and no one left to turn to. The problems they face on the streets are often even worse than those they endured at home. Every day they fight to change their story. 
 
Rail Aid is a major fundraising initiative in support of Railway Children, the Rail industry’s charity. It was launched in direct response to the Covid-19 outbreak, which has made our work with vulnerable young people even more vital. 

Advance TRS founder, Andy Ridout and a few other members of our team have completed numerous challenges such as climbing Mt Everest and Kilimanjaro, Ride Vietnam Challenge, Three Peaks By Rail 2023. These are just some of the amazing challenges we have done to raise funds for Railway Children. 

Supporting charities is a core element of life at Advance TRS, Since its establishment, our staff has raised over £100,000 for charities including Railway Children and Action for Children. Taking on personal challenges and fundraising activities to advance others has been a core founding principle and staff are encouraged to support charitable causes. 

Advance TRS Charity Events Recap 2023

Making a Difference in the Community: Our Local Impact and Initiatives

Railway Children

Join Us

Advance TRS are always looking for more people to join the team, Find out more about our latest vacancies. 

At Advance TRS, we believe that success isn’t just about delivering exceptional recruitment services—it’s about making a lasting, positive impact on the communities we serve. As a rapidly growing recruitment consultancy, we are committed to giving back through various charitable and community-focused initiatives. Whether it’s volunteering our time, raising funds for important causes, or sponsoring local events, we’re passionate about making a difference. 

Volunteering: Giving Time to Make a Difference 

We believe that everyone has the power to contribute to their community, and we actively encourage our team to get involved through volunteering. From participating in charity events to supporting local causes, our employees are dedicated to making a difference beyond the workplace. Volunteering provides our team with an opportunity to give back while building strong connections with their colleagues and the local community. 

Charity Fundraising: Raising Funds for Causes That Matter 

Our commitment to charity is one of the core values that define Advance TRS. Over the years, we have proudly raised over £100,000 for various charities, including Railway Children, Water Aid, and Macmillan Cancer Support. We’ve taken part in an array of fundraising challenges, from Tough Mudder’s and fire walks to mountain climbs and marathons. These events not only help raise vital funds for important causes but also foster a sense of camaraderie and team spirit within our business. 

Whether we’re riding 100 miles for charity or doing a sponsored walk, we are always looking for new and exciting ways to support the charities we care about. And our ambition doesn’t stop here—we’re eager to continue growing our charitable efforts and raise even more in the years to come. 

Advance TRS Take on the WaterAid Dragon Boat Race

Local Sponsorships: Supporting Our Community 

We’re also passionate about supporting local organisations and events through sponsorships. By partnering with local businesses, schools, and sports teams, we aim to foster long-term relationships that benefit our community. Our sponsorship efforts provide essential funding for local projects and create opportunities for young people and community groups to grow and thrive. 

Recap of Advance TRS 2023 Charity Events

Training Opportunities: Building Skills in the Community 

At Advance TRS, we’re not only focused on recruitment but also on nurturing talent and offering training opportunities to help individuals in our community develop valuable skills. We offer work experience placements, training programmes, and opportunities for young professionals to gain insight into the recruitment industry. By investing in people, we aim to create a lasting positive impact that helps build stronger, more resilient communities. 

Training & Development: Empowering you to grow at Advance TRS

Help Us Make a Difference 

At Advance TRS, we’re proud of the impact we’ve made in our local communities, and we’re always looking for new ways to expand our reach. Whether through volunteering, charity fundraising, local sponsorships, or providing training opportunities, we’re dedicated to making a real difference. 

Want to be part of a team that makes a difference? Explore careers at Advance TRS.

Are you an experienced recruiter looking for the next challenge in your career? At Advance TRS, we provide a unique opportunity to elevate your career with your experienced recruitment expertise by offering access to major projects, working alongside a high-performing team, and leadership roles within a company known for its integrity and quality. 

Why Choose Advance TRS? 

As a leading specialist recruitment consultancy in the built environment, Advance TRS supports ambitious recruiters in taking their careers to the next level. Here’s why seasoned professionals should consider joining our team: 

1. Higher Earning Potential 

Advance TRS values the experience and skills that you bring to the table. With competitive packages and an uncapped commission structure, your hard work is directly reflected in your earning potential. We understand the importance of rewarding top performers and ensuring you are well compensated for your contributions. 

Work For Us 

2. Access to Big Projects 

Our team works on some of the largest and most exciting infrastructure projects across the UK and Ireland. With clients in sectors such as construction, rail, highways, water, and energy, recruiters at Advance TRS can work on high-profile placements that shape the future of key projects in the built environment. This exposure enables you to grow your expertise while connecting with some of the industry’s most influential organisations. 

Our Sectors 

3. Career Progression 

We believe in empowering our staff to achieve their full potential. At Advance TRS, we offer clear pathways for career progression, whether you’re looking to step into a leadership role or deepen your expertise in a specialised recruitment sector. You’ll be part of a company that is committed to continuous growth and development, giving you every opportunity to take on greater responsibility and achieve your career goals. 

Meet Jake Rodger, leading our Rail Signalling and Digital Rail Division 

4. High-Performing Teams 

Collaboration is at the heart of what we do. Our team of recruitment consultants is built around strong core values such as commitment, integrity, and collaboration. Working in top-performing teams means you’ll have the support and resources needed to succeed, surrounded by like-minded professionals who are just as passionate about delivering excellence. 

Our Culture and Core Values: Joining a Values-Driven team at Advance TRS 

5. Leadership Opportunities 

For experienced recruiters ready to step into management, Advance TRS offers leadership opportunities where you can drive the success of your own team. Whether you’re building a niche sector or mentoring consultants that are just starting out, you’ll have the autonomy and support to make a lasting impact. 

Meet the Team 

Advance Your Recruitment Career Today 

If you’re an experienced recruiter ready for more responsibility, higher earning potential, and the chance to work on big projects, Advance TRS is the place for you. Our focus on career progression and high-performance culture means there’s no limit to what you can achieve! 

Experienced in recruitment? See how Advance TRS the roles we have available, here. 

Advance TRS and Alstom are delighted to announce a huge milestone achieved in our recruitment partnership as our 300th permanent starter joins the business this week, following 3 years of tremendous growth across the business!

Advance TRS are the recruitment partner for Alstom UK & Ireland’s rail recruitment programme, sourcing rail signalling management, engineering, and installation professionals. The Advance TRS and Alstom UK & Ireland partnership has placed over 300 new professionals in permanent roles across the business.

Working in a truly collaborative manner has been a vital factor in the success to date which has seen both businesses work tirelessly to attract and engage with some of the brightest and most committed individuals across the country. Whilst in the company, the opportunities have not stopped with new starters building development career paths, taking on additional responsibilities, and achieving promotions as the benefits of working for a leading global engineering firm become a reality.

Having taken a proactive approach to appoint a diverse workforce, we have seen numerous key roles being filled by candidates outside of the sector, with management driving a recruitment focus on individual skills & behaviours rather than time spent in the railways. This has led to fresh ideas, new approaches, and opportunities for people to join and excel in the industry.

But the hard work doesn’t stop here! Thanks to an enviable work bank and constantly expanding product offering, Alstom is growing further and can offer outstanding opportunities across engineering, operations, and management as we gear up for the years ahead.

Find out more about the Advance TRS recruitment partnership with Alstom.

ALSTOM IN IRELAND

Advance TRS & Alstom are recruiting Commercial, Planning, Engineering, Management, Health & Safety professionals for the Cork Area Commuter Rail (CACR) upgrade, a transformative rail improvement programme for the Cork Rail Network.

The Cork Area Commuter Rail programme is the heavy rail element of CMATS and is a transformative rail improvement programme for the Cork Rail Network. Delivering increased train capacity and frequency, providing for more connected communities and a more sustainable transport network, the project represents the largest-ever investment in the Cork Rail Network.

The programme involves developments and enhancements to the rail network from Mallow through Cork to Cobh and Midleton and will include the delivery of new rail infrastructure and electrification and re-signalling across the 3 main lines of Mallow, Cobh and Glounthaune to Midleton.

The Cork Area Commuter Rail Programme is being progressed through a number of separate but interrelated projects which will be delivered in specific work packages.

This is a fantastic opportunity to work on the Signalling and Communications Upgrade to facilitate the proposed capacity and service frequency increases across the Cork Area Commuter Rail network. The preliminary design of the project is well-advanced, and the implementation stage is starting now.

View the latest Alstom jobs in Ireland.

BUILDING A DIVERSE WORKFORCE WITH ALSTOM

A key focus for Alstom is to build a diverse and entrepreneurial workforce with inclusivity at its core. Alstom knows that employee empowerment is crucial to its success and continues to strengthen its culture by promoting diversity and entrepreneurial spirit with a fundamental commitment to integrity and high ethical business standards and practices.

This key commitment has been embraced and mirrored by Advance TRS, working together to establish a non-discriminative recruitment process to ensure a diverse candidate pool is available, and promoting opportunities for under-represented communities. At Advance TRS, we believe everyone deserves the same opportunities, and that the diversity of the workforce is an essential part of success. We are committed to supporting clients to build work environments that are free from discrimination and promote equal opportunities for all.

View the latest Alstom Jobs.

QUALITY CANDIDATE CARE

At Advance TRS providing a premium quality service to candidates and clients alike is a core founding principle and forms the backbone of how we approach our work.

We pride ourselves on our exceptional level of customer service and seek to create long-lasting and dependable relationships. Advance TRS support candidates throughout the entire process from initial contact and interview, through to remuneration negotiations and onboarding.

ALSTOM PRIORITIZING CAREER DEVELOPMENT

Professional development is part of Alstom’s recruitment strategy, with the organisation firmly believing that employee motivation and performance are intrinsically linked and that the nurturing of employee potential and competencies are key to ensuring the ongoing success of the international brand.

All employees are offered development opportunities via the ‘People Management Cycle’, which helps line managers and HR to design a bespoke training plan for each employee. This offers high-quality learning and development opportunities and supports employees through professional mentoring or coaching.

For those hesitant to take the next step in their career and explore opportunities, such a solid investment into personal development has proven to temper nerves and ease the transition when joining the business.

“My favourite part of my role is enhancing and developing new skills and expertise in the development of people. I have fully embraced Alstom’s People Management Cycle and encourage the development of my team members.”

Lead Commercial Manager, Alstom.

“Alstom has committed to training the right candidates to be the perfect fit for the business. They understand that not everyone will be the finished article straight away, but their development opportunities are really encouraging and quick to materialise.”

Principal Project Engineer, Alstom.

Find out more about life at Alstom.

FIND YOUR IDEAL ROLE

Across the UK, Alstom is winning new projects and securing exciting packages of work, opening up huge opportunities for professionals across the UK.

Are you looking for your next role and does Alstom sound like the right fit for you? View our live jobs or speak to one of our Alstom delivery teams today.

Advance TRS are delighted to welcome experienced rail industry recruiter, Chris Spurdle to join the business as Business Development Manager – Rail. Chris has over 14 years experience in the rail industry predominantly working in the rail civils and permanent way specialism and joins Advance TRS to focus on white collar recruitment in rail civils and permanent way.

Chris is looking forward to progressing his industry knowledge and network from the blue-collar and labour side of the rail sector into white-collar recruitment.

“This is an exciting new opportunity to build on the established reputation I have built in the blue collar and labour market, and a natural continuation of my work in the sector.”

Explains Chris.

Chris will be focused on business development, supporting the current team building on established relationships and also bid development. Chris Spurdle will also be the main point of contact for a new client partnership Advance TRS have recently secured providing construction managers, project managers, civils, permanent way, signalling, planning and commercial engineering professionals into key rail projects across the UK rail network. These projects range across the UK & Ireland from a couple of million budgets to major infrastructure projects with budgets up to 200 million.

“We are delighted to welcome Chris into the Advance TRS team, and more personally, I am so pleased to work with him in the business development team. His experience and industry knowledge will prove to be a great asset to our business.”

Shares Business Development Director, Michael Schruyers.

When asked why Chris chose to join Advance TRS, Chris explained:

“I wanted to work for a specialist company, a niche recruiter. It was important for me to join a flexible and agile business where the team are skilled, well networked and have the ability to support clients throughout the process rather than a large corporate business. Advance TRS offer all this and have a really good team, both in sales and business services, and provide a positive work environment.”

Chris Spurdle will be supporting the business development team across the full spectrum of permanent and contract supply, both in rail and also reaching across the wider infrastructure piece.

Chris goes on to say:

“I love the ambition and trajectory Advance TRS offer as a growing SME. It gives me an exciting opportunity to play a key role in the business growth trajectory and adding value. Everyone has been so helpful and welcoming – particularly Jake and Josh who I have been working with a lot, and have helped me settle in. The business services support and payroll teams are brilliant too – shout out to everybody!”

Join Advance TRS

If you are looking for a new opportunity to further your career with an established and growing business providing quality recruitment solutions in the built environment and engineering markets, we are always looking for new talented staff to join our team. Find out what it is like to work for us and see our live opportunities.

Expert Rail Recruiters

Advance TRS know the rail industry like no one else. We work with some of the world’s biggest engineering organisations, creating bespoke recruitment solutions for some of the UK’s biggest rail projects.

Our team of experts are well established in the sector and expertly networked to ensure the best results for clients every time with specialisms focused on signalling, telecoms, E&P, OLE, Civils, M&E, Pway and Project Services. With over 400 contractors working across the UK rail network we are proud to be committed to high safety standards.

Advance TRS is accredited by the Rail Industry Supplier Qualification Scheme (RISQS), enabling us to supply rail recruitment solutions to clients across the UK. Find out how we can support your business hire the best talent in the market. Or get in touch to speak to a member of our team, call 01483 361061.

Advance TRS are proud to announce the new office opening in central London. The new office, based in the Northern & Shell Building, near Monument was launched in September 2022. This new base is the third office for the recruitment business and marks an exciting chapter in the business’s growth. 

The new London office will be a permanent office for some of our Rail recruitment business and provide a base for other members of the team who have meetings in London. 

The new office is led by Specialist Consultant in the Rail & Civil Engineering Industry, Craig Outhwaite. Craig joined Advance TRS in autumn 2021 and after one year is stepping up into this new role. Craig focuses on the recruitment of freelance Quantity Surveyors and Commercial professionals across the UK. 

“I’m really proud and excited to open and grow a London Branch for the company. London excites me, you can’t help but feel invigorated heading into the city each morning. The market is really busy and we are now expertly positioned to meet all our clients and candidates as needed”

Shares Craig. 

Craig is joined by Victoria Bartram (nee. Satterley), who joined Advance TRS earlier this month after a few years out to grow her family, Victoria is a brilliant addition to the team and back with a bang! 

“I’m very excited to of joined Advance TRS and to be involved in the opening of our new London office with Craig Outhwaite. Extremely busy and exciting times ahead!”

Explains Victoria. 

If you are a QS, at any level, with Civil Engineering experience, and you are feeling unhappy, unfulfilled, and just a bit meh about your role, then please get in contact with the team who has various roles with contractors, subcontractors and consultancies that may be your perfect job. Even if you are not ready to make the move just yet, they would love to meet you for a coffee and chat about the market, and what your perfect role would look like, so can contact you in the future about suitable opportunities.

Check out our latest roles and opportunities.

The new London office will specialise in the recruitment of Commercial (Quantity Surveyors’) Rail and Civil staff for “blue chip” clients across the UK. The team are currently recruiting Commercial Managers/Directors, Estimating Managers, Managing Quantity Surveyors and all other levels of Quantity Surveyors, Estimators as well as Risk Managers and procurement staff for major rail projects and frameworks including HS2. 

Join the Team

Are you working in London and looking for a new opportunity in engineering recruitment? We are looking to expand our team from our London office. Find out more about working life at Advance TRS or contact our Head of Talent Acquisition, Jessica Wells, to find out about our opportunities across all three offices and all built environment teams. 

This October our Director of Client Services & Rail Signalling, Sam Jennings will be taking part in Railway Children’s Ride Vietnam Challenge. As a novice cyclist, Sam will be confronting a challenging 450km cycle across 7 days in 30 degrees, on a (barely used) bike!

Please support Sam to raise money for this excellent cause and donate via his JustGiving page.

“Having never previously ridden a bike without balancing a child on the back, it seemed like a great opportunity to take on a huge personal challenge and raise money that will go to support some of the most vulnerable children in the world”

shares Sam Jennings.

So far Sam has completed over 500 miles training in the saddle, with 340 miles travelled through a very hot July! Lots of water, sun cream and only the one puncture so far to date to report as Sam hits the halfway mark on his donations target and only 2 months to go! In the next few weeks, Sam faces a step up in training with 100 miles a week to complete.

The trip itself will see Sam spend between six and eight hours in the saddle each day, travelling across waterways and plantations on unpaved and dusty roads, slightly different surfaces to the hills he will be training on but all part of the challenge for a true bike novice!

Sam Challenge Charity
Sam Jennings continues training for the Ride Cambodia Challenge this October

Sam has previously completed the London Marathon raising over £2,500 for Action for Children but is a complete newbie to the world of cycling and hoping to make the challenge worth whilst by beating his previous total.

Giving Back

Since Advance TRS was established in 2011, advancing less fortunate people has always been a central motivator for founder Andy Ridout and the Advance TRS team. To date, our staff have raised over £65,000 for charities completing an incredible array of personal challenges to raise money and awareness for those less fortunate. Find out more.

Railway Children

Advance TRS has been a long term supporter and partner of Railway Children and the Rail Aid campaign. Railway Children is an international children’s charity that funds rescue workers and street teams that seek out vulnerable children living on the streets before potential abusers get to them first. Our staff have completed a number of challenges to raise money and awareness for the charity including Three Peaks By Rail, Three Ironman’s, a trek up Kilimanjaro and to Everest Base Camp. Find out more about how Railway Children support children in need.

We are delighted to celebrate Sam Jennings, Director of Client Services and Rail Signalling for his eight years of service at Advance TRS. In his time at Advance TRS, Sam has managed the delivery of a series of Managed Service Programmes and Recruitment Process Outsourcing partnerships with key client accounts for the rail sector and was promoted to Client Services and Rail Signalling last year.

“Sam is a key member of the Senior Leadership Team and an influential figure within the business. He is always the first to get involved in company activities and is an active fundraiser, often putting his body (and facial hair!) on the line to raise money for a good cause.”

Explains Group Managing Director, Andy Ridout.

Sam has previously completed the London Marathon raising over £2,500 for Action for Children, Movember, Surrey Half Marathon and #WalkAllOverCancer challenge for Cancer Research UK.

Ride Vietnam Challenge

This year he is taking on a new challenge, Railway Children’s Ride Vietnam Challenge. As a novice cyclist, Sam will be confronting a challenging 450km cycle across 7 days in 30 degrees. He is now well into his training before the October trip. Please support his efforts and donate via his JustGiving page.

Client Services

As Director of Client Services, Sam is responsible for delivering service level agreements and key performance indicators for our key client partnerships, recruitment process outsourcing and managed service contracts. He works closely with clients to create and deliver custom recruitment solutions to support business needs. From contingent recruitment to managed services and recruitment process outsourcing. For key clients Sam acts as a delivery director, offering a single point of contact for line managers. He works closely with the Advance TRS recruitment delivery team to fulfil technical recruitment SLAs and KPIs.

Alstom Partnership

Notably, Sam is the Key Account Director for our recruitment partnership with Alstom. Sam leads our client services team to deliver a planned programme of recruitment to an exciting portfolio of projects across the UK. Advance TRS was appointed as RPO partners for Alstom’s permanent staff recruitment drive. We supply rail signalling management, engineering and installation professionals in York, Derby, Birmingham, London and Bristol, as part of CP6 in early 2020.

Railway Signalling

Outside of his work with key clients in Client Services, Sam is incredibly well networked within the Railway Signalling sector. He has led the Advance TRS rail signalling department, following in company founder, Andy Ridout’s footsteps.

Join the team

Sam is expanding his team! Check out our live vacancies to find out how you can join the Advance TRS client services team, delivering an internal recruitment function for our key clients.

This October our Director of Client Services & Rail Signalling, Sam Jennings will be taking part in Railway Children’s Ride Vietnam Challenge. 

Please support Sam to raise money for this excellent cause and donate via his JustGiving page. 

As a novice cyclist, Sam will be confronting a challenging 450km cycle across 7 days in 30 degrees, on a (barely used) bike! 

“Having never previously ridden a bike without balancing a child on the back, it seemed like a great opportunity to take on a huge personal challenge and raise money that will go to support some of the most vulnerable children in the world” shares Sam. 

The trip itself will see Sam spend between six and eight hours in the saddle each day, travelling across waterways and plantations on unpaved and dusty roads, slightly different surfaces to the hills he will be training on but all part of the challenge for a true bike novice!

Throughout the summer Sam will be up early and home late, trying to fit the training in and around family and working life, with 1,250 miles of training to be done before he even flies out. 

Sam will be keeping us up to date with regular updates from his training and welcomes offers for anyone to join him on a training ride! Get in touch if you would like to join Sam on a ride.

Sam has previously completed the London Marathon raising over £2,500 for Action for Children but is a complete newbie to the world of cycling and hoping to make the challenge worth whilst by beating his previous total. Donate via his JustGiving page. 

Giving Back 

Since Advance TRS was established in 2011, advancing less fortunate people has always been a central motivator for founder Andy Ridout and the Advance TRS team. To date, our staff have raised over £65,000 for charities completing an incredible array of personal challenges to raise money and awareness for those less fortunate. Find out more. 

Railway Children 

Advance TRS has been a long term supporter and partner of Railway Children and the Rail Aid campaign. Railway Children is an international children’s charity that funds rescue workers and street teams that seek out vulnerable children living on the streets before potential abusers get to them first. Our staff have completed a number of challenges to raise money and awareness for the charity including Three Peaks By Rail, Three Ironman’s, a trek up Kilimanjaro and to Everest Base Camp.  

Looking for a new challenge? 

We are always looking for talented new staff to join the Advance TRS team. Advance TRS offers a supportive environment to help you to be the best you can be and reach your career goals as part of our team, whether you are an established recruiter or just starting out on your journey. With access to the biggest clients in each market sector, a strongly networked and experienced Senior Leadership Team and great compensation, at Advance TRS we can help people grow and succeed as the company does the same. Find out about our current opportunities or contact Jess Wells, our Talent Acquisition Manager for a more detailed and confidential conversation. 

Follow Sam’s journey on our Instagram. 

We’ve rounded up some top news stories from across the Built Environment

National Rail Christmas and New Year engineering works complete

Network Rail have completed hundreds of Christmas and New Year projects across Britain’s railway. Giving you better and more reliable journeys for the long term. Read more…

Leaves on the line: a thing of the past?

Poor adhesion is now in the news following the collision between two trains at Salisbury Tunnel Junction, on the evening of 31 October. Read more…

Construction project starts dip but contract awards soar in mixed picture for sector

The number of construction projects started at the back end of the year has dropped sharply. However, a spike in contract awards indicates that the sector remains on track as it recovers from the Covid-19 hit. Read more…

Kier wins 142 rental home job at BBC TV centre site

Joint venture developer Stanhope, Mitsui Fudosan has picked Kier to build 142 affordable homes at its wider former BBC Television Centre development in West London. Read more…

Anglian Water CEO Peter Simpson says cross-sectoral collaboration crucial to tackle challenges and find solutions

It was a huge breakthrough to see water play a central role for the first time at any COP, with the first ever dedicated Water Pavilion and widespread acknowledgement that water is critical to the climate debate. Read more…

Water UK launches campaign to get the UK winter ready

Industry body Water UK is encouraging customers to take some immediate steps, such as lagging pipes and checking central heating, to ensure they stay safe and warm over the winter months. Read more…

Browse our latest jobs.
Register for job alerts here.

This weeks news from across the Built Environment

How storms and flooding affect the railway

Floods, high winds and landslips can destroy railway infrastructure and block lines. Network Rail teams repair damage and clear debris to ensure trains can continue to run. Read more…

Rail operator unveils first co-operative energy project on UK rail network

The new initiative is expected to save up to 50 tonnes of carbon a year, generating over 200,000 kW hours of electricity. Read more…

Government ‘collusion’ with construction sector allowed combustibles loophole

The Grenfell Tower Inquiry has told that hundreds of high-rise buildings in the UK were clad with combustible materials because the government failed to crack down on a loophole after colluding with the construction industry. Read more…

Glow-in-the-dark concrete used on first commercial scheme

A glow in the dark paving system that absorbs ultraviolet rays during the day and radiates light at night has been used for the first time on a major commercial development in Derbyshire. Read more…

Initiatives boost opportunities for women in water

British Water’s unique Women on Water campaign continues to build momentum, with the renewal of a successful mentoring programme and the announcement of an in-person networking reception. Read more…

Water retailers opt for new United Utilities in-house meter reading service

United Utilities has seen a growing uptake by water retailers of its non-household meter reading service – more than 90 per cent of non-household meters in the North West are now being read by the water company. Read more…

Browse our latest jobs.
Register for job alerts here.

Latest news across the Rail Industry

How storms and flooding affect the railway

Floods, high winds and landslips can destroy railway infrastructure and block lines, so Network Rail teams repair damage and clear debris to ensure trains can continue to run. Read more…

Rail operator unveils first co-operative energy project on UK rail network

The new initiative is expected to save up to 50 tonnes of carbon a year, generating over 200,000 kW hours of electricity. Read more…

Transport for Wales introduce more services to timetable

Transport for Wales (TfW) have announced there will be an increase in the number of services running on its network from December this year. Read more…

A sustainable new vision for the future of Scottish railways is on track

Scotland has huge ambition when it comes to greening rail travel. It has set a target date of 2035 for eliminating diesel across its 2820 kilometres of track. Read more…

Browse our latest Rail sector jobs here.
Register for job alerts here.

As a rapidly growing recruitment business, continuing to improve equality, diversity and inclusion is vital to us at Advance TRS. We always strive to create a working environment that is free from discrimination and promotes equal opportunities for all, and we work with our clients to help them do the same. 

In a series of interviews we have spoken to some of the talented women working at Advance TRS and asked them what challenges they might have faced in their careers so far and what advice they would give other women wanting to start working in their sectors.

In this part of the blog series we spoke to Senior Resourcer Emily and Client Services Delivery Manager Louise.

What made you want to start a career in your sector? 

Louise: I have always worked in a sales environment ever since finishing college, and I thrive on working towards a target and being driven by earning commission. The last 10 years have been in the recruitment sector and I would never look back. It can be a rollercoaster ride, the highs are high but the lows can be really low. However for me, I wouldn’t change it as being rewarded for working hard is what motivates me every day. I have always been competitive whether that be in sports or work and enjoy the challenge of constantly pushing myself to be better.

Emily: I’ve always been interested in a career in recruitment, it’s always seemed like a job I wanted to do. The role itself is rewarding in so many ways; you’re given great career development opportunities, you get to help people reach their career goals, you have the incentive of earning additional income by working hard. Working in rail wasn’t something I initially ever saw myself being capable of doing, but it’s been great learning about an interesting sector that was brand new to me. I think the best and honest way to describe being in recruitment is that it’s a feast and famine environment but the good massively outweighs the bad because there is so much reward in doing well. 

Is there anyone that inspires you in your career? 

Louise: You always look up to the “top billers” within the company and strive to get closer to them. Obviously our MD Andy is a huge inspiration as he has taken Advance TRS from nothing to where we are today. I also admire our Finance Director Carolyn, as she has made her way to a Board Director position through her hard work and commitment to the company and as the only female Director she of course is also inspiring to me!

Emily: Everyone at Advance TRS inspires me. Everyone has achieved something and it’s great to see others doing well as it’s a great insight into the potential your career has.

If you could have dinner with three inspirational women, dead or alive, who would they be and why? 

Louise: My nan, Marilyn Monroe, Beyonce

Emily: Princess Diana, Kim Kardashian, my Auntie 

Based on your own experience, what advice would you give to women considering a career in your sector? 

Louise: You have to be thick skinned to work in recruitment, strong willed and persistent. Never give up and even if you get knocked back pick yourself up and try again

Emily: Stay positive, trust in yourself and be confident in your work, always be willing to pick yourself back up after a setback and not let it affect you and don’t be afraid to stand out from the crowd.

How important is it for women to lift each other up and what does that mean to you? 

Louise: I think it’s very important for women to support other women, we should embrace each other’s strengths and not feel threatened or jealous but be proud of each other.

Emily: It is extremely important for women to feel empowered and to empower other women in return, It’s the greatest gift we can give each other and it doesn’t cost a penny.

How do you find being a woman working in your sector? 

Louise: Being in recruitment, it is quite a male-driven environment, particularly with the sectors we work in, so it can be tough as you do find you are the minority but the key is to stand strong and don’t be a pushover. Also it’s nice giving the boys a run for their money too!! (Nothing like a bit of healthy competition)

At Advance TRS we are always looking for talented and driven new team members. If this is you and you would like to work for a business that values its employees’ contribution to its success then we would love to hear from you!

To find out more about our current opportunities, visit our careers page, or for a discrete conversation, contact Paul Metcalfe, Advance TRS CEO on 07793 554 413 or email pme@advance-trs.com.

Advance TRS recently celebrated Emily Hajek’s promotion to Senior Resourcer within the Rail team. Having first joined the business in August 2019, Emily quickly proved to be a driven and dedicated member of the team and has earned the promotion through her hard work.

Emily swiftly settled into her role at Advance TRS has built a strong network of contacts. She is always keen to gain an in-depth understanding of what her clients and candidates are looking for, to ensure that she finds the perfect solution to suit all requirements. 

“It is a real pleasure having Emily on the Rail Recruitment team. Despite the changes in working conditions during the pandemic, he has proven her value by putting in the effort and going above and beyond.” explains Advance TRS Managing Director and Founder, Andy Ridout.

Emily assumed her new role of Senior Resourcer in March 2021 and is responsible for dealing with permanent, contract and temporary placements, sourcing suitable candidates and dealing with everyday queries. 

Rail recruitment at our core

We have more than 100 combined years’ experience recruiting within the rail sector at Advance TRS, with each of our expert recruitment consultants specialising in a particular discipline within the industry. This ensures we have the capability to meet the precise needs of our clients and candidates. 

We work with some of the world’s biggest engineering organisations, creating bespoke recruitment solutions for some of the UK’s biggest rail projects. If you’re currently looking for an exciting new opportunity, take a look at our jobs page and apply today! (insert link to rail jobs page)

We’re hiring

At Advance TRS we really understand that talented and motivated staff is the key to any successful business. To help us develop our team into the best they can be, all staff receive invaluable mentorship from our experienced senior leaders and are able to shape a clear career path bespoke to them.

We are always looking for driven and ambitious individuals to join the team. As a rapidly growing recruitment agency, we have fantastic opportunities available across the business. Head over to our careers page to find out more about our culture, vision and mission and to find the latest internal vacancies.

For a discrete conversation contact Advance TRS CEO Paul Metcalfe on 07793 554 413 or email pme@advance-trs.com.

We would love to hear from you!

Josh Hill first joined the Advance TRS Rail team as a Recruitment Consultant in January 2016 and has been progressing within his career and the company ever since.

Now a Principal Consultant, Josh specialises in Civils & Permanent Way. He provides effective and efficient delivery and support to candidates and clients alike, using his knowledge of the rail sector and project delivery to lead our Civils & PWay team.

Prior to this, Josh built his experience running the business’ 4 Lines Modernisation (4LM) project delivery, placing white and blue collar signalling professionals in both permanent and contract roles across the London Underground upgrades.

“Josh was instrumental in placing over 200 candidates on the 4LM project, the largest signalling works of its kind in the world.”

explains Advance TRS Managing Director and Founder, Andy Ridout.

“He builds strong relationships with his clients to make sure he understands their requirements, which means he manages to quickly source the right candidates for the roles. I am excited to see what the future holds for Josh’s career here at Advance TRS.” 

Josh specialises in civil and permanent way engineering for the UK rail & metro network and has developed a strong understanding of the industry and key client businesses. 

Rail recruitment at our core

We have more than 100 combined years’ experience recruiting within the rail sector at Advance TRS, with each of our expert recruitment consultants specialising in a particular discipline within the industry. This ensures we have the capability to meet the precise needs of our clients and candidates. 

We work with some of the world’s biggest engineering organisations, creating bespoke recruitment solutions for some of the UK’s biggest rail projects. If you’re currently looking for an exciting new opportunity, take a look at our jobs page and apply today! (insert link to rail jobs page)

We’re hiring

At Advance TRS we really understand that talented and motivated staff is the key to any successful business. To help us develop our team into the best they can be, all staff receive invaluable mentorship from our experienced senior leaders and are able to shape a clear career path bespoke to them.

We are always looking for driven and ambitious individuals to join the team. As a rapidly growing recruitment agency, we have fantastic opportunities available across the business. Head over to our careers page to find out more about our culture, vision and mission and to find the latest internal vacancies.

For a discrete conversation contact Advance TRS CEO Paul Metcalfe on 07793 554 413 or email pme@advance-trs.com.

We would love to hear from you!

The latest news across the built environment

Arcadis, Colas and Costain teams to battle for £500M HS2 power contract

HS2 Ltd has revealed the shortlist of bidders for its £523M high voltage power supply systems contract. Read more…

Crossrail | Another West London station transformed ahead of Elizabeth line opening

The transformation of West Ealing station in West London has been completed ahead of the Elizabeth line opening. Read more…

Common prequal system launches to save £1bn in paperwork

Two of the country’s largest contractor trade bodies have launched a nationally recognised single prequalification system for construction with the promise of saving £1bn in industry paperwork. Read more…

Brownfield housing funding for 500 Manchester new-builds

Manchester has secured nearly £8m from the Brownfield Housing Fund to help deliver around 522 new homes. Read more…

New measures to cut water companies’ reliance on storm overflows to discharge sewage into rivers to become law

The government has confirmed that measures to reduce sewage discharges from storm overflows will be put into law. Read more…

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Advance TRS celebrated a number of promotions in the past few months. Amongst those was Jake Rodger’s promotion to Recruitment Consultant. Jake has been with the business since May 2019, when he joined the Rail team as a Resource Specialist and he has since become a valued member of the team.

Within his role of Recruitment Consultant at Advance TRS, Jake has built a strong network of contacts and is always focused on sourcing talented candidates for his clients’ roles. While working mostly remotely, Jake didn’t let any of the events during the past year slow him down. 

“Jake’s drive and dedication to the business and his work are admirable. He takes time to understand his clients’ requirements and continuously manages to swiftly source the right talent to fill the roles. I am excited to see Jake continue to grow in his role and excel in his career.” explains Advance TRS Managing Director and Founder, Andy Ridout.

Jake took on his new role of Recruitment Consultant within the Rail Team in October 2020. His responsibilities now include using his extensive and established candidate network to work closely with client companies to find the best talent matches. 

Jake specialises in the railway signalling sector and uses his strong understanding of the industry and key client businesses to source the best candidates for each requirement, in addition to offering advice to clients and candidates on rates, training and career progression, and supporting salary negotiations between candidates and clients.

Rail recruitment at our core

We have more than 100 combined years’ experience recruiting within the rail sector at Advance TRS, with each of our expert recruitment consultants specialising in a particular discipline within the industry. This ensures we have the capability to meet the precise needs of our clients and candidates. 

We work with some of the world’s biggest engineering organisations, creating bespoke recruitment solutions for some of the UK’s biggest rail projects. If you’re currently looking for an exciting new opportunity, take a look at our jobs page and apply today!

We’re hiring

At Advance TRS we really understand that talented and motivated staff is the key to any successful business. To help us develop our team into the best they can be, all staff receive invaluable mentorship from our experienced senior leaders and are able to shape a clear career path bespoke to them.

We are always looking for driven and ambitious individuals to join the team. As a rapidly growing recruitment agency, we have fantastic opportunities available across the business. Head over to our careers page to find out more about our culture, vision and mission and to find the latest internal vacancies.

For a discrete conversation contact Advance TRS CEO Paul Metcalfe on 07793 554 413 or email pme@advance-trs.com.

We would love to hear from you!

Advance TRS are delighted to celebrate the promotion of Louise Oldham to Client Services Delivery Manager. Louise has been with the business for over 4 years and this promotion recognises her dedication, drive and hard work. 

Within her role of Client Services Delivery Manager at Advance TRS, Louise now manages team members and will develop the Client Services division to deliver service level agreements for select MSP and RPO clients. 

Louise’s main focus is developing a good understanding of client companies, their industry and work culture in order to build and nurture strong relationships, best understand clients’ assignments and swiftly source the best candidates for those requirements. With over 9 years’ recruitment experience, Louise has a proven track record in the sector and understands the importance of building a strong candidate and client network.

During the successive lockdowns, Louise has been an essential team member, driving the adaption of processes to ensure safety for all throughout the hiring and candidate onboarding process. Louise has successfully ensured new starters have been successfully onboarded in their new roles with clients and supported whilst starting their new jobs remotely. 

“Louise is a bubbly, friendly and very driven individual. She listens carefully to client specification and has an incredible talent for sourcing excellent, hard to find candidates for niche roles across a wide range of skillsets.”

explains Advance TRS Managing Director and Founder, Andy Ridout.

“Louise uses her talent for understanding client requirements, to lead her team in delivering high quality and effective recruitment solutions. Her promotion to Client Services Delivery Manager is well-deserved and I am excited to see her continue excel in her career.”

Louise moved into her new role of Client Services Delivery Manager within the Rail Recruitment Team in January 2021. She is now responsible for the continued growth, success and effective service delivery of the Client Services team, and will be supporting the Client Services Director. 

Having progressed to a managerial role, Louise will oversee internal training of staff members and will be in charge of setting and reviewing her team’s KPI driven objectives. She will be mentoring staff to further develop a learning culture within the Managed Accounts and Client Services divisions in addition to delivering against her own recruitment targets. 

Advance TRS are delighted to celebrate the promotion of Sam Jennings to Director, Client Services and Rail Signalling. Sam has been with the business for over 6 and a half years and this promotion recognises years of dedication, success and hard work. 

In his time at Advance TRS, Sam has managed the delivery of a series of Managed Service Programmes and Recruitment Process Outsourcing partnerships with key client accounts for the rail sector. 

Most recently, Sam has been the fundamental project lead, working closely with a major client in the railway signalling sector to deliver a Recruitment Process Outsourcing partnership that has to date placed over 100 professionals in permanent contracts throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Sam and his team have worked tirelessly through lockdowns and adapted processes to ensure safety for all throughout the hiring and onboarding process and he has worked with the client to ensure new starters have been successfully onboarded and supported whilst initiating work remotely. All this has been achieved, whilst maintaining the service level agreement, KPIs, sourcing over 100 professionals and maintaining all compliance standards. 

Previously, over a period of 3 years, Sam oversaw and managed a team to deliver a contingent labour contract for the 4 Lines Modernisation project. This project to upgrade the signalling systems of four of London Underground’s most important railway lines: Circle, District, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan, when complete, will boost the number of trains to 32 every hour. Sam managed a team of consultants internally in addition to an in-house delivery manager at the client, to deliver an ever-flexing workforce, from 80 up to over 200 workers at peak times that was always fully compliant to London Underground regulations. The team delivered impressive 100% fill rates for each possession and positively managed flexing demands in the workforce for a safe, compliant and successful programme of works. 

Outside of his work with key clients in Client Services, Sam is incredibly well networked within the Railway Signalling sector and has led the Advance TRS rail signalling department, following in company founder, Andy Ridout’s footsteps. Railway signalling has been the founding core business of Advance TRS since establishing in 2011, and Sam has successfully developed the department in his time with the company. 

“In his time at Advance TRS, Sam has been a key consultant to the business, leading teams to success. I am delighted to recognise his efforts with this significant promotion to Director,” 

explains Advance TRS Managing Director and Founder, Andy Ridout. 

“It has been a privilege to watch his evolution in the business and to work so closely with him over the last 6 and a half years. I am excited to see what is to come for Sam and the team as he continues to grow from strength to strength.” 

New Role

His new role as Director of Client Services and Railway Signalling is divided into two key areas of responsibility; overseeing and driving the success of the client services team and managing the railway signalling recruitment team. 

As Director of Client Services, Sam is responsible for delivering service level agreements and key performance indicators for our key client partnerships, recruitment process outsourcing and managed service contracts. He works closely with clients to create and deliver custom recruitment solutions to support business needs, from contingent recruitment to managed services and recruitment process outsourcing. For key clients Sam acts as a delivery director, offering a single point of contact for line managers, working closely with the Advance TRS recruitment delivery team to fulfil technical recruitment SLAs and KPIs. 

In addition, Sam will continue to use his extensive experience and wide network within Signalling Engineering on the mainline railway and London Underground to lead the Rail Signalling division at Advance TRS. He will continue his work to build a growing team of recruitment consultants to further build the division, recruiting for key clients across the UK and across all levels of seniority from Graduate to C-Suite hires.

Charity / Fundraising 

Sam has always played an active role in the company’s fundraising initiatives and most recently Sam led Advance TRS’s Movember efforts, raising money and awareness of health issues men face, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention. 

Sam has also previously completed the London Marathon and Surrey Half Marathon in aid of Action for Children, raising over £2,500 for the charity. Of the 3 representatives from Advance TRS who completed the London Marathon, Sam completed the marathon with the fastest time, clocking in at just under 4 hours. His incredible journey started the previous year when he tore his anterior cruciate ligament in a game of Sunday football. After months of tireless recovery, Sam began training again and achieved his target he set to enter and complete the London Marathon.

This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Aecom wins Network Rail Scotland contract

Network Rail has appointed Aecom to undertake civil engineering consultancy services on rail lines in Scotland. Read more…

Network Rail sets out targets to combat global warming

Network Rail has revealed new science-based targets to tackle global warming. Read more…

HS2 Chilterns tunnel vent shaft headhouse designs revealed

HS2 Ltd has revealed the final design for the Little Missenden vent shaft headhouse, which will provide ventilation and emergency access to the railway’s 16km-long Chilterns tunnel. Read more…

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This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Siemens Mobility announces Goole apprenticeships

The first jobs at Siemens Mobility’s Goole train building factory have been announced as 12 apprenticeships. Read more…

HS2 work uncovers Curzon Street roundhouse

Archaeologists working on HS2 in Birmingham have uncovered the remains of what is believed to be the world’s oldest railway roundhouse at Curzon Street station. Read more…

Seven bridges face renewal in major rail project

Confirmation has come from Network Rail that a £10M plan to update rail in Somerset will take place over the next two weeks. Read more…

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This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Turner & Townsend take on Sydney Metro West role

Management specialist Turner & Townsend has been appointed to provide project management office (PMO) services on Sydney’s Metro West scheme. Read more…

Alstom’s world-first hydrogen train completes tests in the Netherlands

After ten days of successful tests, Alstom’s Coradia iLint train ran 65 kilometres of line between Groningen and Leeuwarden in the northern area of the Netherlands. Read more…

Birmingham HS2 Interchange build begins

Preparatory work is almost complete on the site of HS2’s new Interchange station that will serve Birmingham Airport, the NEC and Birmingham International. Major structures have started to arrive ahead of construction. Read more…

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This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Network Rail invests over £100m to upgrade network over Easter

Network Rail is encouraging passengers to check and plan their journeys in advance over Easter this year due to planned improvement works. Read more…

‘Changing’ CrossCountry appoints regional directors

CrossCountry has announced the appointment of four regional directors with responsibility for operational and financial performance at the franchise, which is held by Arriva under a directly-awarded contract that currently runs to October 2020. Read more…

DfT greenlights ‘high quality’ Crossrail 2 business case

The Department for Transport (DfT) has rubber stamped the business case for Crossrail 2, which includes a funding update and a plan to avoid delays. Read more…

HS2 West Midlands-Crewe link takes next step

A motion has been agreed in the House of Commons on the HS2 link between the West Midlands and Crewe. Read more…

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This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Work begins on £450M West Midlands metro extension

The Midlands Metro Alliance has started work on the £450M, 11km long metro extension between Wednesbury and Brierley Hill. Read more…

Masterton takes over HS2’s assurance panel

Former ICE President Gordon Masterton has been appointed chair of the Independent Assurance Panel (IAP) for High Speed 2, which peer reviews and provides procurement advice to the railway builder. Read more…

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This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Alstom to take over Bombardier

Alstom, French multinational company who operate worldwide in rail transport markets, are set to take over Canadian train producer Bombardier. Read more…

New minister for HS2 named

Lancashire MP Andrew Stephenson has been appointed as minister for HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail. Read more…

HS2’s latest designs for Old Oak Common Station revealed

HS2 Ltd revealed on 19th Feb designs for Old Oak Common Station, as part of the Schedule 17 submission to the Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation (OPDC). Read more…

Network Rail launches £200M framework

Network Rail has begun the search for contractors to work on the rail network in southern England as part of a new £200M framework. Read more…

New structure replaces 129-year-old Dorset bridge

Network Rail has finished building the new Yetminister rail bridge in Dorset. Read more…

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This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

HS2: Government to give high-speed rail line the go-ahead

The government is set to approve the High Speed 2 (HS2) rail project. Read more…

Transport for the South East welcomes new partners

Network Rail, Highways England and Transport for London (TfL) have agreed to join the board for Transport for the South East, whilst working together with civic and business leaders representing more than 7.5m people and 300,000 businesses to form investment plans for the South East’s transport network. Read more…

Atkins wins rail role on Germany-Denmark tunnel

Atkins has secured a contract to provide consultancy services for the 18km Fehmarnbelt link between Denmark and Germany. Read more…

Network Rail awards five-year term to Jacobs for Design Services

Network Rail has awarded places on four Lots to Jacobs for their prestigious Design Services Framework (DSF), to deliver multi-disciplinary technical and professional services, including geotechnical, civils and structures capability. Read more…

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This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Rail revitalisation | Potential of Shapps’ £500M fund

Transport secretary Grant Shapps has set aside £500M to reopen disused rail lines and stations. So what is the history behind these abandoned lines – and what precedent has been set for their revitalisation? Read more…

Amey teams up with University for railway engineering apprenticeship

Amey Consulting has teamed up with Sheffield Hallam University to deliver a trailblazing Railway Engineering degree apprenticeship scheme to help attract new talent into the railway industry. Read more…

Scotland set for £1.26bn of rail investment

The Scottish Government has published its budget for 2020/21, revealing a “bold and ambitious programme” to develop the country’s infrastructure. Read more…

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Register for job alerts here.

This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Race starts for £570m Birmingham HS2 station

HS2 has fired the starting gun on bidding for Birmingham’s landmark Curzon Street station. Read more…

£500m promised by Government to restore historic rail lines

Remote communities across the country will see the benefit from better rail connections, set to advance regional economies and boost access to jobs and education, following a £500m fund to kickstart the restoration of lines closed over 50 years ago. Read more…

Bid submitted for £100m Darlington station regeneration

Tees Valley Combined Authority has submitted a bid to government for the funds needed to ‘dramatically overhaul’ Darlington railway station. Read more…

Avanti West Coast model train set to be auctioned for children’s charity

To raise money for children’s charity, Action for Children, the very first Hornby Avanti West Coast Pendolino is set to be auctioned off and expected to raise hundreds of pounds. Read more…

Two new stations lined up for central section of East West Rail

The preferred route for the central section of the East West Rail line has been revealed, with plans to build two new stations. Read more…

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This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Network Rail unveils plan to protect South West rail line

Network Rail has unveiled an updated plan to protect rail lines in the South West from cliff falls, landslips and the sea. Read more…

Birmingham tram extension approved

Transport secretary Grant Shapps has approved plans for the delayed Eastside extension to the West Midland Metro tramway. Read more…

Plans for £22M Leeds station submitted

ADP Architects have submitted plans for a £22M station to open in the south-west of Leeds, called White Rose Rail Station. Read more…

New tech-enabled trains are putting passengers in control

This year, nine operators are introducing new and upgraded trains with better technology on board, which are part of the industry’s commitment to replace half of Britain’s train fleet new for old. Read more…

Engineering expertise in Northern’s £100m investment

Rail operator, Northern, has published insight into the processes and engineering expertise involved with its current £100m investment into its trains. Read more…

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This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

150-year-old West Midlands tunnel set for revamp

Network Rail has announced it will be completing a £2M repair job on the historic Old Hill tunnel in Rowley Regis, near Birmingham. Read more…

Transport for Wales opens metro infrastructure hub

Transport for Wales has announced the opening of the South Wales Metro Infrastructure Hub. Read more…

Balfour Beatty electrifies rail lines between Bristol and Cardiff

Balfour Beatty has completed the electrification of 77km of the Great Western Railway (GWR) rail lines between Bristol and Cardiff. Read more…

Alstom wins £642 million contract with Avanti for Pendolino refurbishment and maintenance

Alstom has won a seven-year deal with Avanti West Coast worth £642 million for the refurbishment and maintenance of 56 Class 390 Pendolinos. Read more…

£1.7m investment from Network Rail to protect famous viaduct

The viaduct which was been featured in the Harry Potter series is the latest Network Rail project. Work has begun the protect the railway from possible landslips and rock-falls from the hillsides and embankments. Read more…

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This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Shapps pledges £500M to reopen rail lines and revamp stations

Transport secretary Grant Shapps has pledged £500M to “reinvigorate” railways in the north of England. Read more…

Plans revealed to invigorate North-East rail network

Transport secretary, Grant Shapps, has announced a commitment to reviving the North-East rail network, outlining how new investment will boost the network and level up infrastructure across the country. Read more…

EIC announces Network Rail collaboration to optimise UK railways

The Energy Innovation Council (EIC) has announced a new collaboration with Network Rail which will see it support the rail company in continuing to deliver reliable and sustainable power to its infrastructure. Read more…

Electric rail services underway for South Wales passengers

This week rail passengers in South Wales are benefitting from electric services for the first-time following Network Rail’s successful completion of electrification of the railway between Cardiff Central and London Paddington. Read more…

Greater Anglia launches new intercity trains on Norwich-London route

Greater Anglia ran the first of its ten Class 745 intercity electric multiple units in passenger traffic on January 8, when its 745007 formed the 0740 Norwich-London Liverpool Street. Read more…

£642m deal secured between Alstom and Avanti West Coast

The new West Coast Mainline operator, Avanti West Coast, have secured a seven-year deal worth precisely £642 million with Alstom, who will refurbish and maintain the routes of 56 electric Pendolino trains. Read more…

Network Rail names winners of £640m design services deal

Network Rail has revealed the firms it will use to deliver design services across the country. Read more…

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This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Heritage award presented to Network Rail

The National Railway Heritage have presented Network Rail with an award for their refurbishment of the South Esk viaduct at Montrose. Read more…

Northern Line Extension contractors prioritise workers’ mental health

Contractors working on the Northern Line Extension programme have revealed how they are attempting to improve mental health within the construction industry. Read more…

GTR start roll out of 200 more defibrillators in stations

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) is continuing its roll out of life saving defibrillators at stations across its network. Read more…

Birmingham powers up battery operated trams

Transport for the West Midlands (TfWM) has unveiled the first tram in the UK to run on battery power along a line without the need for overhead cables. Read more…

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This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

GWR confident of smooth December timetable change

Ahead of a major timetable change on December 15, Great Western Railway is confident it will not be affected by problems similar to those suffered by the industry in May 2018. Read more…

Green light for ‘802s’ to continue Dawlish running

Class 802s can still operate along the Dawlish Sea Wall in stormy conditions, Great Western Railway has told RAIL. Read more…

£350m contract for Hitachi Rail to build new Avanti West Coast trains

Hitachi Rail awarded a contract worth more than £350m by First Trenitalia, whose new Avanti West Coast rail service starts on the 8th of December, to maintain and prove 23 new intercity trains. Read more…

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This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Nexus appoints new Chief Operating Officer

Martin Kearney has been appointed as the new chief operating officer for Nexus, the public body which owns the Tyne and Wear Metro, and wider public transport across the North East. Read more…

RIA and Network Rail launch supply chain survey

The Railway Industry Association (RIA) has launched a survey in partnership with Network Rail to gather views from the supply chain on the product acceptance process. Read more…

Crossrail’s Bond Street station could now open with rest of line

Crossrail’s station at Bond Street is now set to open with the rest of the line, the project’s chief executive has told Transport for London. Read more…

TfL finally signs £1bn Silvertown Tunnel contract

Transport for London (TfL) has finally awarded its £1bn contract to design, build, finance and maintain the Silvertown Tunnel. Read more…

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Register for job alerts here.

This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Nexus appoints new Chief Operating Officer

Martin Kearney has been appointed as the new chief operating officer for Nexus, the public body which owns the Tyne and Wear Metro, and wider public transport across the North East. Read more…

RIA and Network Rail launch supply chain survey

The Railway Industry Association (RIA) has launched a survey in partnership with Network Rail to gather views from the supply chain on the product acceptance process. Read more…

Crossrail’s Bond Street station could now open with rest of line

Crossrail’s station at Bond Street is now set to open with the rest of the line, the project’s chief executive has told Transport for London. Read more…

TfL finally signs £1bn Silvertown Tunnel contract

Transport for London (TfL) has finally awarded its £1bn contract to design, build, finance and maintain the Silvertown Tunnel. Read more…

Browse our latest rail jobs here.

Register for job alerts here.

This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Eurostar and Thalys could merge in 2021

The planned merger of Eurostar and Thalys should happen in 2021 if plans are agreed by shareholders. Read more…

Hull Trains prepares to introduce its five brand-new Hitachi bi-modes

New Hitachi Class 802/3 bi-modes are due to enter traffic between London King’s Cross and Hull from early December. Read more…

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This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Rail Industry Ambassadors set to help shape the future of rail

Young Rail Professionals have announced in support of their mission to promote the rail industry as a great place to work, they’re recruiting Rail Industry Ambassadors to visit schools, colleges and universities and career fairs. Read more…

Amulet wins PFM award for work with C2C

Amulet, the specialist security business of the Churchill group has won the Partners in Expert Services – Public Sector for its partnership with train operator, Trenitalia Limited (trading as C2C). Read more…

Network Rail extends Ganymede labour supply deal

Network Rail has extended its labour supply deal with Derby-based agency Ganymede by a further year to March 2021. Read more…

Eurostar celebrates 25th birthday with first plastics-free train

To celebrate its 25th anniversary, the Eurostar has committed to a number of environmental measures including the running of the first plastic-free train. Read more…

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This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Modernised Govia Thameslink Railway fleet improve energy efficiency

Govia Thameslink Railway are now recycling over 50% more energy back into the railway network, helping to power the fleet and making them more energy efficient than any previous generations of trains. Read more…

Edenbridge station refurbishment completed as part of £1.25bn Kent upgrade

A £500,000 upgrade at Edenbridge station in Kent has been completed by Network Rail. Read more…

£20bn of rail schemes to be delivered in 2020

The Rail Delivery Group has outlined the latest details of its £20bn investment in improving services and upgrading infrastructure on the network. Read more…

Network Rail charity partner says workforce mental health is paramount

The Health and Safety Executive’s annual figures for Great Britain, the Managing Director of Mates in Mind, has urged employers to ensure that they are investing in their workforce following a recent report. Read more…

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This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Telent awarded Network Rail station wi-fi contract

Network Rail has awarded Telent Technology a contract to roll-out free passenger wi-fi with ‘seamless connectivity and single sign-on’ at the 20 major stations which it manages directly. Read more…

New uncertainty over status of HS2 review

The ‘make or break’ review into the future of HS2 being carried out by Douglas Oakervee and Lord (Tony) Berkeley may have been delayed by wider political uncertainties, including the possibility of a General Election, according to the Government’s critics. Read more…

Keighley station set for £4m upgrade

Network Rail has announced an investment of over £4m into the upgrade of Keighley station, improving services and experiences for the 1.7 million annual passengers. Read more…

Network Rail closes in on appointments for East Coast ETCS partners

Network Rail is in the final stages of appointing traffic management and system integration partners for its Digital Railway Transformation programme on the East Coast Main Line. Read more…

London’s Docklands Light Railway will receive New Thales technology

122 million passengers are set to have their journeys improved following Thales’ signing of a new contract to support DLR’s rolling stock replacement programme, which will help bring more regular and reliable journeys in East London from 2023. Read more…

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This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Arup and Network Rail publish innovative report on ‘Tomorrow’s Living Station’

Arup, in partnership with Network Rail, have published their ‘Tomorrow’s Living Station’ report, exploring the exciting part that stations will play in our towns and cities. Read more…

Welsh SMEs invited to bid for £738M South Wales Metro project

Transport for Wales (TfW) has launched plans to involve local firms in the delivery of the £738M South Wales Metro. Read more…

Ilford and Romford station enhancement contract

Network Rail has awarded VolkerFitzpatrick a £20m contract to complete the upgrading of Ilford and Romford stations in east London for the Crossrail project. Read more…

HS2 JV reveals how it fast-tracked Birmingham design

Consultants working for the Balfour Beatty/Vinci joint venture (BBV JV), which has won the High Speed 2 (HS2) N1 and N2 main works civils contract, have revealed how they fast-tracked the stage 1 design. Read more…

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This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Two Network Rail leaders internationally recognised among most influential women in engineering

The Financial Times has selected two Network Rail leaders to appear on the most influential females in engineering list. Read more…

Crossrail’s Paddington service plans revealed

Trains from London Paddington Crossrail station to Shenfield will begin six months after trains start serving the low-level station from other destinations. Read more…

Coming soon to a station near you?

Robots could be guiding passengers around stations in the future, under plans revealed by Hitachi this week. Read more…

Transport secretary approves Northampton rail depot plans

Transport secretary Grant Shapps has given the green light to plans submitted for the Northampton Gateway Strategic Rail Freight Interchange, a huge rail depot located to the south of Northampton. Read more…

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This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Oakervee review looks at axing HS2 to Leeds

The eastern leg of HS2 from the East Midlands to Sheffield and Leeds could be scrapped, according to reports. Read more…

Macho culture blamed for ‘toxic masculinity’ within engineering sector

Masculinity is a “prison” burdening male engineers with unrealistic expectations and causing a mental health crisis within the industry, a study has concluded. Read more…

Barhale to divert water mains for HS2 access

Barhale has been appointed by Affinity Water to direct water mains in West London ahead of High Speed 2 construction. Read more…

Class 20s redeployed on railhead treatment train and freight duties

Class 20s owned by Harry Needle Railroad Company have been resurrected for hire duties after a long-term deal with GB Railfreight came to an end in the summer. Read more…

Jet-washing trains begin work in Kent and Sussex to remove leaves on the line

Network Rail have deployed jet-washing trains onto the lines in Kent and Sussex, where they will be travelling the equivalent of four times round the Earth in order to clean the railway. Read more…

‘Quick-thinking’ ScotRail employee nominated for lifesaver award

On World Mental Health Day, a ScotRail employee has been nominated for a top award after his rapid response to noticing and helping a vulnerable person. Read more…

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This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Mace wins role on £200M Yorkshire train factory project

Mace has been appointed by Siemens Mobility to support the delivery of a new £200M train factory in East Yorkshire. The firm will provide project and cost management services, health and safety work, and environmental expertise. Read more…

Target cost and timescale revealed for Coventry very light rail scheme

The target cost and timescale for a new very light rail (VLR) system in Coventry has been set out with the aim of having the first phase open to passengers by 2024. Read more…

Improved rail services for East Anglia

Greater Anglia’s transformation of the East Anglia is set to continue later this year with a complete fleet of new trains. Read more…

Network Rail teams up with universities on research

Network Rail is to invest a minimum of £10 million on working with universities to boost research and development. Read more…

Paddington-Reading Crossrail trains to begin running from December 15

TfL Rail will operate trains between London Paddington and Reading from December 15. They will form part of the planned Crossrail service, and replace existing Great Western Railway services. Read more…

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This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

Manchester Metrolink’s greener future

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) are to renew and upgrade Manchester Metrolink’s electrical infrastructure in a bid to support and maintain TfGM’s green transport strategy for the city. Read more…

West Midlands HS2 interchange station development granted up to £20m

The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has agreed to fund up to £20m for a UK Central Hub in Solihull alongside the HS2 station development. Read more…

New power research to be aided by veteran train

A veteran train which was built by British Rail around 40 years ago is to play a key part in research into alternative power sources. Read more…

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From the start, it was clear that Andy Ridout had big ambitions for his new business, and that finding likeminded individuals who would have the right drive and hunger would play a central role in making Advance TRS one of the best in its industry.

This September marks Advance TRS’s 8th birthday, and the business has come a long way since its humble origins in 2011. Starting as a one-man band, Andy, Group Managing Director quickly grew the business from strength to strength.

The technical recruitment agency has successfully attracted some of the best recruiters and business professionals to the team, bringing with them an impressive 150 years’ combined industry experience, and are not planning to stop.

Andy’s goal to more than double the workforce in the next couple of years is on track as the business continues to grow the two offices, with plans for more locations on the table. One of our latest recruits, Alex Shaw, has recently joined our South Coast team.

But not only do we boast impressive industry knowledge and experience, but the business also put a big emphasis on our colleagues’ mental health and wellbeing. Advance TRS have appointed trained mental health first aiders and have recently been shortlisted as Finalists in the Workplace Mental Health and Wellbeing category in the Solent Business Awards 2019.

Whilst continuing to grow and improve the business, Advance TRS maintain committed to providing excellent customer service to both candidates and clients alike. With business development plans firmly rooted in our five Core Values of Quality, Commitment, Integrity, Honesty and Loyalty, Advance TRS aims to continue this pattern of growth whilst maintaining our strong reputation as dependable, effective and honest.

“Advance TRS’ success has been proven that hard work and a dedication to delivering excellent service pays off” Andy explains, reflecting on the last 8 years.

“Now, the team and I continue to be more motivated than ever to continue this sensational track record of growth and are excited for what the future brings.”

If you’re a driven individual who likes to contribute to their brand’s success then we’d love to hear from you. 

Advance TRS is growing quickly, so we are always looking for new people to join the team. If you are interested to find out more about our current opportunities, visit our website or for a discrete conversation, contact Paul Metcalfe, Advance TRS CEO on 07793 554 413 or email pme@advance-trs.com.

This weeks latest news in the Rail Industry:

New railway station between Hinckley and Nuneaton receives backing

Plans for a new railway station between Hinckley and Nuneaton looks set to go ahead following backing from councillors. Read more…

Government paves way for next phase of East West Rail

The decision, which follows a public consultation on the line, paves the way for the project to apply for a development consent order from the Department for Transport which would formally authorise the line. Read more…

Prime Minister urged to support £3.5bn Midlands rail plan

Midlands Connect has unveiled an ambitious plan to move ahead with seven rail projects in the region, which are designed to be co-ordinated with HS2. Read more…

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This week’s latest news in the Rail Industry:

HS2 review to consider changes north of Birmingham

The government-ordered Oakervee review is to rule on proposed changes to the northern section of High Speed 2 (HS2) tabled by Midlands Connect. Read more…

Sicat joins Network Rail’s UK Master Series

With the need to electrify significant parts of Great Britain’s rail network to meet rail decarbonisation targets, the industry continues to design and develop innovative solutions that will deliver improved value over the life cycle of an asset. Read more…

Gian Paolo Gotelli to head up TX Logistik

Rail logistics group TX Logistik has appointed Gian Paolo Gotelli as its new CEO. Read more…

TfL kicks off major rail infrastructure improvement framework

Transport for London (TfL) has kicked off its search for interested parties to take part in its major London rail infrastructure improvement framework agreement. Read more

Network Rail to fund projects to improve tunnel safety

Network Rail has launched a £3M fund and invited organisations to submit projects which can help improve safety and efficiency in tunnels or improve station security. Read more

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This weeks latest news in the Rail Industry:

Northern Line heat exchange to warm 1,000 homes

Heat from the Northern Line is set to be captured and used to warm homes in Islington as part of an attempt to capture more “waste heat” in the capital. Read More…

World first as solar connected to railway line

The first in the world Riding Sunbeams project to power the Wessex railway route with solar power has taken a major step forward after the solar powered signalling and lighting system was switched on, on the Wessex route. Read More…

Anglia rail upgrades set to improve passenger journeys

Following major upgrades to the Anglia rail network, carried out by Network Rail, passengers are set to benefit from greatly improved journeys. The improvements were made as part of the company’s Rail Upgrade Plan across Essex and North London, and saw all of the projects delivered on time over the August bank holiday. Read More…

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This weeks latest news in the Rail Industry:

Network Rail reveals detailed £2.9bn upgrade plans for TransPennine route

Major station upgrades and plans to rebuild and electrify an 8-mile stretch of track have been put forward by Network Rail as part of a public consultation on a major upgrade to the TransPennine route. Read More…

Aldershot railway line to be directly powered by solar farm in ‘world first’

A Network Rail pilot scheme will see the world’s first solar farm to power a railway line directly in Aldershot, in Hampshire. Read More…

Leeds puts out call for ideas for new mass transit system

West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) has issued a global call for ideas to develop a new mass transit system for the Leeds City Region. Read More…

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This weeks latest news in the Rail Industry:

Network Rail submits indicative bid for troubled British Steel

Railway infrastructure company Network Rail have submitted an indicative bid to take over parts of British Steel in an attempt to save the troubled business. The state-owned company are concerned about disruption to the rail network if British Steel were to permanently close.  Read More…

Plans for Cardiff’s £1bn transport network unveiled

The network proposes a new ‘Cardiff Cross Rail’, a new light rail and tram system running from east to west of the city. Speaking at a Welsh Government Conference on Active Travel, council leader Cllr Huw Thomas called for major changes to the city’s transport infrastructure.  Read More…

Hydrogen trains could replace local electrification

Local commuter trains powered by hydrogen could replace the need for electrification on smaller routes, an industry expert has suggested.  Read More…

TfW starts work on £100m South Wales Metro depot

Transport for Wales (TfW) has begun work on a £100m depot for the South Wales Metro to support vehicles on the system. The depot at Taff’s Well is set to play a key part in the network which aims to be running from 2022, part of a wider £5bn investment to transform Wales’ transport infrastructure.  Read More…

‘The challenge of completing Crossrail’

With a new plan now in place to deliver Crossrail, Hedley Ayres, National Audit Office manager, major projects and programmes, takes a look at how things went wrong. As has been extensively reported, Crossrail is around two years late and, if all its £17.6bn of funding is used, could end up costing around £3bn more than expected.  Read More…

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This weeks latest news in the Rail Industry:

Diversity and inclusion: The shape of things to come

How the organisation developing the UK’s new high-speed rail network is changing the industry’s diversity and inclusion practices. Mark Lomas joined HS2 as its head of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in January 2016. After starting out as a musician he became an EDI specialist, overseeing the development of major programmes at the Shaw Trust, the Law Society of England and Wales and the BBC. Read more…

CAF wins DLR train order

CAF has been awarded the contract to design, manufacture and supply a fleet of 43 trains for the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) by Transport for London (TfL). The contract will include a Fleet Support Agreement to provide technical support services and spares supply. Based on CAF’s successful Metro vehicle design, the new five-car trains enter passenger service from 2023. Thirty-three of the trains will replace DLR’s oldest rolling stock which is nearly thirty years old and 10 will increase frequency and capacity across the network. Read more…

The 5 bidders for HS2 train order reveal their designs

Five organisations are bidding for a contract to design, manufacture and maintain the trains for the first phase of HS2. The original list was Alstom, Bombardier, Hitachi, Siemens and Talgo. When Bombardier and Hitachi decided to make a joint bid, CAF was added to the list to maintain five bidders. The first phase, for at least 54 trains to run on both HS2 and the ‘classic’ network, is likely to be ordered in Spring 2020 with a contract value of around £2.75 billion. Read more…

WWII bomb-damaged signal box celebrates 120 years

A doodlebug, a blast-injured signaller and one of the longest frames on the South Eastern railway – Maidstone West signal box has had an extraordinary history. The Grade II listed box turned 120 years old on June 4 but remains fully operational. In fact, it’s one of the last remaining examples of the original signal box design by Evans O’Donnell &Co. Read more…

How to upgrade a railway station

Station upgrades are important to our efforts to put passengers at the heart of what we do. Such improvements can range from more room for passengers in the station and on platforms to improved railway infrastructure around the station for better journeys. Read more…

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This weeks latest news in the Rail Industry:

Week on the Network

We cater for 4.8m rail journeys every single day, while simultaneously delivering an ambitious, multi-billion pound Railway Upgrade Plan. Watch their video of the week on the network here…

A train journey on the Midland Main Line 15 years from now…

A mere 15 years from now, a description of a rail journey from London to Sheffield could include an explanation of how part of the journey will be clean and green under electric power and the rest will be driven by dirty diesels. Read more…

No excuse for derailing station IT

Are you truly a commuter until you’ve reached a mainline station at 6pm on a muggy summer Friday evening and experienced the dreaded digital signage failure? Read more…

From the archive: WWII and the railway

This D-Day – 75 years since Allied troops landed on the beaches of Normandy – we uncover fascinating images of the railway’s preparations for conflict in Europe. Read more…

The skills bottleneck: Dealing with growing apprenticeship demand

The Network Rail Engineering Technician apprenticeship program develops the technicians, team leaders, supervisors, managers, and engineers of the future. Read more…

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This weeks latest news in the Rail Industry:

Network Rail works hard to improve the railway each week

Last week on the network with Network Rail, watch here…

Work starts on Horden station, County Durham

Construction of a new station at Horden, near Peterlee, County Durham, has commenced and should be complete by Spring 2020. Read more…

How we’re improving journeys through fewer speed restrictions

Handing back the railway to passenger services at a higher speed is a top priority for our engineers. Read more…

Birmingham Moor Street vision embraces the future and celebrates the past

Over the years, many of Birmingham’s beautiful, historic buildings have been lost to the bulldozers.  Read more…

International Archives Week – Network Rail

This International Archives Week – 3 to 9 June – highlights how archives put people at the heart of information. Read more…

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This weeks latest news in the Rail Industry:

Network Rail unveils new regional managing directors

Network Rail has announced five new regional managing directors as part of its “evolution” towards a more passenger-focused approach. Read more…

Evolution not revolution

Metal wheels on metal rails have, for almost 200 years, provided energy-efficient transport due to their low rolling resistance and effective load bearing. Read more…

Late May bank holiday works complete – Network Rail

Our huge team worked round the clock this late May bank holiday weekend to carry out vital upgrades for passengers. Read more…

Technical Seminars at Railtex – Keynote Speeches Revised

The Technical Seminar programme, arranged and hosted by Rail Engineer, gives Railtex exhibitors the opportunity to talk about their latest developments to an enquiring and knowledgeable audience. Read more…

How rail timetabling works

A new rail timetable went live on May 19, introducing 1,000 new services every day. Read more…

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This weeks latest news in the Rail Industry:

RailStaff Awards: A conduit for change

When Lee Woolcott-Ellis was recognised at the 2018 RailStaff Awards, it launched a roller coaster ride that he’s yet to get off.  Read more…

Young Rail Professionals: A call to action

Before joining the rail group, I had the privilege of moving between different sectors – most recently higher education. Read more…

Railway Children to reconquer Kilimanjaro

Think back to 2009 and you might remember watching a group of celebrities take on the challenge of reaching the summit of Kilimanjaro for Comic Relief’s Red Nose Day.  Read more…

Military is good for rail

Stewart Thorpe finds out why so many service leavers turn to and succeed in the industry. Read more…

The value of community rail

A new report from the Association of Community Rail Partnerships (ACoRP) has evaluated the benefits of the community rail movement to individuals, local areas and society. Read more…


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The latest news this week in the Built Environment:

Meet the UK’s first Climate Change Teacher

Bec Wakefield becomes the first UK teacher to become accredited under the UN’s Climate Change Teacher pilot programme. Read more…

Downing starts £250m London student tower

Liverpool-based developer Downing has started work on its largest London project to date. Read more…

Thames saving 20 million litres a day after 250,000 home visits

Thames Water has now helped 250,000 homes save 20 million litres of water every day as part of its award-winning smarter home visit project. Read more…

Network Rail announces £136m contract winner to manage its road vehicle fleet

Network Rail has awarded a £136m contract to Hitachi Capital to manage its road vehicle fleet for the next four years. Read more…

Plan for 1,300-home led scheme near Harrow

Housing association Network Homes has bought land next to Northwick Park Hospital in Brent to kick-start a major regeneration project, bringing new homes and commercial space to the area. Read more…

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This weeks latest news in the Rail Industry:

Passengers set to benefit following early May bank holiday upgrades

A workforce of thousands across the country delivered renewed infrastructure and improved facilities – leading to better services for passengers. Read more…

Bond Street a year behind other Crossrail stations due to tunnelling problems

Crossrail’s Bond Street station is a year behind schedule compared to the rest of the project’s stations because of extensive tunnelling delays, Mark Wild has revealed. Read more…

Ex-HS2 manager reveals route design complexities

A former High Speed 2 (HS2) area manager has pinpointed two major challenges facing route designers working on the southern half of the project.  Read more…

Five things you didn’t know about our fleet – Network Rail

Our fleet of vehicles and machinery works hard all year round.

It plays a crucial role in keeping the railway safe for passengers and freight operators, such as each autumn, when 61 specialist trains and vehicles minimise the impact of leaf fall and help reduce the chances of delays. Read more…

First new driverless Subway trains arrive in Glasgow for testing

The first of Glasgow’s new subway fleet has arrived in Scotland and begun an intensive testing programme in preparation for their launch as the first driverless trains in the UK. Read more…

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The latest news this week in the Built Environment:

Barclays announce further cuts to HTB rates

Barclays has announced that from tomorrow, new rate reductions on Help to Buy mortgage products will come into effect. Read more…

£14m Peak District rail freight extension unveiled

A £14m rail freight extension in the Peak District has been unveiled by Network Rail to boost construction productivity and take lorries off the road. Read more…

Which UK city has been crowned the best for families?

Now in its third year, the annual Family Living Index from MoneySuperMarket reveals this year’s best and worst locations in the UK to raise a family. Read more…

Driverless dump trucks used for first time on A14 site

Earthmoving contractor CA Blackwell has put self-driving trucks to work for the first time on Britain’s biggest road upgrade. Read more…

EA, OS and SEPA develop ‘MasterMap’ of Britain’s watercourses

Ordnance Survey (OS), the Environment Agency (EA) and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) have collaborated to bring together a nationally consistent view of Great Britain’s watercourses. Read more…

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This weeks latest news in the Rail Industry:

Network Rail ‘From the archive: the Royal Albert Bridge’

Ten years ago, we gave one of Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s most famous structures a new lease of life. Read more…

Network Rail awards £750m of major signalling contracts for CP6

Network Rail has announced the winners of six major signalling and telecoms contracts worth a total of £750m across Control Period 6. Read more…

Network Rail: The challenges of working in tunnels

Ever wondered what it takes to look after thousands of tunnels?
re responsible for 30,000 bridges, tunnels and viaducts as well as 20,000 miles of track. Read more…

UNIFE releases vision paper on Digital Trends in the Rail Sector

UNIFE, the Association of the European Rail Industry, has released a new vision paper on digitalisation that aims to bring the European rail supply industry’s views and objectives into the centre of the digital debate. Read more…

‘Cautionary’ welcome for Crossrail rescue plan

A NEW plan to rescue Crossrail and open the Elizabeth Line as soon as possible has been developed by senior managers and agreed by the Crossrail board. Read more…

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The latest news this week in the Built Environment:

Spotlight on earthworks

Extreme weather increases the risks that people and property are typically exposed to. Read more…

Digital UK map of buried utilities to save lives

Work is starting on an ambitious project to draw up a digital map of all UK underground pipes and cables to end strikes and save workers lives. Read more…

Be First appoints McLaren for Barking town regeneration scheme

Be First has confirmed the appointment of McLaren Construction to construct 169 affordable and shared ownership homes at the heart of Barking Town Centre. Read more…

Siemens Mobility submits plans for Goole rolling stock plant

Siemens Mobility has submitted an outline planning application for a £200m rolling stock plant at Goole in East Yorkshire which would manufacture and commission vehicles for the UK market. Read more…

£45m Edinburgh concert hall gets green light

Edinburgh’s first purpose-built music and performance venue for over 100 years has got the green light from city planners. Read more…

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The latest news this week in the Rail Industry:

New map aids disabled passengers and informs others

A new Access Map has been introduced to guide disabled people, and others with mobility difficulty, of the facilities available at each railway station in the country. Read more…

Helium balloons causing ‘increasing number of train delays’ at cost of £1m

Helium-filled balloons are causing hundreds of train delays at a cost of £1m in taxpayer money every year, Network Rail has revealed. Read more…

Dawlish sea wall gets council planning approval with construction to begin in May

Plans for an £80m sea wall to protect the Dawlish coastal rail line from extreme weather have been by approved by Teignbridge District Council. Read more…

What’s the National Operations Centre and how does it help passengers?

At the heart of the railway is a little-known team of dedicated specialists.

How does it help keep trains moving? How does it plan for severe weather? And what does it have to do with football? Read more here…

Crossrail station designer wins Queen’s Award

Crossrail station designer WestonWilliamson & Partners (WW&P) has bagged a Queen’s Award for exporting its expertise. Read more…

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The latest news this week in the Built Environment:

Planning permission for new homes in Newham gets green light

Mount Anvil and ExCeL London have secured a resolution to grant planning permission from Newham’s Strategic Development Committee for phases two and three of its development located in the London Borough of Newham. Read more…

VINCI starts work on new £100m Birmingham hospital

VINCI Construction UK has started work on a new £100m specialist hospital facility in Birmingham. Read more…

Cost of deposit return scheme “largely outweighs gains”, says IEA

The running costs of the government’s proposed deposit return scheme (DRS) for drinks cans and bottles is a very expensive way of achieving very little, according to a new briefing from the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA). Read more…

Welsh Water selects CoMag system for phosphorus removal

Dwr Cymru Welsh Water and its design and construction partner Mott Macdonald Bentley have selected Evoqua Water Technologies’ CoMag system for phosphorus removal at two of its wastewater treatment plants. Read more…

First of CAF’s new Nova fleet accepted by TPE ahead of rollout across north of England

The first of TransPennine Express’s (TPE) Nova 3 fleet has been officially accepted after completing testing with its manufacturer CAF. Read more…

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The latest news this week in the Rail Industry:

 

University buys land for ‘game-changing’ high-speed rail institute in Leeds

A 10-acre plot of land has been acquired by the University of Leeds in order to build a brand-new Institute for High-Speed Rail and System Integration which will be co-located with HS2 eastern leg’s rolling stock depot. Read more…

Industry calls on volunteers to step forward in support of the Samaritans

The rail industry has announced the “Million Hour Challenge”, which aims to encourage staff to donate their time, energy and skills to help the Samaritans support people in emotional crisis. Read more…

DfT’s £300m scheme to see disabled access at 73 railway stations improved

The DfT has announced a £300m investment to see disabled access improved at 73 UK rail stations. Read more…

Launch for Fast Trackers 2019

Newcastle College’s rail academy hosted the launch of Fast Trackers 2019 on March 15. During the morning, a group of 30 college students were welcomed by organisers Network Rail and Mott MacDonald and introduced to the academic routes into engineering by college staff. Read more…

Birmingham New Street becomes UK’s first 5G train station

A live trial of 5G has been launched at Birmingham New Street, making it the first train station to trial the “lightning-quick network tech” in the UK. Read more…

 

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 The latest news this week in the Built Environment:

 

Buyer registrations jump 16% in February

The latest data and analysis from national estate agent, haart, has revealed that pent-up demand possibly fuelled by the Brexit waiting game has seen buyer registrations jump 16% on the month. Read more…

DfT’s £300m scheme to see disabled access at 73 railway stations improved

The DfT has announced a £300m investment to see disabled access improved at 73 UK rail stations. Read more…

No Deal Interim Environmental “Shadow Body” Announced

Environment Secretary Michael Gove has announced that an interim environmental “shadow body” is in place in the event the UK leaves the EU without a deal in place. Read more…

British Water members not keen on water nationalisation

Companies across the water supply chain believe that the Labour Party’s plan to nationalise English water companies would negatively impact their businesses as well as customers, according to a survey by British Water. Read more…

Kier picked for £200m Camberley town centre revamp

The development arm of Kier has been named preferred bidder to deliver the £200m redevelopment of part of Camberley town centre in Surrey. Read more…

 

 

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The latest news this week in the Rail Industry:

 

Week on the Network – Network Rail

Network Rail works hard to improve the railway each week, you can see their ‘week on the network’ video here.

Network Rail announces CP6 spending plans of £42 billion

Network Rail has released its plans for Control Period 6, which starts on 1 April 2019. These show how the company intends to spend over £42 billion over the five years of CP6 (2019-2024) on maintaining and renewing the railway with the aim of increasing reliability and improving performance. Read more…

Funding sign-off for first half of HS2 construction delayed by ministers

Ministers have delayed signing off on the first half of funding for HS2 over concerns about the flagship rail project’s spiralling costs. Read more…

Northumberland line could reopen for passengers in 2022

Northumberland County Council’s plans to reopen the line from Newcastle upon Tyne to Ashington via Blyth to passenger services by 2022 have taken a step forward with the completion of the Strategic Outline Business Case for the plan. Read more…

UK Government announces support for feasibility study into Borders Railway extension

The UK Government has announced its backing for a feasibility study into an extension of the Borders Railway. Read more…

 

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The latest news this week in the Built Environment:

 

Microplastics are most common waste found along Mediterranean coast, study says

Polyethylene used to make plastic shopping bags and cling film forms most of plastic found in coastal waters, according to marine scientists from University of Barcelona. Read more…

EU re-approves NI water protection plans

The EU has given its re-approval for plans to protect water quality in Northern Ireland. Read more…

Graham wins £18m Carlisle cancer centre

Graham has been awarded an £18.3m contract to design and construct the new cancer centre at Cumberland Infirmary in Carlisle for North Cumbria University Hospitals NHS Trust. Read more…

Network Rail to spend £42bn on railway improvements to ‘restore public trust’

Network Rail is to spend £42bn on the railway over the next five years in a bid to improve poor punctuality in “the biggest modernisation of our rail network in over a century.” Read more…

Heathrow shortlists 18 construction hub sites

Heathrow Airport today revealed 18 sites left in the running to become construction hubs for the third runway project. Read more…

 

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The latest news this week in the Rail Industry:

 

Week on the Network

You can find Network Rails ‘Week on the Network’ here.

Government gives ‘hugely important’ £208m Belfast Transport Hub the green light

A new £208m Belfast Transport Hub with major rail and bus connections has been granted planning permission by the Department of Infrastructure. Read more…

ScotRail submits £18m improvement plan in response to government improvement notice

Under-fire train operator ScotRail has unveiled an £18m remedial plan to recruit more staff and bring in additional high-speed trains in response to the government’s improvement demands last month. Read more…

Easter engineering work “quietest for many years”

Although some routes will experience significant disruption, Network Rail said its Easter engineering work is “the quietest for many years” and will leave the majority of the country unaffected. Read more…

Major redevelopment plans for Edinburgh Waverley station unveiled

Network Rail has launched a consultation on a multi-million long-term redevelopment plan for Edinburgh’s Waverley Station. Read more…

 

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The latest news this week in the Rail Industry:

 

 

Network Rail reveals the winner of final track works contract worth £1.5bn

Network Rail has announced Balfour Beatty as the preferred bidder to carry out track upgrades across central England for the next decade in a contract worth an estimated £1.5bn. Read more…

Greater Anglia train drivers taking leap into new technology

New state-of-the-art train simulators are being used to train 768 Greater Anglia drivers that will be driving the new trains due to replace all of the company’s existing fleet from later this year, when it starts to receive 38 bi-mode and 20 all-electric trains from Stadler followed by 111 more electric commuter trains from Bombardier. Read more…v

The Train Drivers Academy

In the months up until 2021, around 7,000 new vehicles are set to be introduced by train companies across the country. Drivers will swap some of the oldest rolling stock on the network for some of the most state- of-the-art in the world as a result of the country’s current multi-billion-pound train-building boom. Read more…

“Radical yet respectful” proposals for Birmingham Moor Street station revealed

Proposals for a “radical yet respectful” transformation to Birmingham Moor Street station have been released. Read more…

New Hitachi 385s to replace ScotRail’s ‘happy trains’

ScotRail has confirmed that it is withdrawing its Class 365 ‘happy trains’ fleet and replacing them with new Hitachi Class 385s. Read more…

 

 

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The latest news this week in the Rail Industry:

 

Network Rail: Week on the Network

Network Rail works hard to improve the network each week, here’s their weekly update, read more…

LNER trains for East Coast Main Line given approval to enter passenger services

New LNER rolling stock for the East Coast Main Line (ECML) has received approval for its Class 800 Azuma trains to enter passenger service. Read more…

We’re investing over £100m in the railway this Easter

This Easter we’ll deliver more than £100m of investment in a better railway. A 13,800-strong workforce will work around the clock to keep the railway open and deliver more reliable infrastructure, improved facilities and services for passengers. Read more…

Rail minister gives boost to Hull-Manchester Airport direct rail link

Rail minister Andrew Jones has pledged to look at the options for a direct train service from Hull to Manchester Airport. Read more…

Midland main line electrification extended

Network Rail has been instructed to design an extension of the Midland main line electrification programme from Kettering to Market Harborough station, rail minister Andrew Jones has confirmed. Read more…

SWR and Porterbrook trial new emission-slashing rail technology

Groundbreaking emission-reducing technology is to be fitted to South Western Railway (SWR) train units as part of a new trial aiming to cut down harmful emissions from diesel trains by 80%. Read more…

 

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The latest news this week in the Rail Industry:

 

 

Predicting system failures before they occur

One of Network Rail’s key objectives is to improve service – and safety – for users and stakeholders. But it knows only too well that to achieve this, it must reduce the occurrence of system failures. Read more…

Bombardier plans digital takeoff with Heathrow Express fleet

Last month, it was reported that Porterbrook and Bombardier had signed a contract to upgrade a fleet of 12 Class 387 Electrostar units for the prestigious Heathrow Express service. The scope involves fitting the European Train Control System (ETCS) and a number of other passenger-focused upgrades. Read more…

Good Growth: Barking Riverside

Despite recent economic shocks, London’s population continues to grow. By 2041, the city’s population is expected to grow to over 10 million. Read more…

Lord Berkeley: TransPennine freight is being sidelined

Freight has suffered from the lack of capacity across the Pennines, especially for container trains needing W10 or W12 gauge. Read more…

Smart on Rail with Transport for the North

The launch of ‘Smart on Rail’ across the whole of the region marks a major milestone for Transport for the North (TfN). Read more…

 

 

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 The latest news this week in the Built Environment:

 

 

Llangollen railway: Funding bid to finish steam project

After 45 years of building a railway line between two Denbighshire towns, volunteers say they need £10,000 to finish the last stretch. Read more…

O’Rourke seals £70m Oxford Uni biochem project

Laing O’Rourke has finally signed a contract with the University of Oxford for phase two expansion of its acclaimed biochemistry building. Read more…

Thames Water turns up pressure on water thieves

Thames Water is ramping up the pressure on those who illegally tap into supplies and steal water after four separate offenders were heavily fined in court. Read more…

NatWest lifts DSS restrictions on BTL landlords following campaign

NatWest is lifting restrictions on buy-to-let landlords to allow them to let to tenants in receipt of housing benefit. Read more…

UK Collaboration Awarded £0.8m For Tech To Tackle Black Plastic

A unique project born from a collaboration between recycling compliance scheme Ecosurety, plastic innovations specialist Impact Solutions, recycling specialists Impact Recycling and plastics injection moulder company McLaren Plastics has been awarded £0.8 million by the Government’s Innovate UK grant scheme. Read more…

 

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A personal statement is usually the opening paragraph on your CV. It should be a short summary about you, to help employers see how you view yourself as a person and as an employee.

We’ve put together three simple tips for writing your personal statement:

How long should it be?

Your personal statement should be one paragraph, aiming for a minimum of 5 lines up to a maximum of 12 lines on a word document. If you’re looking for a word count, aim for up to 150 words.

If it’s too long, you risk repeating yourself and rambling too much!

If it’s too short, you’re not selling yourself enough!

What should it include?

You need to think about three key questions:

    • Who are you and what do you currently do?
    • What are your career goals?
    • What can you offer to your next employer, that could make you stand out above the rest?

Can I keep the same one for every job I apply for?

All job requirements are different. If you have the time, it would be beneficial to adapt your personal statement each time you apply for a job, so you can make it as relevant as possible to the role you are applying for. Make sure you do your research on the specific requirements the employer is asking for, both for the job and personal skills.

Remember, your personal statement gives you a chance to sell yourself in one paragraph. The rest of your CV is your work experience and your qualifications, so this gives you the opportunity to add that personal touch.

Here’s an example we’ve put together:

“As an experienced project manager, I have a proactive approach which has resulted in numerous successful completions of important projects across the rail industry. I am now coming to the end of my current project and am seeking a new challenge. I am a reliable and well-organised manager, bringing various expertise and knowledge to the table. I have extensive experience across the board and my attention to detail and communication skills is what makes me stand out from the rest.

TOP TIP

Make sure you ask someone to read through this for you to pick up any spelling or grammatical errors! You can’t always see these when you are writing yourself.