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Monday 9 Feb 2026

Network Rail's apprentices across the south of England power the future of Britain's railway

Region & Route:

Southern: Wessex

| Southern

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

As National Apprenticeship Week gets underway, Network Rail is sharing the stories of apprentices from across the country, highlighting the different routes into railway careers and the hands-on experience they gain while working on the network.

Apprentices play a vital role in maintaining and modernising the railway. This year, across the south of England, Network Rail are taking on 58 new apprentices across four different disciplines; track, signalling, telecoms and distribution and plant.

In the past year across the country, Network Rail has welcomed just under 300 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.

The apprentice becomes the master

Harry Wilkinson joined Network Rail as an apprentice in 2019, aged 24 and, after completing his apprenticeship, is now Section Supervisor for the Salisbury area.

A section supervisor is responsible for planning and delivering the maintenance in their area as well as reacting to incidents and will also step in the cover the section manager when they’re on leave.

Harry, who spent five years in the Army before making the career change to the railway, was drawn to it on advice from a friend and felt that the skills he’d learn were vital.

He said: “I was in the military beforehand so I did about five years in the army and then had a gap to go travelling for six months. I was always aware I was going to have to start from scratch and retrain and build my career up from there. My friend had a similar experience on an apprenticeship at National Grid. He suggested I applied for both. I was always someone who worked with an outdoor mindset. I read up on both Network Rail’s apprenticeship. The Network Rail apprenticeship looked mega. I was looking up where I was going to go and stay. It was really well presented so I was excited to see where it took me.”

Choosing to specialise in track work, Harry developed his skills as an apprentice before becoming supervisor in Salisbury in 2024.

Harry explained: “I found I really enjoyed it and the apprenticeship scheme was really good. There’s a lot expected of you when you pass and I took that responsibility seriously. That, combined with my military background of the basics; punctuality, leadership, communication and being able to crack on stood me in good stead when I passed. It’s gone from strength to strength and been positive ever since. The railway rewards those who work hard. If you work hard and get on with it and do the right thing and produce results, there are a lot of opportunities open to you.”

Having been the apprentice, Harry has now become the master with two apprentices on his team in Salisbury and he is passing on the lessons he learned to the next generation.

He said: “We’ve got one who is about to finish and another one who is a year into it. Having been through the scheme myself, they come to me for help and guidance in terms of their assignments. I know before they even ask what they should be doing because it’s pretty much what I did. I tailor them and the work they do to be able to pass successfully. I’ll take them out on supervisor inspections and teach him what he should be looking for, how to fill in the paperwork etc. and develop him that way. As they have to write about it and pass certain tasks and competencies, they needed to be guided that way.”

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.

On the South Western Railway network, 14 apprentices will be brought in for track based roles across the region, while five will be working in signalling, three will be specialising in telecoms with one focusing on distribution and plant in Eastleigh.

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

Notes to Editors

Meet Network Rail apprentices during National Apprenticeship Week

As part of National Apprenticeship Week 2026, Network Rail will be hosting a series of events across the country, giving members of the public, colleagues and aspiring apprentices the opportunity to meet apprentices, hear about their experiences, and learn more about the wide range of careers available across the railway.

They will be at London Waterloo station on Monday 9 February.

South Bank University events: Thursday 12 February

• Morning session (10:00–12:00) – open to colleagues and external guests (over 18 years old)
  Hear from apprentices, alumni and partners about their journeys and how organisations use apprenticeships to drive growth and opportunity.
  Registration required.