Network Rail is using National Apprenticeship Week 2026 from Monday, 9th to Sunday, 15th February, to celebrate its apprentices who are learning the skills needed to maintain and upgrade Britain’s railway network.

With apprentices in its workforce across the country, Network Rail is highlighting the different routes some of them took into a career on the railway, and the experience they have gained. This year, Network Rail recruited 58 new apprentices across the south of England for training in track maintenance, signalling, telecommunications, and distribution and plant.

Over the last five years, Network Rail has recruited 1,780 apprentices, with just under 300 recruits during the last year. One apprentice is Harry Wilkinson, who joined Network Rail when he was aged 24. He has completed his apprenticeship and is now a Section Supervisor for the Salisbury area. In this role, he plans and is responsible for delivering maintenance in the Salisbury area. He also reacts to unexpected incidents and deputises when necessary for the section manager.

Richard Turner, Network Rail’s head of apprenticeships, commented that apprentices play a vital role in keeping Britain’s railway running safely and reliably. Network Rail’s programmes give people hands-on experience, the chance to earn while they learn, and the skills to build long-term careers.

Most train operators participate in National Apprenticeship Week, and in previous years, Northern and Greater Anglia have taken part.

“I was in the military beforehand, so I did about five years in the army and then had a gap to go travelling for six months. I was always aware I was going to have to start from scratch and retrain and build my career up from there. My friend had a similar experience on an apprenticeship at National Grid. He suggested I apply for both. I was always someone who worked with an outdoor mindset. I read up on both Network Rail’s apprenticeship. The Network Rail apprenticeship looked mega. I was looking up where I was going to go and stay. It was really well presented, so I was excited to see where it took me.”

Harry Wilkinson