Railways are big business. Or rather a collection of big businesses. From track owner, through signalling suppliers and locomotive builders, to carriage makers, and the rail service operating companies who actually run the train the rail industry directly employs 180,000 people. Indirectly it employs many thousands more.

As an industry rail has entered a period of rapid expansion, overcoming decades of relative decline to once again take up a position at the leading edge of Britain's transport infrastructure.

The industry drives the skills agenda to support its present and future needs.  It is, in turn, supported in this by GoSkills the Sector Skills Council for Passenger Transport.  GoSkills works with all industry parties on National Occupational Standards and qualifications, and the processes around these.