Published on: Monday, 6 March 2017
Last updated: Wednesday, 3 January 2018
A group of apprentices are celebrating after completing their year-long apprenticeship scheme with local train operator Greater Anglia.
Last year, the operator launched a bespoke scheme for 18 to 24 year-old applicants not previously in employment, education or training which saw the new recruits work in various roles across the company’s customer service department while completing a Level 2 NVQ qualification.
More than 150 applied to join Greater Anglia’s apprenticeship scheme in 2016 and just 10 were selected. Over the past year, the apprentices have worked in various departments including ticket office, train dispatch, and catering.
The group celebrated the completion of their year-long apprenticeships at a ceremony at Norwich City Football Club on Friday 3 March.
Apprentice Harry Beaumont said: “Since joining Greater Anglia my confidence has increased vastly. I have also gained a huge amount of experience in a variety of areas within the railway and hope to continue my career with Greater Anglia. I enjoy helping people so having a job that is both hands on and allows me to help people is incredibly rewarding. One of my highlights of the apprenticeship was going to Stratford to the academy and being trained in dispatch and the ticket office.”
Apprentice Charlie Talbot said: “Throughout the apprenticeship I have had the opportunity to meet so many people. From the small local stations such as Bury St. Edmunds to the main hub stations, everybody has been ready to help and teach me what they know. It made me appreciate how well everybody has to work together to be such a cohesive company. Being surrounded by so many great individuals has helped me grow my confidence.”
During the current franchise, Greater Anglia will employ at least 20 trainees every year and create a minimum of 30 apprenticeships by 2019.
Andrew Goodrum, Greater Anglia’s Customer Service Director, said: “We would like to congratulate all of our apprentices who have completed the scheme. This customised apprenticeship includes a variety of roles and offers a range of transferrable skills. The railway is a great place to work with a wealth of opportunities and fantastic benefits, and we are very proud to have our superb team of apprentices.”