ScotRail HR Graduate

Description

Duration: 2 years

Start Date:

August 2026

With more than 5,000 employees, Scot Rail plays a vital role in serving the people and communities of Scotland. We recognise a modern and diverse workforce, encouraged to use their talents, and develop their skills, is integral to our success in serving and reflecting the communities of Scotland. We are committed to being a diverse and inclusive employer and have also set ourselves ambitious sustainability targets including having a carbon‑free railway in Scotland by 2035.

We’re looking for graduates to join our HR Graduate Programme in August 2026. Our people are the key to our success; therefore, we need excellent people processes, development opportunities and career paths to support their ambitions.

If you're a graduate, we invite you to join us and open the door to a world filled with thoughtfully curated experiences, knowledge, and connections that will shape your career journey. Throughout this exciting path, you can count on receiving all the training and support necessary to make your mark on the world. In simple terms, we're here to empower you, giving you the opportunity to influence how we operate and where we head next.

To be considered for this role you must have as a minimum:

• Qualifications (a degree) at SCQF Level 9 in HR or Business
• Be able to start in the business full‑time in August 2026
• You will be detail‑oriented with excellent organisational and time management abilities.
• You will be proactive and self‑motivated in your approach to work, with a willingness to learn and adapt.
• Any prior internships, coursework, or projects related to HR will be advantageous.

What can you expect from your graduate programme?

Our HR Graduate Programme is more than just a job. It's a launchpad for your future. You'll spend two years rotating across different HR functions, immersing yourself in everything from recruitment and talent management to employee relations and reward. You'll work alongside experienced professionals, gaining hands‑on experience and tackling real‑workplace challenges that truly make a difference.

You’ll start out with several weeks of in‑depth training, covering business knowledge as well as essential skills you’ll need for a successful start. Along the way you’ll build excellent foundational knowledge while getting to know our business and our people. During this programme, you’ll have the chance to rotate across our HR business partner teams, where you’ll be supporting a specific business on both day‑to‑day and strategic issues.

As a HR Graduate, you will have the opportunity to gain valuable experience in various aspects of HR operations and contribute to the overall success of our organisation.

• You will be working within a busy HR department supporting across the full employee lifecycle and providing general support to the HR team.
• You will contribute to employee engagement initiatives, such as surveys, events, and recognition programmes.
• You will assist in handling employee inquiries and providing basic HR‑related information.
• You will help with employee record management, maintaining accurate and up‑to‑date employee information.
• You will contribute to HR projects, such as policy updates, process improvements, and change initiatives.
• You will contribute to wider HR initiatives and projects such as early careers, recruitment, employee relations, people services and learning and development.

Your development will be supported through both on‑the‑job training and the structured Scot Rail Graduate Development Programme.

This role works Monday – Friday, 35 hours per week.

Starting Salary: £30,648 per annum

Selected candidates will be invited to a competency‑based interview. All offers are subject to passing our pre‑employment checks which include a criminal record check, medical and referencing.

Scot Rail Offer An Excellent Rewards Package Including

• Contributory Final Salary Pension scheme.
• Free and reduced rate rail travel for you and your family, where applicable.
• Generous holiday allowance.
• Enhanced company sick pay and family leave including maternity, paternity and adoption.
• Life Insurance cover for 4 x annual salary.
• Contributory lifestyle benefit options including discounts at hundreds of retailers, cycle to work scheme, discounted gym memberships and healthcare cashback plan.

Scot Rail is seven times accredited as a Top Employer, has achieved Leaders in Diversity and is a Disability Confident Employer. We value, celebrate, and respect the diversity our people and aim to inspire, attract, retain and develop the best talent. Because we value diversity and the benefits it brings, we want to continue improving the diversity of our people and particularly welcome applications from women, young people, LGBT+ people, people with a disability, and people from ethnically diverse backgrounds.