Shaping tomorrows railway: EMR announces plans for pioneering apprenticeship pilot
- EMR to launch new GBR Rail Foundation Apprenticeship.
- Programme will be open to young people aged 17 to 25, providing the opportunity to gain practical workplace experience alongside structured learning.
- Participants will develop skills and knowledge across a wide number of industry areas.
East Midlands Railway (EMR), operated by Transport UK, is set to launch a pioneering apprenticeship pilot, creating a new entry route into the rail industry for young people and helping to develop the next generation of railway talent.
Working with industry partners including DfTO and Network Rail, EMR will pilot the new GBR Rail Foundation Apprenticeship, with the first cohort due to start in January 2027.
The programme will be open to young people aged 17 to 25, providing the opportunity to gain practical workplace experience alongside structured learning and an introduction to the wide range of careers available across the railway.
Over the 12-month programme, participants will be supported by EMR to develop skills and knowledge across areas including railway operations, safety and security, customer service, performance, and health, wellbeing and resilience.
GBR Rail Foundation Apprenticeships are designed to combine workplace experience with off-the-job learning. EMR's pliot will help the apprentices develop employability skills, technical knowledge and workplace behaviours while gaining an understanding of what it means to work in the rail industry.
The programme will provide a broad foundation for a career in rail, with successful participants able to progress into further rail apprenticeships or permanent employment.
Neil Grabham, Interim Managing Director of East Midlands Railway, said: "We want to make a career in rail accessible to more young people and give them the opportunity to discover the wide range of careers available across our industry.
“This pilot is an exciting opportunity to combine meaningful, hands-on experience with structured learning, helping young people build confidence, develop valuable skills and understand what it means to work in the railway.
“We’re proud to be working with industry partners to develop this new pathway and look forward to welcoming our first cohort next year."
The programme will form part of EMR’s wider commitment to developing future talent and creating opportunities for people from a broad range of backgrounds.
It compliments EMR's exsisting apprenticeship programme which currently includes opportunities in areas such as train driving and passenger transport operations and will provide another route for young people looking to begin a career in the railway.