Overview
- Great Western Railway was named among the Government’s Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers on Saturday, July 18, 2026, recognising its apprenticeship provision at a national level.
- Earlier in 2026 GWR became the first UK train operator to gain Platinum status under Investors in People’s 'We Invest in Apprentices' accreditation, an independent signal of programme quality.
- The company traces its scheme to 2011 when it took on 15 apprentices and has since grown to offer more than 17 programmes that now support over 300 apprentices.
- GWR runs vocational apprenticeships with partners such as Exeter College and introduced Quest apprenticeships in 2020 to help existing staff gain recognised qualifications, and its internal awards highlight individual success stories such as Sophie Carter’s apprentice-led train project praised by the Secretary of State for Transport.
- The Top 100 listing is selected from roughly 70,000 English employers that deliver apprenticeships and could strengthen GWR’s recruitment, provide clear career pathways for local young people, and serve as a model for other rail firms looking to boost skills and retention.