Over 3,000 on course for employment as Wolverhampton’s NIS Group celebrates transport expansion

More than 3,300 people have been started on the path to sustainable employment in rail, construction, and civil engineering this year by a leading Black Country training provider.

NIS Group, which was founded by former Royal Marine Davie Carns in 2018, is on course for its best-ever 12 months after accelerating the roll-out of its Transport, Rail, and Infrastructure Academy (TRIA) network in the region – a partnership with City of Wolverhampton College and the West Midlands Combined Authority.

The company says over £1 million has been invested into launching two new dedicated facilities in Aston and Coventry, supplementing existing hubs at the City of Wolverhampton College’s Bilston Campus and at BCIMO in Dudley.

It means the company can now offer 100 different courses in multiple locations across the West Midlands, all with dedicated industrial facilities and equipment to help learners become even more work-ready or to upskill to enhance long-term prospects.

Crucially, 83% of the people NIS Group has assisted have progressed into full-time sustainable employment - a major increase on the national sector average.

"We announced the launch of TRIA in February this year and, in just ten months, have taken what was an exciting vision and turned it into a reality," said  Davie Carns, Group Managing Director.

"Importantly, the network of dedicated training centres has been supported by industry and subsequently are kitted out with specialist rail, construction, and civils equipment. The backing from multiple UK-wide employers supporting our programmes has given us the platform to empower 3330 individuals to seek sustainable employment through training and education.

"These are real people with real stories, often overcoming difficult challenges in life whether that is long-term unemployment, physical disability, mental health issues, or returning to society after service in the Armed Forces.

“We are making a difference to thousands of people and this number will only increase as we grow our TRIA network even further in the coming months."

NIS Group has combined investment in the best trainers with the best facilities, equipping its four dedicated facilities with specialist capabilities, including a Signalling Academy and special slab tracks for high-speed rail. This is in addition to purpose-built areas for training on machines and heavy plant.

"We have come a long way in 2024 and that has been down to the commitment of our 70-strong team, who have worked tirelessly to build futures together for the people we support," he added.

"The next twelve months are shaping up to be another exciting period for the business as we plan for the official openings of Aston and Coventry, as well as our direct work with colleges and employers."