The Waterman Railway Heritage Trust was the successful winner of the Jobcentre Plus North West Youth Employment Award for 2010.  This award was given to the employer (SME) who had worked with Jobcentre Plus and had demonstrated a clear commitment to help young people (aged 18 – 24) back into work. 

This was demonstrated by the Waterman Railway Heritage Trust who are currently employing twenty apprentices through the a DWP Jobs Fund Scheme which is aimed at 18 – 24 year olds who have been unemployed 6 months or more.  To further enhance this scheme additional funding has been secured by The Waterman Railway Heritage Trust to provide a further 6 months of training to create a 12 month apprenticeship scheme.  The skills being taught to these apprentices are initially specific to the supply chain supporting heritage railways.  The apprentices are learning accredited engineering skills on the job and being trained by engineers who have been working in the industry for many years.

This project presents the apprentices with a unique opportunity to develop traditional engineering skills by working on a specific project which will see the complete restoration of a Garratt 109 steam locomotive which has been donated to the Crewe Heritage company by Pete Waterman (Music mogul and rail enthusiast) and, on completion, this fantastic locomotive will be donated to the Welsh Highland Railway.  The restored locomotive will work on the railway between Caernarfon and Porthmadog a line which is readily accessible for those living in the North West.    This means that this group of 20 young people will see this project from start to finish within the twelve month period whilst developing their engineering skills.

This scheme is acting as a forerunner to the launch of a new Rail Academy which they are intending to set up next year.  The Department for Business, Innovation & Skills confirmed in April that it would support the academy which could provide places for up to 500 young people over three years.  This would bring a huge benefit to the engineering sector, creating jobs and enabling the industry to compete effectively in global markets where currently, demand for these type of specific skills high although availability is declining.  Owner Pete Waterman has been praised for being hugely influential in winning support for the project at local and national level and feels totally passionate about the scheme.  His aim is to replicate the current model of a buddy system where older workers pass on their skills to apprentices.  Pete is determined that the academy will lead to apprentices getting jobs.  The demand for railway engineering skills continues to grow and the academy is of paramount importance to develop skills. 

The award ceremony was held at Everton Football club on Tuesday 13^th July and the picture shows Pete and the team receiving the award from Sue George the Regional Development Officer from Skills for Care who presented the award on behalf of Jobcentre Plus.