The Railway Industry Association (RIA) is pleased to announce the launch of a new rail training service facility to support the whole industry, and RIA members, in developing and refining skills and knowledge across the sector.

Training services encompass three courses: Introduction to UK Rail; Accelerating Success – ESG-Driven Growth Strategies for Rail; and Work Winning in Rail Masterclass. The courses will be delivered by RIA’s railway specialists who have significant industry experience and expertise, with the aim of creating more in the future.

Courses are designed to give attendees in-depth knowledge and real actionable insights they can take back into their organisations.

• ‘Introduction to UK Rail’ is for anyone new to the industry, from apprentices and recruiters to business development managers and established professionals moving into rail.
• ‘Accelerating Success – ESG-Driven Growth Strategies for Rail’ is for small and medium-sized organisations across any tier of the rail supply chain.
• ‘Work Winning in Rail Masterclass’ is a must attend for people and organisations seeking to win work in the UK and export overseas, from business owners to development, sales and bid teams.

The sessions have been created in consultation with members and vary in length from one to two-day courses, which will be delivered in person to classes of 12-18 people. Following a successful pilot last year, the first course will take place in March. The 2025/2026 programme is available to book now in London and Leeds.

RIA Chief Operating Officer, Milda Manomaityte commented: “The three courses offered through RIA’s training services have been developed by industry experts who will share rich knowledge and valuable and actionable insights for both new and veteran rail professionals as well as those in between on everything from understanding the UK rail industry to strategies for success in ESG and work-winning. RIA members receive special rates on all courses.”

The trainers across the three courses include:

• John Downer MBA, MSc, BSc, FCMI, FCIWM, an environmental scientist, award-winning growth expert and Board Director of the High Speed Rail Group. During his 20 years at Jacobs, John secured £2.8+ billion in revenues across rail for professional services, construction and software. As Rail Market Director and Transportation Growth Director of UK & Ireland, he led year-on-year growth and designed the blueprint for the £800 million European business. 
• RIA’s Member Relations Manager Fiona Broomfield, with over 20 years of experience as an award-winning business-to-business communicator and 15 years of experience as a trainer and course facilitator across rail, business communications, PR and content. With over a decade of experience in the rail industry, Fiona has launched multiple award-winning publications for TOCs and supported the promotion of the supply chain through Rail Business Daily and RIA. 
• Neil Walker, Exports Director at RIA since 2014, with a wealth of experience from working overseas in multiple roles. He was Head of the Rail Sector at the (former) Department for International Trade from 2005-2009, before spending five years at the British High Commission in Singapore, leading on Rail, Infrastructure, Aerospace and Defence & Security Sectors.
• Nigel Wordsworth, a rail industry journalist and commentator since 2008, former Managing Editor at Rail Business Daily, and former Product Editor at Rail Media. He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Journalists and is a mechanical engineer with experience in the automotive, aerospace and motorsports sectors.

To book on the courses, click here.