Youth Matters

Youth Work

We are keen to support young people across the Southern network and we do this in many different ways:

• Work experience
• School visits
• Curriculum support
• Engineering apprenticeship scheme

Experience Southern

Schools Work Experience

Southern offers students aged 15-19 the opportunity to complete a one week work placement. During this week, the students experience a broad range of business activities and take part in a range of projects aimed at giving them a real experience of the workplace. Each student also receives careers advice and support using Southern’s award winning coaching style.

“They are all really nice and friendly people that work within the company and I would love to come back and do this week again.” Student, 15 Years Old

“It was really good and everyone was lovely! I will definitely recommend this to other people.” Student, 15 Years Old

How to Apply

We encourage applications from students across the Southern network.

Please download and fill-out our school work experience application form with as much detail as possible and send it to recruitment@southernrailway.com.

 School Work Experience Application Form (805kb)

If you have any queries in the meantime, please email recruitment@southernrailway.com.

Job Centre Plus Partnership

We are working in partnership with Job Centre Plus to support young people who are looking for work. For some young people a lack of experience of the workplace is a significant barrier to finding and sustaining employment. Southern is helping young people to overcome this barrier through work experience placements. In a climate where experience is hard to across, these placements give them the opportunity to undertake real work and adjust to the routines and habits of working life.

The aim of this partnership is to significantly improve the young peoples’ employment prospects but Southern also benefits from this interaction by accessing a new group of future employees, supporting the local community and the satisfaction of mentoring hidden talent. Several work experience candidates have gone on to become full time employees at Southern.

Engineering Apprenticeships

For budding engineers, we also offer several apprenticeships each year where you can learn as you work achieving qualifications whilst getting paid.

Community

Artwork in Horsham

Horsham station has recently undergone a £multi-million major refurbishment and as large hoardings and fences are part and parcel of such a project, the Sussex Community Rail Partnership got in touch with The College of Richard Collyer to work on a project to display A-Level students’ artwork on the hoardings and fences while work at the station takes place.

20 large panels, displaying around 56 pieces of art including drawings, paintings and photography reflecting Horsham and its history were on view during the refurbishment project. The students’ artwork is outstanding and made a real difference to the station during its works, so the station has decided to keep the artwork as a feature of the upgrade station and now displays the pictures on the station's walkway. 

“We are delighted to be involved in this creative project, as it provides a great opportunity for our young artists to showcase their talent. The outstanding quality of the work on show is a reflection of their fantastic ability. We are incredibly proud of our students and they are a credit to Collyer’s and our superb Art department.”  Collyer’s Principal, Dr Jackie Johnston