FOUR students from Newton Abbot were given the chance to learn about working in the railway industry.

The Year 12 students from South Devon UTC completed a four day work placement with Network Rail, gaining insight into careers in the railway and construction industries.

The placement gave students the opportunity to experience the scale and complexity of major infrastructure projects first hand.

Through site visits, practical experiences and talks from industry professionals, students developed a deeper understanding of engineering in action and the wide range of careers available within the sector.

Students visited Bristol Temple Meads station, where they were introduced to ongoing and completed projects across the historic station.

This provided an overview of how large scale infrastructure improvements are planned and delivered.

The second day began at the Dawlish sea wall, where students learned about coastal defence engineering and the challenges of maintaining critical rail links in extreme weather conditions.

They then travelled to Exeter St David’s Depot with GWR, exploring train simulators, maintenance facilities and depot operations to see how rolling stock is serviced and managed.

The final two days were spent visiting live project sites across Devon and Cornwall.

Students observed bridge renewal works, new station developments and building refurbishments, working alongside construction managers and project teams to understand how projects are delivered safely and efficiently.

Daniel Parkes, Principal Portfolio Manager within Network Rail’s Integrated Infrastructure Team said: ‘All four students were an absolute pleasure and engaged throughout.

‘We had really positive feedback from the rest of the team who supported the visits.

‘At least two of the students seem set on being part of the railway industry going forward in their careers.’

Claire Plumb, Headteacher at South Devon UTC, said: ‘This placement with Network Rail gave our students an exceptional opportunity to see the scale, responsibility and teamwork involved in delivering major infrastructure projects.

'Experiences like this allow students to apply their technical knowledge in real settings, build professional confidence, and begin to see themselves as future engineers.’