Great Western Railway Celebrates Platinum Standard During National Apprenticeship Week

Great Western Railway has extra reason to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week after becoming the UK’s first train operator to achieve platinum standard for its apprentice programme.

Minister for Skills, Baroness Jacqui Smith, was at London Paddington last night to present the accolade as part of the Investors in People ‘We invest in apprentices’ accreditation.

The team, which supervises more than 300 apprentices across the GWR network, has been working towards platinum status ever since receiving gold in 2023.

Baroness Smith said:

"Great Western Railway's platinum accreditation is a fantastic achievement and a testament to its commitment to developing the skilled workforce our railways need for the future.

"This government is focused on breaking down barriers to opportunity, and apprenticeships are at the heart of that mission. GWR is leading by example, showing what can be achieved when employers invest in training and nurturing talent.

"I congratulate everyone involved in this programme – from the dedicated team who support these apprentices to the apprentices themselves, who are building rewarding careers while gaining the skills our economy needs to grow."

GWR Human Resources Director, Ashley Bray, said:

“This is an outstanding achievement. No other train operating company has reached platinum and only around 3.5% of organisations across all industries achieve this level.

“The apprentices coming through our programmes are exceptional, and this recognition reflects the quality, commitment and impact of the work being done.

“We’re creating real opportunities for diverse young people from our local communities – and we’re doing it extremely well.”

Working in partnership with Exeter College, the train operator launched a vocational apprenticeship programme in 2016.

Quest apprenticeships were also introduced in 2020, enabling GWR colleagues to gain formal qualifications alongside their day-to-day roles.

Investors in People conducted an extensive assessment of GWR’s apprenticeship programmes between June and November last year.

GWR Learning and Development Manager, Andrew Perry, said:

“I’ve been on the journey right from the launch of our first apprenticeships in 2011, so to become the first train operator in the country to reach platinum status is an incredibly proud achievement.

“We started with 15 apprentices and now we’re offering more than 17 different programmes right across the network, so it’s fair to say we’ve come an awful long way. We take an enormous amount of pleasure in helping to nurture the talent for the railway of tomorrow.”

Investors in People CEO, Paul Devoy, said:

“We’d like to congratulate Great Western Railway. Being accredited with ‘We invest in apprentices’ is a remarkable effort for any organisation, and places GWR in fine company with a host of organisations that understand the value of delivering high-quality apprenticeships.”

During National Apprenticeship Week, which runs until Sunday 15 February, GWR has held a series of recruitment events at stations, offering advice to customers and answering questions.

GWR is currently recruiting for its next intake of apprentices. For more information click here.

CASE STUDIES

Caio Alvino Camara: Customer Service Apprentice to Train Manager based at Reading

“Every six weeks during my apprenticeship I rotated into a different role, which kept things exciting and constantly challenging. The apprenticeship led straight into a conductor role at Reading. After just seven months, I upskilled to Train Manager, responsible for the safe dispatch of Intercity Express Trains. If you enjoy a challenge, like learning by doing, and want to be paid while you train, seriously consider a GWR apprenticeship. I couldn’t recommend it enough. I honestly don’t know where I’d be without it.”

Katie Knight: Aspire Management Apprentice to Duty Station Manager based at Swindon and Bristol Parkway

“I wanted to further my career and develop my leadership skills, and the GWR Aspire Management Apprenticeship offered the right mix of hands-on experience, learning and support. It gave me the tools, experience and confidence to take the next step while continuing to work within the railway. The biggest challenge was going back into education after being out of it for so long. I pushed past this by staying committed, asking for help when needed, and gradually building my confidence through the support available to me. Be fully committed, be open to learning, and take on advice from those around you. The more you put into the apprenticeship, the more you’ll get out of it.”

Ash Bere: Customer Service Apprentice to Revenue Protection Inspector based at Taunton

“My first job was in customer service, which I really enjoyed. I have always been interested in the railway, so I wanted a career that combined both. When I saw that GWR offered apprenticeships, it felt like the perfect opportunity. Meeting my fellow apprentices really helped – everyone was in the same position and very supportive. With the training and daily support from colleagues, my confidence grew quickly. I now work as a Revenue Protection Inspector, checking tickets across stations and trains and helping protect the railway from fare evasion. There are so many different roles in rail – there’s something for everyone. Go for it. You’ll make great friends, gain real skills and open the door to a long-term career.”

Niamh Upton: Customer Service Apprentice to Customer Services and Retail Trainer

“I knew at 16 I didn’t want to be in a college setting, and I was looking for something where I could learn on the ‘job’ and give myself that first-hand experience. With a Customer Service Apprenticeship, we were assigned to various areas of the business. I gained an NVQ in customer service, a certificate in railway operations and customer service, and a gold award in the Duke of Edinburgh. I’m now helping to deliver ticketing training to colleagues who are new to the business or transitioning into new roles. To any new apprentices, I’d say enjoy every moment, ask questions, and take every opportunity to gain experience.”

Louis Necker: Customer Service Apprentice to Service Delivery Assistant at Swindon

“I’ve been interested in the railway since a young age and was keen to learn about all the different roles available within the industry. I worked at the ticket gateline, ticket office, onboard revenue and then later in station operations and as a customer host, always with a buddy to support me along the way. I moved from Cornwall to Swindon on my own at 18, having to get to grips with having my first job as well as getting used to living on my own. I pushed past it by creating a routine to allow me to have a good work-life balance. If you want to carry on learning while you start earning, you could not choose a better route.  I now work as a dispatcher and hope this is the start of a long career with GWR.”