With this week, 5th to 11th February being National Apprenticeship Week 2024, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) is highlighting nine apprentices from its Traction and Rolling Stock and Lineside Conservation Team.

National Apprenticeship Week 2024 has “Skills for Life” as its theme, which the railway is well equipped to provide.

The railway’s apprenticeship programme combines both theory and hands-on experience. Apprentices attend college one day a week at Middlesbrough College TTE, doing level 3 Engineering Maintenance.

They spend four days a week at the railway where they put their knowledge into practice, working alongside staff learning the tricks of the trade.

There are currently four traction and rolling stock apprentices based at the Motive Power Department. These are Jacob Swinburn in his second-year training to be a steamfitter, Cameron Ross in his second year training to be a machinist, and first year apprentice Charlie Bauckham in the boiler and fabrication department.

Beau Horrigan is in his first year training to be a coach fitter with the Carriage & Wagon Department

Further information about the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and its apprenticeship programme can be found by clicking here.

Since September 2019, the Lineside conservation team has worked with the North York Moors National Park to fund 12 Countryside Worker Apprentices on a two-year course through the National Lottery Heritage Fund Project’s Yorkshire’s Magnificent Journey.

Nick Simpson, the railway’s Motive Power Department Manager said, “Apprenticeships at the NYMR are an incredible opportunity for anyone willing to get stuck in. With the right enthusiasm and willingness to learn, you can really progress into a fantastic career here.

“I’m proof of that, alongside the eight other members of our staff in the department that all did our apprenticeship here and are still working full time. I know how beneficial this opportunity can be for young people which is why I’ve worked with over 20 apprentices at the NYMR and try to take on at least two new apprentices each year.”

First year apprentice Charlie Bauckham said, “It’s great, I wouldn’t like to do anything else now. The best bit is getting inside the engines and finding out how they work. Getting to know the team and the social aspect of making friends is also as good as getting my hands dirty.”

Kerry Fieldhouse, Lineside Conservation & Sustainability Manager, said, “The apprentices have the unique opportunity to learn traditional countryside management and nature conservation skills in the National Park and on a working heritage railway. Conservation is one of our key charitable objectives and managing our lineside to protect and enhance biodiversity, is a key function. The partnership with the apprentices compliments our NYMR Lineside Conservation Volunteers and ensures we are part of landscape scale conservation initiatives.”

Countryside Worker Apprentice Xander Pearson said, “During my Level 2 apprenticeship I learned countless new countryside management skills and my self-confidence has grown massively. I am now onto a Level 4 apprenticeship, providing me with a chance to step up in my career and prove my capabilities.”