Thinking about a career change, or looking for an opportunity to advance your skills in a meaningful industry? An apprenticeship could be your ticket into the rail industry.
It doesn’t matter if you’re early in your career journey, motivated to try something new, or interested in upskilling. Apprenticeship programs are a great way to learn while you earn and build a career with purpose.
Since 2018, Southeastern Railway has helped more than 800 people complete their apprenticeships, and 500 people are actively engaged in apprenticeship programs.
The organisation enables people from all backgrounds and identities to access and complete further education while working. Its apprenticeships are open to many different roles, offering development opportunities for all.
Most importantly, their programs are inclusive. They aren’t just for school leavers or early-career professionals. There are no upper age limits for apprenticeships (although some have minimum age requirements), and most have no specific entry requirements.
We caught up with Southeastern to understand what sets these programs apart and how they’re helping people establish new, exciting career pathways.
A rail employer with a track record of excellence
As one of the busiest commuter rail companies in the UK, Southeastern runs train services between London, Kent and East Sussex. At a glance, they:
- Operate more than 1,700 trains a day across 540 miles of track
- Serve 181 stations and manage 165 of them across south-east London, Kent and East Sussex
- Provided 135 million journeys in 2024
- Record over 400,000 entries and exits at London stations on the busiest days
- Run a fleet of 383 trains, including the UK’s fastest services – the 140mph Javelin trains from London St Pancras International
- Employ a team of more than 4,500 people, keeping nearly half a million passengers moving daily
They are also one of only three organisations in the UK to hold all three Investors in People (IiP) accreditations at ‘Gold’ standard, including: people, wellbeing, and apprentices.
Southeastern‘s commitment to apprenticeships hasn’t gone unnoticed. Over the years, they’ve built a strong reputation as a leader in workforce development, with several accolades to prove it. They are:
- Winner of the 2022 Male Apprentice of the Year Award.
- The first UK operator to complete Level 2 and 3 Train Driver apprenticeships.
- Named in the Top 100 Apprentice Employers list, four years running.
- Gold Award holder in the ‘5% Club’ two years in a row, by having more than 5% of their workforce in apprenticeship training.
Explore how Southeastern Railway supports career development through training and education resources, career coaching, mentoring and more.
Beyond these achievements, the real success lies in the stories of those who’ve built rewarding careers through the program.
How Khadiija turned a part-time role into a full-time passion
Khadiija Mohamed, now a Revenue Protection Officer for Southeastern at London Bridge, first discovered her passion for rail while working part-time with an agency during university.
“I started this role to supplement my income and university studies. Working in passenger assist, I enjoyed getting out and about throughout the network and quickly became a team leader. I loved the responsibility and the work itself, so I decided to leave university and work in rail full-time.”
She pursued a full-time career with Southeastern, where she completed an apprenticeship to build her skills and confidence in the role she wanted.
“I was really surprised at how manageable apprenticeship learning was to fit around my job. Everything we were doing in the apprenticeship, we were also doing on the job, so I could progress quickly and complete it during my working hours.”
Completing her apprenticeship not only gave her a job in the railway she wanted, in a role that suited her, but it also helped her grow as a person.
“It was an opportunity to explore things I wasn’t naturally good at, and gain the skills and confidence to improve in these areas.”
Khadiija’s story is just one example of how Southeastern’s apprenticeship programs are helping people achieve personal and professional development. It shows that, with the right organisation and structure, making a career change doesn’t mean sacrificing income.
“If you’re thinking about doing an apprenticeship, go for it! Why not? It’s a fantastic pathway for self-development, supercharging your career trajectory, and gaining an extra qualification during working hours.”
