To coincide with this week from today, Monday, the 10th until next Sunday, 16th February, being National Apprenticeship Week 2025, Britain’s railways have today announced a major apprentice recruit drive.

This year, the railway plans to recruit 2,000 apprentices, and continue at the same rate to at least 10,000 over the next five years.

Apprenticeships will be offered in a wide range of roles, and suitable for people from all backgrounds and ages.

Regardless of whether people are entering the workplace for the first time or looking for a change of career, there will be suitable roles on offer from employers across the UK and the railway industry.

These include Network Rail, train and freight operators, manufacturers, and the rail supply chain.

The roles available are wide-ranging, from engineering to finance, train driving to sustainability, and IT to human resources, customer service and operations.

Railway apprenticeships are suitable for all ages, including young people and adult learners, and combine on-the-job learning with study.

In its pursuit of being more representative of the society it serves, the railway is looking to attract more women, people from ethnic minorities, and those with neurodiversity.

The recruitment and training drive will help to deliver a more digitally driven, sustainable railway and champion the next generation of colleagues in rail, helping to develop vital new skills within the industry.

Apprenticeships on the railway are often in roles where there are skills shortages and are recognised around the world.

This year is the 200th anniversary of the modern railway, which is being spearheaded by the Railway 200 campaign as a year-long programme that seeks to attract the next generation of pioneering talent.
Anyone considering a career in the railway industry can find out more about available apprenticeships via the Routes into Rail website, on the Network Rail website, or from individual train operating companies.

Ahead of National Apprenticeship Week, train operator Northern announced plans to recruit apprenticeships at five centres across northern England, and to celebrate last year’s National Apprenticeship Week announced it would be recruiting over 400 apprenticeships in 2024.

“Apprenticeships provide a fantastic opportunity for people to start their careers in a variety of roles in rail. The rail industry plays a vital role in connecting communities and supporting the economy, and we need a diverse range of skills and perspectives to create the workforce of the future. As we celebrate the railway’s rich heritage, we’re looking to the future, investing in our people to help us deliver the high-quality, innovative service that passengers expect.”

Jacqueline Starr, Chief Executive Officer of Rail Delivery Group