Register Your Interest - Graduate Network Strategy Scheme 2027 (Planning and Analysis)

Our 2-year Network Strategy, Planning and Analysis Graduate Scheme will see you tackling major strategic challenges the rail industry faces. Gain a rounded view of the railway network and understand how the problems we face affect the work I do. With support from experienced mentors, you’ll play an important part in finding solutions that matter.

If solving problems matters to you.

You matter to us.

What you’ll be doing

You’ll ensure our railways are fit for future generations, developing skills in strategy, planning, and performance, supporting our teams and getting to grips with how their work feeds into timetabling, track works planning, and monitoring train performance, all in order to meet changing passenger and freight needs.

Backed by data, you’ll advise on long-term rail travel trends at national and regional levels to generate future policy and strategy and use data analysis and modelling software to identify the structural and operational requirements of our railway stations and their surrounding areas.

Who you are matters

You’ll need to have at least a 2:2 in any degree subject.

We look for genuine interest, passion for addressing challenges and the ability to creatively solve complex problems. You’ll need to be comfortable working with numbers, presenting your findings and communicating with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders.

What you’ll get out of it

Over the first 18-months, you’ll gain a variety of experience across the company, and we’ll support you to discover the area you wish to specialise in. During the following 6-months, we’ll focus on the specific skills you’ll require to secure your desired permanent role. When it comes to the application process, we’ll give plenty of guidance and support to ensure you make a great impression.

You’ll have the chance to earn a chartership in transport planning and strategic planning. We’ll also give opportunities to earn further valuable professional qualifications as your career develops.

Previous graduates are now working as Strategic Planners, Timetable Planning Specialists, Station Capacity Specialists, Economic Analysts, Project Sponsors and Policy Advisors.

About Network Rail

We are Network Rail. We matter to millions. We design stations, we repair tracks, we code software, we do finance, we do much more than you think.

As one of our graduates you’ll enjoy immense variety and gain unrivalled experience across a range of roles, projects, and types of work. You’ll have the opportunity to immerse yourself in all aspects of our industry and either find out where your interests and talents lie or further develop your career in an area you’re already passionate about.

The scale and scope of our organisation and the opportunities we offer is huge. But despite our size, you’ll find we work as a close, supportive team. And as one of many graduates on our scheme, you’ll not only be able to define your own career direction, you’ll also be able to share your growing experience and knowledge with our wider network of graduates - potentially building friendships and professional relationships that will last a lifetime.

We view our graduates as our future. So, whether you’re interested in a career in Civil, Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or Business, you’ll find that everyone, at every level is happy to offer you their time, support, and advice. Because we want you to succeed. That’s also why we offer amazing access to training, development, and further qualifications. All you have to do is ask us. And if we can help you to advance your knowledge and your career, we will.

Choose a graduate career with us and you’re choosing a career with real meaning. You’ll be part of a large and growing UK organisation that genuinely cares about its people and the world around us. We’re driven by service, not profit. And we want to create a safe and sustainable future for everyone. We matter to millions.

Join us and you could too.

Register Your Interest

To be the first to know once applications open, register your interest today!