Network Rail’s new Doncaster training hub is already shaping the next generation of railway talent, giving apprentices the hands-on skills required to maintain and modernise Britain’s rail network.

Sunday, 8 February marked 100 days since a public vote officially named the facility the Gresley Institute. Now fully renovated, the site is a state-of-the-art centre for training and development. 

Spread over two floors, the centre features 21 classrooms equipped with industry-standard technology, including signalling simulators and digital control systems, and scenario simulation rooms.

Once fully operational, the Gresley Institute is expected to train 1,000 railway professionals each year, paving the way for the future of railway engineering.

In the last year alone, 290 new starters have enrolled on Network Rail’s apprenticeship schemes, part of a wider 1,780 apprentices recruited over the last five years.

“I was looking for something new, like a new challenge in my career and this looked like a good opportunity to get into. Being here at the Doncaster Training Centre, with the group and seeing the progression we’re making, that’s been the best part of it. Having a set facility like this means you see the day-to-day rail activity but you have a separation for your studying. You haven’t got all the distractions that you would in some other buildings.”

Apprentice Lewis Adey, 30, from County Durham

“Apprentices play a vital role in keeping Britain’s railway running safely and reliably, and we’re proud to welcome nearly 300 new joiners this year across engineering, business, IT and finance.

“Our programmes give people hands-on experience, the chance to earn while they learn, and the skills to build long-term careers. They also help us develop the next generation of STEM* talent and create a diverse, future-ready workforce for the railway.”

Richard Turner, Network Rail’s Head of Apprenticeships.