Apprentice takeover at Great Western Railway

In support of National Apprentice Week, Great Western Railway has run Bristol Parkway Station for a day with current and former apprentices.

In total, 11 members of staff worked over a number of different roles including train dispatch; in ticket offices and on the gate line checking tickets and providing information to customers.

Apprentice schemes at GWR

This is part of GWR’s Opertaions Apprenticeship scheme, which started in 2011 and to date the company has trained over 90 people in front line operational roles. The company also has an Aspire Apprenticeship scheme which encourages people into management and a First Group Graduate training scheme.

A four-year Engineering Apprenticeship is also offered, developing the railway engineers of the future. So far over 60 engineers have been trained since 2001.

“Our need for skilled and innovative talent has never been so important, as the significant changes to our network draw ever nearer including electrification and new Intercity Express Trains,” GWR Learning and Development Manager Andrew Perry said. “Apprenticeships are at the very centre of our future recruitment plans. We see our apprenticeships as an opportunity to inspire future talent. Talent that knows what it’s here to do from day one, cares about it, feels part of our journey, and is proud of it, providing the opportunity to revalue rail.”

National Apprenticeship Week

National Apprenticeship Week (now in its tenth year), aims to bring together employers and apprentices from across England to celebrate the success of apprenticeships over the last decade and seeks to encourage even more people to choose apprenticeships as a fast-track to a great career.