Rail Sector Partnership Enhances Career Development for Canterbury Christ Church Students and Staff

Christ Church University Partners with Southeastern to Address Regional Skills Gaps

Canterbury Christ Church University has announced a strategic partnership with Southeastern Railway aimed at strengthening career development and professional growth for both students and staff. The initiative has been positioned as a response to regional skills shortages and a means of enhancing graduate employability, while contributing to wider economic development across Kent and the South East. Southeastern’s People and Culture Director, Steve Foster, described the collaboration as a significant step forward in addressing industry-specific workforce challenges. He noted that the partnership would open pathways for university students to gain practical experience in the rail sector, while also supporting staff development through tailored training and mentoring. The arrangement is set to include co-designed curriculum modules, innovation-led learning, and expanded CPD opportunities for Southeastern employees, thereby aligning academic content with real-world industry needs.

From the university’s perspective, Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Rama Thirunamachandran emphasised that the partnership would serve the mutual interests of both organisations and the region. He indicated that Canterbury Christ Church would continue to support career-focused education and provide students with access to hands-on experience in key sectors. This includes structured placements, mentoring schemes, and collaborative workshops designed to enhance student readiness for employment in transport, infrastructure, and logistics.

The university confirmed that the partnership aligns with its broader strategic vision for student success, which places employability and professional development at the centre of its academic mission. In addition to supporting individual career pathways, the collaboration will contribute to joint research and business insight projects aimed at addressing regional economic priorities. These projects are expected to inform policy, strengthen university–industry relations, and support innovation across Kent’s transport ecosystem.

Canterbury Christ Church University has also indicated that the partnership will be monitored through shared evaluation frameworks, including student feedback, graduate destination tracking, and employer engagement metrics. This approach ensures that both institutions remain accountable to their goals and responsive to evolving workforce demands. The university’s Careers and Enterprise Hub will play a key role in delivering support to students, offering guidance on applications, interview preparation, and sector-specific opportunities. First-year students will be introduced to the programme through orientation activities and targeted outreach, enabling early engagement with professional development resources. This ensures that students begin building career confidence and industry connections from the outset of their academic journey.

Positioned among respected UK universities and recognised for its emphasis on student support, Canterbury Christ Church University continues to demonstrate how academic institutions in England can combine subject expertise with practical training to prepare graduates for innovation-led economies. The partnership with Southeastern Railway reinforces the university’s commitment to career-focused education and regional workforce development.

Editor’s Note

The partnership between Canterbury Christ Church University and Southeastern Railway represents a meaningful step in connecting academic learning with real-world experience. It reflects the university’s ongoing commitment to preparing students not only for academic success but for long-term career development in key industries. This collaboration will give students the chance to learn practical skills that go beyond the classroom. Through mentoring, placements, and co-designed curriculum, students will gain insight into how large organisations operate, especially in the transport and infrastructure sectors. They’ll also develop confidence, teamwork, and leadership, qualities that are essential in today’s job market. Importantly, the partnership supports the university’s wider goals around professional development. Southeastern staff will benefit from tailored training and continuing education, while university staff will engage in joint projects that strengthen teaching and research. These shared efforts will help address regional skills shortages and support economic growth across Kent and the South East. Students will also be introduced to career pathways early in their university journey, with first-year engagement activities and support from the Careers and Enterprise Hub. This ensures that all learners, regardless of background or subject, can access opportunities to build experience, explore employment options, and prepare for life after graduation.

By combining academic expertise with industry collaboration, Canterbury Christ Church University is showing how universities can lead in shaping future-ready graduates and supporting workforce development. Skoobuzz underlines that the partnership with Southeastern exemplifies an education model, demonstrating how training initiatives can effectively address real-world challenges and achieve sustainable impact.