Consultancy Capita Symonds is preparing to enter a joint venture to bid for work on the £16bn Crossrail project.

David Young, the firm’s rail director, said: “There are lots of opportunities to get involved.”

As part of its push into the sector, the company is expanding its rail division by 10-20% this year. Young said that after Crossrail, projects such as Thameslink and the Olympics would keep the rail sector busy.

“There is so much work at the moment, especially in London,” he said.

The move to expand the division comes despite a problem with resources in the sector as people with expertise approach retirement age.