Ride the 'Apprentice Train' with Great Western Railway

The train was crewed, driven, dispatched and controlled by current and former GWR apprentices. Network Rail apprentice signallers controlled the train’s journey and Transport for Wales colleagues dispatched the train at Newport. 

 

 

The ‘Apprentice Train’ formed the 1015 service from London Paddington to Cardiff Central on Wednesday and featured more than 20 colleagues from GWR, TfW and Network Rail performing a variety of roles on the service.

The ‘Apprentice Train’ was masterminded by Molly Giffard, 20, from Swansea, an Aspire Operations Management Apprentice.  

 

 

Molly, pictured above, said: 

“We wanted to do something to promote the attainability that apprenticeships can give you. This is something that’s ‘real’ and shows that getting your dream job through an apprenticeship is possible. 

“We’re looking forward to welcoming people on board and helping to spread the word about the wealth of opportunities available through GWR apprenticeships.” 

Apprentices were on board the train handing out flyers and GWR goodies, as well as answering questions from passengers and those considering a career in the railway. 

 

 

GWR supervises more than 240 apprentices across 2,000 miles of the network and last year received golden recognition as part of the Investors In People ‘We invest in apprentices’ programme. 

GWR Learning and Development Manager Andrew Perry said: 

“National Apprenticeship Week gives us a great opportunity to promote the different opportunities available at GWR and it’s wonderful to see some of our apprentices showing their initiative and taking the lead on the ‘Apprentice Train’.” 

MEET SOME OF THE ‘APPRENTICE TRAIN’ TEAM
Apprentice Train role	Name	Age	Based	Current role	Previous role	Time at GWR
Event organiser	Molly Giffard	20	Swansea	Aspire Operations Management Apprentice	Customer Host	1 year
National Apprenticeship Week Manager	Thomas Hicks	26	Exeter St Davids	Aspire Operations Management Apprentice	Conductor	9 years
Leading Train Service Delivery Performance Call	Alphonse Primera	-	Reading	Aspire Operations Management Apprentice	Service Delivery Assistant	5 years
Train driver	Dan Whitford	40	Bristol Parkway	Train driver	Coach and Mentor. Apprentice Train Driver	10 years
Guard	Drew Torio	33	Paddington	Aspire Operations Management Apprentice	Train Manager	6 years
First Class Trolley Service	Katie Ellis	30	Cardiff	Customer Host	Customer Service Apprentice	9 years
Standard Class Trolley	Tom Blanplain	19	Swindon	Customer Host	Customer Service Apprentice. Gateline Assistant	3 years

 

Rob Cairns, Interim Regional Managing Director, Network Rail, said: 

“The Apprentice Train is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the diverse range of jobs available in the rail industry and shine a light on some of the incredible people we have working as part of our railway family. 

“Apprenticeships offer a rewarding, hands-on experience with plenty of routes for career progression. We have apprentices working right across Wales and Western in different capacities and would encourage anyone who is considering a career in the railway to look into the opportunities available this National Apprenticeship Week. You too could be part of running a journey like this in future!” 

Find out more about GWR's apprenticeship programmes here.