This summer, 25 young people from Sweden, Latvia and the Netherlands came together for the Swedish Tramway Society‘s annual Youth Camp, a programme that has been inspiring the next generation of transport professionals for more than 20 years.
Run entirely by volunteers, the camp gives young people the chance to experience the world of rail and public transport first hand. During the week they learned about tramways, railway heritage, safety, teamwork and day-to-day operations while taking on real responsibility and building practical skills.
Activities included technical restoration, vehicle maintenance, traffic operations, safety training and working alongside experienced volunteers. The week concluded with a Family Day, where participants shared what they had learned with family, friends and visitors.
For many, the Youth Camp is just the beginning. Former participants have gone on to become volunteers, instructors, conductors and tram drivers, while others have built careers in railway operations, engineering, infrastructure maintenance and traffic management.
For camp organiser Mimmi Mickelsen, that long-term impact is what makes the programme so special:
“For me, the Youth Camp is one of the most meaningful things we do. Preserving historic trams and railways is not only about restoring vehicles or maintaining infrastructure – it is about passing on knowledge, skills and passion to the next generation. Without young people, our heritage has no future.”
Support from organisations across the transport industry helps the camp continue to grow. This year’s sponsorship, including support from Transit9, has made it possible for participants to come together again later this year for an additional educational visit to Gothenburg, giving them another opportunity to learn about modern public transport.
Transit9 was proud to stand alongside the other organisations supporting this year’s camp. As a company built exclusively for public transport, we believe the future of the industry depends not only on technology, but on the people who will design, operate and improve tomorrow’s transport networks.
Keith MacHale, CEO of Transit9, said:
“Public transport has always depended on passionate people. We’re proud to support the Swedish Tramway Society and the fantastic work they do to help young people learn new skills, build confidence and discover the opportunities a career in transport can offer. By supporting programmes like this, we’re investing in the future of our industry.”
As another successful Youth Camp comes to a close, Transit9 is proud to have played a small part alongside the many volunteers, sponsors and supporters who made it possible. We look forward to seeing where this year’s participants go next and wish them every success in their future journeys.