apprenticeship, Tina credits the programme with helping her reframe her experience, strengthen her leadership approach, and progress in her career.
“ It allowed me to rethink everything I thought I knew,” she said.“ It helped me organise my thoughts, understand my leadership style, and plan effectively— not just for myself but for my team. I probably didn’ t realise how much it would change the way I work until halfway through.”
Practical Skills, Real Progress
For David Card, an Operations Management Graduate at Network Rail, the Level 4 Passenger Transport Operations Manager apprenticeship has helped bridge the gap between academic learning and real-world operations.
“ I studied French and German at university,” he shared,“ so this was a totally different learning experience— but one that really grounded me in how the railway works. Each teaching block gave me something I could immediately reflect on and apply to my role. The apprenticeship has helped me track my development in a way I wouldn’ t have done otherwise.”
Bill Jeram, now Production Manager at Govia Thameslink Railway( GTR), came into rail from an aircraft engineering background and used his Level 4 apprenticeship to make the leap into management.
“ Apprenticeships teach you how to ask the right questions,” he said.“ They help you see the bigger picture, not just what’ s in front of you. I went from overalls to a suit, and that wouldn’ t have happened without this programme. It’ s structured, it’ s flexible, and it’ s totally changed how I approach the job— and how others see me, too.”
Not Just for School Leavers
Apprenticeships still carry the reputation of being for young starters— but CIRO’ s data and realworld experience tell a very different story.
“ Over 70 % of our apprentices are over the age of 25,” explained Sarah Vernon BSc( Hons) PGDip FCMI, Head of Apprenticeship Programmes at CIRO.
“ We work with people moving into leadership for the first time, as well as experienced professionals who want to sharpen their management skills or take their next career step. The journey is tailored, inclusive, and transformational.”
That inclusivity was key for Bill Jeram, who completed his apprenticeship while raising a young family.“ It doesn’ t matter how old you are— you can always learn. I’ ve got a two-year-old at home and a busy life, but this programme helped me change direction. And it wasn’ t just for me— my whole team benefits from what I’ ve learned.”
Strategic Benefits for Employers
Rail companies are increasingly viewing apprenticeships as more than just a training route— they’ re becoming a core part of workforce and succession planning strategies.
“ We’ re huge advocates,” said Alex Hooper, Apprenticeship Lead at East Midlands Railway( EMR).
“ We use apprenticeships from Level 2 to Level 7 across the business— from engineering to head office roles. They give people real hands-on experience, build confidence, and create clear progression pathways. And when we see people step up or sideways into new roles, that’ s a huge return on investment.”
Adam Smallwood, Apprenticeship Programme Manager at LNER, agreed:“ Apprenticeships support our strategic workforce planning. They help us develop the skills we’ ll need not just today, but in two or three years’ time. Plus, the rail-specific context of CIRO’ s programmes gives our people the confidence to apply their learning directly to their roles.”
The Journey Continues
At the Chartered Institution of Railway Operators, our apprenticeship programmes are designed not only to equip individuals with practical, realworld leadership skills, but to help rail companies build a succession-ready workforce. What sets CIRO apart is our focus on management and leadership development, delivered with deep rail contextualisation— giving apprentices the advantage of learning how to lead effectively within the unique operational realities of the rail industry.
Whether it’ s supporting early-career professionals like David Card and Rob Bowman, enabling midcareer progression for leaders like Tina Thompson MCIRO and Bill Jeram, or delivering long-term strategic value as outlined by Alex Hooper and Adam Smallwood, our apprenticeships develop confident, capable leaders who can meet the demands of a modern railway.
To explore how CIRO Apprenticeships can support your organisation’ s leadership pipeline, visit www. ciro. org / apprenticeships or contact Sarah Vernon at sarah @ railwayoperators. co. uk to start the conversation. www. ciro. org
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