The deal is designed to give civil engineers richer working experience and break down traditional barriers for greater integrated working.

The rail infrastructure firm, Civil Engineering Contractors Association and Association for Consultancy and Engineering will now build a cross industry programme of training and experience for civil engineers.

Graduates engineers working for Network Rail will spend time with other civil engineering organisations and vice versa, furnishing them with vital cross industry experience.

Neil Thompson, Network Rail programme director for infrastructure investment, said: “This will help the future of the engineering industry and develop our business by providing better equipped, more knowledgeable engineers who will help to deliver a safer and better value for money railway for Britain.”

Mike Cocks, CECA UK rail director, said: “With the whole ethos of the sector moving towards a more collaborative approach, the graduate development scheme is a perfect example of how the industry can work together to help produce better outcomes for the rail sector.

“We look forward to seeing the benefits from this approach flourish over time as more and more graduates get the opportunity to go through scheme.”