Job opportunities for York’s railway workers (From York Press)

Job opportunities for York’s railway workers

12:15pm Wednesday 10th October 2012 in Business news By Julie Hayes, Business editor

A RAIL engineering contractor is hoping to put to good use some of York’s historic rail expertise.

Vital Rail is hoping to recruit a number of rail workers from the city after the company was awarded a significant contract with Network Rail.

The agreement is to supply “possession management operatives” on the east coast mainline route who will be responsible for the safety of people working trackside in and around the city.

The business said it did not yet know how many people it would need to employ for the three-year agreement, which starts on November 10, between London Kings Cross and Berwick-upon-Tweed.

Vital Rail is hosting an open day in York at Tower Court, Clifton Moor, on Thursday, October 18, between 9am and 5pm to discuss the opportunities.

Gary Hardaker, Vital Rail’s managing director, said: “Once we have established with Network Rail their immediate requirements, we anticipate there will be demand for qualified railway operatives at locations across the London and north east route including London, Lincolnshire, South, West and North Yorkshire, Teesside and Tyne and Wear.

“This arrangement will provide opportunities for local communities and will enable people to work closer to home, which will appeal to the many operatives that usually have to travel out of the area.”