Southeastern serves Kent, East Sussex as well as South-East London and is proud to reveal that they have 400 apprentices in training with them at present as they celebrate National Apprenticeship Week 2023. The rail operator has also revealed that it is looking to take on more apprentices from the areas it operates in.

With a massive 4,500 employees throughout its route, Southeastern sees apprenticeships as a vital cog in its wheel of maintaining a skilled workforce in areas such as train driving, onboard crew, engineering and support functions.

More than 350 apprentices have passed apprenticeships, another 400 are still in training and even more, are in the recruitment process. Southeastern wants to get more people to think about an apprenticeship as a fantastic way to achieve a rewarding career.

Southeastern has also seen 20 apprentices move on to management training programmes as well as 46 managers which have taken on further study to focus on specialist areas such as payroll and project management, some working towards degree level.

Moving forward, the rail operator is preparing for a recruitment drive later in 2023 and again wants to encourage people from all over its route to consider getting on board Southeastern which has won numerous awards for its apprenticeship programmes and also as an employer.

Southeastern has been noted as:

• ‘Top 100’ Apprentice Employer
• ‘Highly-rated’ by Investors in People for its apprentice framework
• A Financial Times Diversity Leader
• Top ‘Women in Rail’ Employer for 2020 and 2022

December 2022 also saw the rail operator achieve EY National Equality Standard Accreditation.

Steve White, Managing Director of Southeastern said: “86% of employers say apprenticeships have benefitted their business and I agree with them. Our apprentices enrich our business and give us the opportunity to continue to develop a workforce with the right skills to serve our customers. In return for committing to us, our apprentices earn money, get well-structured training and join an industry with a huge range of opportunities.

“10% of our workforce is now apprentices-in-training and they add enormous value to our business but we’re working hard to recruit more. Of the 400 apprentices we currently have in training 72 identify as women and 52 are BAME people. Whatever people’s current perception of rail, we want and need to recruit people, with the right skills, from a diverse range of backgrounds as well as ensuring our workforce reflects the communities we serve.

“So whether you’re from Battle, Brixton, Bromley South or anywhere in between, and you’re interested in an apprenticeship in rail, get in touch. We’d love to hear from you.”

Southeastern has an array of options available for apprentices and will see more added during the recruitment process later this year.

To find out more, please visit here or get in touch with [email protected]

Apprenticeship Case study: Risikat Anibaba

Risikat is an On-Board Manager and is very pleased with Southeastern’s complete training package following working for Heathrow Express ahead of moving companies.

Expecting a week-long refresher to familiarise herself with high-speed services, Risikat instead undertook a two-month-long course with guidance from an On-Board Manager instructor and explored 395 Javelin trains, safety, emergencies and commitment to passengers.

New recruits also make weekly logs on their tablet’s app which shows lists of achievements and reflections from their working shift. Following 12 months, an external assessor shadows recruits in order to make sure that training is being adhered to.

Risikat said: “At first, when I was told what I had to do, I wasn’t happy! I’d already been an OBM.

“Once I got into the training though, it opened my eyes. I could see the value of everything we were doing. It was so in-depth – and necessary.

“I got an insight into stations, routes, the importance of communication with customers, train formations, track safety and what we have to do in an emergency.

“Our job is about interacting with passengers, making sure they feel welcome.”

Southeastern also paid for lessons in maths and English for Risikat.

Riskiat added: “The whole training experience has been really good. I have been taught and then supported to pass. I can’t fault it one bit.”

Risikat is also a registered mental health nurse and works periodic shifts at Littlebrook Hospital, Dartford, supporting the rehabilitation of offenders back into the community.

“I enjoy helping people. I’m hoping that at some point I’ll be able to use my experience to help Southeastern support colleagues who are struggling.”