The Talyllyn Railway has announced it has taken on its first ever apprentice in the railway’s history. Oscar Hutchinson, who lives in Abergynolwyn, has been taken on by the narrow gauge railway as an Apprentice Permanent Way Technician after he finished his exams at school.

Oscar is no stranger to the Talyllyn Railway, as he has been working once a week for the past two years at the Talyllyn Railway under the work placement with Careers Wales under their ‘Trac 11-24 Scheme’.

The programme aims to help to improve the career and life prospects of 11-24-year-olds in North Wales.

It is great to see the next generation coming into the railway to keep the railway alive for the next generation to enjoy.

The new apprentice was presented with a certificate of completion of the Work Placement by Sir Peter Hendy, who is Chairman at Network Rail, He was visiting the Talyllyn Railway as part of its Anything Goes event.

What did the officials say?

Speaking on behalf of the Railway, the Engineering Manager Chris Smith commented:

“Oscar has been a great asset during his placement with us, and purely based on his own merits we have been delighted to be able to offer him a 3 year apprenticeship on the Railway.  Oscar will be attending Dolgellau college from September undertaking a Level 2 course in Performing Engineering Operations, and then go onto a more railway focussed program.”

Oscar said:

“I’m so grateful to Careers Wales for setting up my work placement and for giving me so much help and advice. After being excluded from school, I really needed the direction and structure that they gave me; just to be told where I needed to be and when.”

“I love working at Talyllyn Railway. I’m a really hands-on person and I love being outdoors, so working on the tracks suits me so much better than being in school. I can’t wait to start a proper apprenticeship in September.”

Tony Williams, business engagement adviser for Careers Wales, said:

“Oscar has been one of our most successful placement students, and we are delighted that the scheme has enabled him to start full time as an apprentice at Talyllyn Railway. We’re pleased to have been able to help Oscar to find a job that he enjoys and reach his potential.”

Sir Peter Hendy commented:

“The skills that Oscar will learn as part of his apprenticeship at the Talyllyn, will give him a career for years to come.  I am delighted to see the Talyllyn taking on its first apprentice and I hope Network Rail, the Talyllyn’s big Railway cousin, can support Oscar in his career development along the way. What he learns on a little Railway is just as applicable on a big one.”

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