Rail operator offers 250 new apprenticeships by 2022

Credit: Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR)

The number of apprenticeships on offer across rail firms Southern, Thameslink, Great Northern and Gatwick Express will increase by a quarter in 2022, with 250 programmes available across departments, including engineering, customer services, train driving, and administration.

The rail operator’s apprenticeship programme is open to people of all ages and backgrounds. Parent company Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) is seeking to reach as diverse a range of potential applicants as possible, and is working with partners including, Not Going To Uni, Socially Recruited, RMP Enterprise, The Association for BME Engineers and Springpod to attract interest from around the country to work across the Southern, Gatwick Express, Thameslink and Great Northern routes.

David Jackson, Apprenticeship Specialist at Govia Thameslink Railway, said: “As passenger numbers increase and the country gets back on track, we’re delighted to be able to offer even more fantastic apprenticeship opportunities to work in the innovative rail industry. Glowing testimonials from our successful apprentices – from this year’s (2021) cohort, as well as those who joined the railway as an apprentice and have since worked their way through the ranks – shows just how many doors a scheme like this can open.”

The rail company is currently on target to hire 200 apprentices before the end of 2021, with some schemes already open for applications.

Tom Jerome, Engineering Apprentice Development Manager, has been training apprentices since 2003 but joined the railway as an apprentice himself. “I started my engineering apprenticeship in 1993 at the age of 18. I was really interested in electrical and mechanical modifications; updating on-board systems and components so joined that team after my apprenticeship.

“Later, I stepped up to team leader and started to oversee projects. I have always been interested in training and development so later applied to become an Engineering Trainer, which also involved managing the Engineering Apprenticeship scheme. In 2015, the opportunity to manage the engineering apprentice programme came up; I jumped at the chance to extend this and support the next generation of railway engineers.”

Sydney Granger, 21, knew she didn’t want to go to university when she left school and was pleasantly surprised by all the options available. “I’m now one year into the Level 3 Apprenticeship and working full time at the Hornsey depot. I love the practical element to the course because it really helps expand my knowledge of units, tools and equipment that I’ll be using every day. I want people my age to realise that university isn’t the only option, there are so many possibilities when it comes to apprenticeships and I would love others to seriously consider it.”

Yvonne Baiden, 51, is currently in her second year of a Level 3 Rail Engineering Technician Apprenticeship. She commented: “I’m a full-time mum to three children, as well as being a grandparent. I don’t get much time to myself but I’m not letting that stop me working towards my career goals. Doing an apprenticeship at my age isn’t without its challenges, but I think if you get the chance to learn new skills you should just go for it! I would love to see more women realise the potential of engineering. It may seem like a man’s world but there’s so much opportunity, especially when it comes to engineering jobs in rail.”

Applications for 2022 Engineering Apprenticeships are now open.