What It's Really Like to Be a Railway Apprentice at Great Western Railway: Daisy's Story

Meet Daisy

Daisy is a Great Western Railway apprentice who rotates across station locations and departments including ticket offices and Revenue Protection. She has represented GWR at Westminster and at Executive Board meetings, completed the Business Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award, and attended development workshops covering communication, time management, and disability awareness. She describes the programme as building her confidence and resilience from day one.

What have you enjoyed most about your apprenticeship at GWR?

One of the things I’ve enjoyed most is travelling across the GWR network in my green uniform, visiting different stations and working alongside colleagues from a variety of teams. Although I was nervous when I first started, everyone has been incredibly welcoming, friendly and supportive. From day one, I’ve felt part of the GWR family.

What has been the highlight of your apprenticeship so far?

There have been so many memorable moments, from spending time with fellow apprentices at college to starting new rotations and putting my training into practice by operating ticket machines independently. However, one standout highlight was being invited to attend a launch event at Westminster. It was an amazing opportunity, and I felt incredibly proud to represent GWR.

What makes being an apprentice at GWR unique?

The opportunity to experience different rotations across the business is what makes the apprenticeship so unique. It allows you to discover the roles you enjoy most while building valuable skills and confidence. Along the way, you also develop a strong network of colleagues who genuinely want to see you succeed. By the end of the programme, you’ve built a fantastic foundation for your future career with GWR.

What have you learned during your apprenticeship that has surprised you the most?

The biggest surprise has been discovering my own resilience and determination. As part of the apprenticeship, we complete the Business Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award, which has challenged me in ways I never expected. A year ago, I would never have imagined taking part in DofE, but now I’m training, building my confidence and looking forward to completing my final expedition.

How has your apprenticeship helped you develop both personally and professionally?

The apprenticeship has helped me grow in confidence both inside and outside of work. Being invited to attend events and meetings has given me a real sense of achievement and encouraged me to push myself further. Professionally, I’ve developed the confidence to take on new challenges and can genuinely see a long-term future with GWR, where I can continue to learn and progress.

What new skills have you gained since joining GWR?

The apprenticeship includes a range of development workshops that have helped me build valuable workplace skills. These have included:

• Effective communication
• Time management
• Understanding unseen disabilities
• Mobile device training

These sessions have helped me organise my workload, balance college assignments, volunteering and DofE commitments, while developing the confidence to work independently and manage my time effectively.

How has working across different teams helped you understand the railway industry?

Working across different teams has given me a much broader understanding of how the railway operates. For example, the knowledge I gained in the ticket office has helped me confidently support customers during my Revenue Protection rotation. Experiencing different roles has given me a well-rounded understanding of the business and strengthened my problem-solving skills.

What opportunities have you had to experience different roles within GWR?

Alongside my station rotations, I’ve had the opportunity to represent apprentices at an Executive Board meeting, where we discussed how GWR can better support young people starting their careers in the railway. It was a fantastic opportunity to gain insight into the strategic side of the business and contribute ideas that could make a positive difference for future apprentices.

How has your apprenticeship given you insight into the variety of careers available at GWR?

One of the best ways I’ve learned about different careers has simply been through talking to colleagues across the network. Travelling in uniform naturally starts conversations, and I’ve had some really interesting discussions with people working in a wide range of roles. Hearing about their career journeys has shown me just how many opportunities there are to build a rewarding career with GWR.

What has it been like working with colleagues across GWR?

Working with colleagues across GWR has been one of the most rewarding parts of my apprenticeship. I’ve met current and former apprentices who have shared valuable advice and helped me feel more prepared for each new rotation. I’ve also built a great relationship with my mentor, who has been an incredible source of guidance and encouragement. The apprenticeship has allowed me to build lasting connections with colleagues across the business.

How have your managers and colleagues supported you throughout your apprenticeship?

The apprenticeship includes a variety of responsibilities, from college work and DofE to learning new roles on each rotation, so it can feel challenging at times. My managers, mentors, buddies and the apprenticeship team have been there every step of the way, providing support, breaking tasks into manageable steps and encouraging me to become more independent. Their guidance has given me the confidence and skills I’ll continue to use throughout my career.

What do you enjoy most about the people and culture at GWR?

The people are what make GWR such a great place to work. Everyone is welcoming, supportive and always willing to help, no matter where you are across the network. I’ve made some fantastic friendships and learned so much from colleagues, mentors and the apprenticeship team. It genuinely feels like being part of a family, and it’s a place where I look forward to coming to work every day.