Media centre

Tuesday 10 Feb 2026

Network Rail apprentices powering the future of our railway

Region & Route:

Eastern

| Eastern: East Midlands

An apprentice with Network Rail encouraged others to sign up as she described combining her love of STEM* with a rewarding career in rail.

Network Rail is marking National Apprenticeship Week 2026 (9-15 February) by celebrating the apprentices who are developing the skills needed to maintain, improve and future-proof Britain’s railway.

Apprentices play a vital role in maintaining and modernising the railway. In the past year, Network Rail has welcomed 290 new joiners into its apprenticeship programmes. This forms part of the organisation’s wider commitment to developing skilled talent, with 1,780 apprentices recruited during the last five years.

Among the apprentices helping to shape the railway is Illaria Knibb, who joined Network Rail in October 2023 and is now a third-year engineering technician apprentice specialising in overhead line equipment.

The 24-year-old gained a degree in palaeontology but decided while at university to take a different career path. Coming from a non-engineering background, she has embraced the challenges of her role while developing technical skills and learning something new every day.

Illaria, from Kettering, said:

“I had been doing a lot of work with women in STEM, promoting women in industries that are male-dominated. When I looked into engineering apprenticeships, I saw Network Rail had a big push for women in rail and so it just felt like the right place for me.

“I’d tell anyone thinking about applying for a Network Rail apprenticeship to just go for it. I've had the best time, made some friends for life and have a career that I'm proud of. Network Rail really pushes you to be part of the team, so it makes you feel valued from the start.”

Illaria’s journey is featured in this short video, where she shares her experience of pursuing her Level 3 rail engineering technician qualification.

Through its wide range of apprenticeship schemes, Network Rail offers hands-on experience and long-term career development across engineering, business, IT, and finance. Apprentices earn while they learn, gaining the skills needed to support the safe and reliable operation of the railway and help connect communities across Britain.

Richard Turner, Network Rail’s head of apprenticeships, said:

“Apprentices play a vital role in keeping Britain’s railway running safely and reliably, and we’re proud to welcome nearly 300 new joiners this year across engineering, business, IT, and finance.

“Our programmes give people hands-on experience, the chance to earn while they learn, and the skills to build long-term careers. They also help us develop the next generation of STEM talent and create a diverse, future-ready workforce for the railway.”

As one of the UK’s top 100 apprenticeship employers, Network Rail continues to develop talented apprentices across the railway.

Take the first step towards an exciting career in rail at networkrail.co.uk/apprenticeships.