Skills and diversity

GEORGE CHILCOTT: Chairman, Young Rail Professionals

To say that 2020 was a tumultuous year would be an understatement. The damaging effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have been widespread and have had a deep impact across all areas of society, including the railway industry and Young Rail Professionals ( YRP).

The norms in which we work, both in our day jobs and as volunteers, have been challenged. But we are incredibly proud of the innovative and inventive ways in which the industry and our members have found ways to overcome these challenges.

YRP has adapted and continued to deliver benefits to our members and the industry by moving all events, communications and leadership online. Perhaps the push that YRP needed, COVID has accelerated our development into a more efficient delivery body - multiplying the effectiveness of our volunteers and ensuring we are fit for the future, as outreach, networking and promotion activities evolve to be more digital.

The approval of the Pfizer and Astra Zeneca vaccines bring hope of a return to a level of normality in 2021. However, the industry mustn’t miss the lessons learned last year or understate the challenges ahead.

We need to keep investing in the best skills to ensure we’re ready to meet the challenges ahead. That means resourcing our industry from a diverse background and investing in developing our young professionals, despite the economic challenges brought about by COVID-19.

The pandemic has demonstrated the value of flexible and remote working, which has made working in the industry more accessible - for instance, for those professionals with children, care commitments or disabilities. We want to capitalise on this benefit and will retain online events and digital content, even when we are able to meet in person again.

We look forward to our work supporting this industry this year as a more diverse and united group of Young Rail Professionals.