The rail sector, despite current upheavals, remains a key UK industry with multiple supply and innovation opportunities across track, rolling stock, facilities construction and maintenance alongside those of HS2. These opportunities include many for SMEs in supply of services, components, infrastructure for stations and trackside, new technologies such as digital, propulsion, low carbon and very light rail.
Rail presents opportunities for local businesses large and small already active in sectors like automotive, aerospace and manufacturing to diversify.
The University of Birmingham BCRRE (Birmingham Centre for Rail Research and Education) is the largest rail focused team in Europe and is lead sponsor of UKRRIN (UK Rail Research and Innovation Network) across a number of UK universities. In conjunction with GBSLEP Growth Hub the SME Team within BCRRE runs the Get into Rail Programme to support Birmingham & Solihull LEP businesses to understand how to access the rail industry and support their innovation journey.
Who should attend?
Businesses interested in diversification into Rail to achieve business scale-up and growth. SME’s engaged with Innovation and New Products (particular emphasis on Digitisation)
To gain maximum benefit from this programme you will need to attend all 5 x 2 hour sessions and a 1:1. The dates are listed below and the time for each session is 10:00-12:000noon.
Session 1, 6 September 2022
- Get into Rail Aims and Objectives
- Introduction to Birmingham Centre for Rail Research & Education
- Round Table introduction/discussion for SME’s
- Rail Sector Challenges for 2022 – Great British Railways
Session 2, 13 September 2022
- UK Rail Architecture
- What is Rail Looking For?
Session 3, 20 September 2022
- Rail Supply Chain Procurement
- Sources of rail news/information
- Rail associations/bodies
Session 4, 27 September 2022
- Rail Quality standards
- What they are
- The awarding bodies
- How to apply for accreditation
Session 5, 04 October 2022 in-person event at University of Birmingham
- Action Planning for Get into Rail
- Developing your Business Plan
After attending this programme you will get:
- An understanding of the rail sector architecture
- An awareness of Great British Railways and transition plans
- An increased understanding of rail challenges and opportunities
Who will be presenting the programme?
- Rachel Eade MBE FRSA, Birmingham Centre for Rail Research and Education, Supply Chain Specialist