East Midlands Railway (EMR) is set to launch a pioneering new apprenticeship programme aimed at creating a fresh entry route into the railway industry and helping develop the next generation of rail talent.
Operated by Transport UK, EMR will pilot the new GBR Rail Foundation Apprenticeship in partnership with the Department for Transport Operator (DfTO) and Network Rail. The first cohort of apprentices is expected to begin in January 2027.
The 12-month programme will be open to young people aged between 17 and 25 and is designed to provide practical workplace experience alongside structured learning. Participants will gain exposure to the wide variety of career opportunities available across the railway sector while developing core industry knowledge and employability skills.
Throughout the programme, apprentices will receive training and support across key areas including railway operations, safety and security, customer service, performance management, and health, wellbeing and resilience.
The GBR Rail Foundation Apprenticeship has been developed to combine hands-on workplace experience with off-the-job learning. EMR's pilot scheme will help participants build technical knowledge, workplace behaviours and career-ready skills, while gaining a comprehensive understanding of working within the rail industry.
Successful apprentices will be well-positioned to progress into further rail apprenticeships or secure permanent employment opportunities within the sector.
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 initiative forms part of EMR's wider commitment to attracting and developing future talent while creating opportunities for people from a diverse range of backgrounds.
It will complement the operator's existing apprenticeship offering, which includes programmes in areas such as train driving and passenger transport operations, providing another valuable pathway into a long-term railway career.
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