IT'S full steam ahead for a scheme that helped Epping Ongar Railway get back on track by finding work for young people.
Scores of apprentices – of which 17 are former offenders – have been put to work on tracks across the South East, including EOR which reopened to the public last year.
The Mayor of London-backed initiative was set up in response to high unemployment in the capital, where one in four people aged 16 to 24 is out of work.
Transport for London, which is responsible for most of the capital's transport network, instigated placements for the apprentices to help bring back and maintain EOR, an award-winning heritage railway.
Many of the apprentices have already found a job within the rail industry after receiving a qualification at the end of the 12-month scheme.
Jon Miller, 19, from Chelmsford, is one of the people to have secured a job.
He said: "An apprenticeship was a great alternative to college for me because I enjoy a more hands-on approach to learning.
"Once I have finished my apprenticeship I hope to pursue a career in track maintenance or signalling."
EOR general manager Simon Hanney said: "Between January and May 2012, the apprentices carried out essential maintenance work to get the line ready to operate passenger services.
"Since then, they have been helping us maintain the line.
"Even in our first six months of operation between May and December 2012, research revealed that for every pound spent by visitors at Epping Ongar Railway, there has been a £4.74 spend locally, which is a great boost to the local economy, and we are delighted that the apprentices have helped us get where we are now."
The scheme was a partnership between Vital Rail, Vital Skills Training and TfL.
