Network Rail.
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7 July 2025  


Thank you for your interest in Elevate Your Excellence. Applications for our September 2025 and February 2026 cohorts are now closed. Please reach out to TalentManagement@networkrail.co.uk if you'd like to be informed when applications for the next cohorts open.

What is it?

Elevate Your Excellence is a free training course for mid-level managers from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds who are keen to progress their careers in the rail industry.

It includes:

- a virtual launch event

- six days of face-to-face classroom-based learning

- four sessions of 1:1 coaching, with a qualified coach

- a peer group project, with a focus on charity/fundraising

- a presentation of your project to executive leaders

- ongoing support in your career development

This comprehensive programme is designed to provide the necessary skills, confidence, and support to elevate underrepresented groups towards excellence and leadership within the railway industry.

What will I gain?

On this course you will:

💡     Understand your personal strengths, enhance them, and learn how to leverage them for success.

💡    Gain opportunities to build and expand professional relationships.

💡    Explore techniques and tools needed for career progression.

💡     Experience putting your learning into action, by delivering a project

💡    Develop a personal brand and increase your visibility within the railway.

💡    Reflect on future career goals and identify steps to achieve them, supported by your personal career coach

💡    Develop the confidence and empowerment needed to take action towards career progression.

Programme Dates

There are two upcoming programmes. We are currently accepting applications for both programmes. Simply select your preferred cohort on the application form when you apply.

Cohort 1 - September 2025 - February 2026

9th September 2025 - Launch event - Virtual

24th - 25th September 2025 - Module 1 - Milton Keynes

11th - 12th November 2025 - Module 2 - Milton Keynes

9th - 10th December 2025 - Module 3 - Milton Keynes

3rd February - Presentation Day - Location TBC

Cohort 2 - February 2026 - July 2026

18th February 2026 - Launch event - Virtual

10th - 11th March 2026 - Module 1 - Location TBC

29th - 30th April 2026 - Module 2 - Location TBC

19th - 20th May 2026 - Module 3 - Location TBC

7th July 2026 - Presentation Day - Location TBC


The Elevate Your Excellence Modules

Pre-work and Launch Event Before the programme starts, complete a strengths diagnostic to set your baseline and help you measure how you grow throughout the course. A virtual introductory event will explain everything you need to know before starting the programme.Meet your coach Meet your personal coach on a 121 basis. Identify your aims, aspirations, and career goals,

Key Information - please read before applying

The course is open to ethnic minority colleagues in middle management roles working in the rail industry working for train and freight operating companies, Network Rail or HS2.

You should be on a permanent contract, or if you are on a fixed-term contract, your contract must cover the full duration of the programme.

Both frontline and office-based colleagues are encouraged to apply.

If your application is successful, you will be expected to attend all virtual and in person modules. If you cannot commit to attending all modules, unfortunately, we would not be able to progress your application.

You will need to have approval from your line manager to confirm that you can be released, before committing to the programme.

The programme is free, but you will need to source funding for your travel and expenses locally.

What is the application process

Applications open 7th July 2025 at 08:00 and will close at 23:59 on 10th August 2025*

*Note: depending on the volume of applications, we may have to close the application process early so please get your application in as soon as possible.

We've responded to your feedback and made the application process simpler and more inclusive.

❌   There are no psychometric tests

❌   There are no essay questions


Simply apply at the link below. Make sure you have permission from your line manager, and, if you work for Network Rail, please make sure you have completed the first 3 stages of Empowering Talent.

We will inform you whether you have been successful or not by 15th August 2025 at the latest.

Click here to apply for Elevate Your Excellence
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