18
NEWS
RAILSTAFF JANUARY-FEBRUARY 2022
Sisk acquires Fuse Rail John Sisk & Son, the international construction and civil engineering business, has acquired Fuse Rail to complement its existing rail business in the UK. Fuse Rail, based in Kent, will continue to operate under its current branding and management team and its acquisition will provide excellent opportunities for growth for the business. Commenting on the deal Nick Culshaw, Managing Director of Sisk Rail, said: “Well done to all involved in making this deal happen. We look forward to working closely with the team in Fuse to help them grow and seek out new opportunities. This is a very exciting time for Fuse and Sisk Rail. Fuse Rail is a very strong complimentary fit with Sisk in terms of culture, focus on people and delivering excellence for customers.” Dave Saunders, Managing Director of Fuse Rail, said: “We are delighted to have
joined the Sisk business and look forward to continuing to deliver for our clients. From day one we knew there was a good fit with the people we have met as part of this process. Being part of the Sisk Rail business will open opportunities for us in our business and thanks to all my team who have worked really hard to get us over the line.” Fuse Rail is a specialist company servicing Electrification and Plant requirements within the Rail industry, based in Kent in the SouthEast of England. Through its talented team,
© Northern
Apprentice opportunities Northern, The UK’s secondlargest train operator, used National Apprenticeship Week (7-13 Feb) to urge Generation X – those born between 1965 and 1980 – to consider applying to its industry-leading apprenticeship scheme. With roles including train drivers and conductors requiring no previous practical experience, they are a great opportunity for people of any age looking to try something completely new. Northern is the largest provider of apprentice opportunities in the rail industry, with almost 600 apprentices employed across the organisation in roles such as conductors, drivers, engineering and business administration. Apprentice recruitment is on-going throughout the year, with vacancies currently up for grabs in engineering, business administration, control and rostering teams. One of the latest apprentices to formally complete their training with Northern is Katy Bailey, 53,
from Leeds. A mother of four and former mental health worker, she is now a fully qualified conductor based at Leeds station and says she loves her job and only wishes she’d found the railway earlier in her life. “Learning on the job from people with years of experience has really worked for me, and as an older apprentice I bring valuable skills from my previous jobs to this new career” she said. Tricia Williams, chief operating officer at Northern, said: “The days when being an apprentice meant you were someone just out of school or college are long gone. But that perception remains and it can be a barrier to more experienced people who might otherwise be interested in those roles. “Of course, anyone of any age is eligible to apply, but our message is that those people who have already enjoyed a career doing something completely different shouldn’t dismiss these schemes as ‘not for them’.
More information on Northern’s apprenticeship scheme can be found at: www.northernrailway.co.uk/careers RAILSTAFF.CO.UK | @RAIL_STAFF | FACEBOOK.COM/RAILSTAFF
it delivers specialist mechanical, electrical and construction projects, while maintaining the highest safety, health, environmental and quality standards. This acquisition adds to Sisk Rail’s proven capability in the sector across the UK. Sisk Rail is one of the leading contractors in the UK carrying out structures’ remediation, buildings refurbishment, mechanical and electrical planned maintenance, litter clearance, earthworks, fencing, drainage clearance and repairs on behalf of Network Rail and other train operating companies.
