During National Apprenticeship Week from 7th to 13th February, Northern Trains encouraged Generation X, those born between 1965 and 1980, to consider applying for its apprenticeship scheme.

Roles available include train drivers and conductors and require no previous practical experience and provide a great opportunity for people of any age to try something completely new.

As the largest provider of apprentice opportunities in the rail industry, Northern employs almost 600 apprentices in roles such as conductors, drivers, engineering, and business administration. It recruits apprentices throughout the year, and currently has vacancies in engineering, business administration, control, and rostering teams.

Over the coming weeks, Northern is running a number of online recruitment events for its apprenticeship scheme, details for which can be found at http://www.northernrailway.co.uk/careers

Katy Bailey, 53, from Leeds is one of the latest apprentices to formally complete their training with Northern. She is a mother of four and former mental health worker, but is now a fully qualified conductor based at Leeds station. She says she loves her job and only wishes she’d found the railway earlier in her life.

Kate commented “Learning on the job from people with years of experience has really worked for me, and as an older apprentice I bring valuable skills from my previous jobs to this new career.

Tricia Williams, chief operating officer at Northern, said: “The days when being an apprentice meant you were someone just out of school or college are long gone. But that perception remains and it can be a barrier to more experience people who might otherwise be interested in those roles.

“Of course, anyone of any age is eligible to apply, but our message this National Apprenticeship Week is that those people who have already enjoyed a career doing something completely different shouldn’t dismiss these schemes as ‘not for them’.

“All manner of previous career experiences have transferable skills that the rail industry can benefit from. It’s a very exciting sector to work in and starting as an apprentice is a great way to get your foot in the door.”