Amtrak lays down track for future rail workers with scholarship program

Amtrak on Jan. 12 introduced it should supply 11 scholarships to full-time undergraduate and graduate college students within the railroad. 

The Amtrak Scholarship Program is designed to “advance the way forward for rail,” based on a information launch. The railroad trade as an entire is in search of methods to appeal to and retain younger staff to be able to keep service, these at a September North East Affiliation of Rail Shippers convention mentioned.

“As we proceed to revolutionize the Amtrak expertise, hiring to handle important demand is important,” Amtrak Govt Vice President and Chief Human Useful resource Officer Qiana Spain mentioned in a information launch. “Amtrak is making a expertise pipeline to speculate sooner or later and deal with this new period of rail.”

The scholarship program is one half of a bigger effort to draw college students to careers in rail. The corporate additionally gives paid internships and co-ops for undergraduate and graduate college students and apprentice applications. Amtrak mentioned it hopes 50% of its interns tackle full-time roles with the corporate. 

Scholarships can be found to highschool college students who establish as Hispanic/Latinx, African American or Asian American/Pacific Islander ($5,000); girls in STEM ($3,000); college students fascinated about rail engineering ($3,000); IT college students ($3,000); college students in non-technical fields like enterprise, finance, advertising or provide chain ($3,000); and kids, spouses, civil union companions or home companions of Amtrak workers, retirees or furloughed workers ($5,000), the corporate mentioned. 

Scholarships will help with tuition, charges, books and gear, and college students are permitted to submit multiple utility. The deadline is Jan. 31. 

Amtrak debuted an apprenticeship program in March 2022, aided by an $8-million grant from the Federal Railroad Administration. New and current workers are eligible for the three-year apprenticeships. 

Amtrak additionally gives hiring bonuses and relocation packages to assist the rail firm fill important positions. As of August, Amtrak had greater than 4,000 open positions in venture administration, finance, expertise, onboard providers, electrical and customer support. The beginning pay for onboard service crafts is $21 per hour, and journeyman electricians begin at $34.07 per hour.