ScotRail has reached a significant milestone in its workforce development strategy, with 110 apprentices now building careers across the business following its largest-ever external apprenticeship recruitment campaign.
The publicly owned train operator welcomed 45 new apprentices in 2026, marking the biggest intake in the organisation’s history and reinforcing its commitment to creating a sustainable pipeline of rail talent for the future.
More than half of the latest recruits have joined engineering disciplines, while ScotRail has also expanded opportunities within customer service and continued investment in administration apprenticeships. The move reflects the operator’s long-term approach to workforce planning, ensuring it has the expertise required to support Scotland’s railway for years to come.
Since returning to public ownership in April 2022, apprenticeship growth has become a central part of ScotRail’s recruitment and skills strategy. The business now uses workforce data and forecasting models to identify future skills requirements, allowing apprenticeship recruitment to be aligned with anticipated operational demand.
The latest intake follows another strong year in 2025, when ScotRail created 46 apprenticeship opportunities. That programme saw 42 external recruits join the company, while four existing engineering employees began development apprenticeships to enhance their skills and progress their careers.
ScotRail’s apprenticeship scheme combines structured learning with practical workplace experience, providing apprentices with hands-on training supported by line managers, mentors and dedicated Workforce Development Officers.
Interest in rail careers remains exceptionally strong, with ScotRail regularly attracting between 1,800 and 2,000 applications for apprenticeship positions each year. The continued popularity of the programme highlights growing awareness of apprenticeships as a credible alternative to traditional academic pathways.
Alongside recruitment activity, ScotRail has significantly increased engagement with young people across Scotland. Over the past three years, the operator has connected with almost 20,000 young people through school and college visits, careers fairs, railway insight events, online engagement sessions, and partnerships with education and employability organisations.
These initiatives aim to improve understanding of the diverse career opportunities available across Scotland’s railway industry while demonstrating the long-term value of apprenticeships as a route into skilled employment.
The growing programme is also helping ScotRail broaden access to rail careers among groups traditionally underrepresented within the sector, particularly women pursuing careers in rail and engineering.
This expansion supports ScotRail’s commitments under the Public Sector Equality Duty, helping the operator create a more diverse and inclusive workforce through fair recruitment practices, expanded early-career opportunities, equitable progression pathways and targeted action to tackle workplace inequalities.
Beyond ScotRail’s own workforce ambitions, the programme also contributes to Scotland’s wider economic objectives by supporting youth employment, strengthening future skills, improving social mobility and helping to deliver sustainable economic growth.
ScotRail HR Director Julie Dale said:
“Having 110 apprentices now developing their careers across ScotRail is a significant milestone, but it hasn’t happened overnight. It reflects a long-term commitment to investing in early careers and developing the skills Scotland’s Railway will need for the future.
“Our apprentices are an important part of our workforce. They bring new ideas, energy, and perspectives into the business, while gaining the skills and experience that can lead to rewarding, long-term careers on the railway.
“We know our workforce will change significantly in the years ahead, so creating a strong pipeline of talent is essential. Our apprenticeship programme allows us to plan for future skills needs while passing knowledge and experience on to the next generation.
“It also gives us an opportunity to make a wider difference. By creating high-quality routes into employment and working with schools, colleges, communities, and employability partners across Scotland, we can help more young people access opportunities, develop valuable skills, and build sustainable careers.
“That benefits ScotRail, but it also supports the wider ambition of developing the skilled and diverse workforce Scotland needs for the future.”
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