During next month’s National Apprenticeship Week North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) will highlight the achievements of its apprentices.

The traction and rolling stock department currently has four apprentices, three in the Motive Power Department and one at the Carriage & Wagon department. All the apprentices are studying at Middlesbrough College TTE studying for doing level 3 Engineering Maintenance.

Jacob Swinburn is in his second year training to be a steamfitter, Cameron Ross is in his second year training to be a machinist, Charlie Bauckham is also in his second year training in the boiler and fabrication department, and Beau Horrigan is in his first year working training to be a coach fitter.

The Railway’s apprenticeship programme features both theory and hands-on experience, with apprentices attending college one day a week and then having the opportunity to put this theory into practice four days a week at the railway working alongside experienced teams on the ground.

National Apprenticeship Week 2024 is from 5th to 11th February, the theme being “Skills for Life” for which the railway is well-placed to provide apprentices with the skills in the two main areas of traction and rolling stock and lineside conservation.

Since September 2019, 12 Countryside Worker Apprentices from the Lineside conservation team have been funded on two-year course with North York Moors National Park , through the National Lottery Heritage Fund Project and Yorkshire’s Magnificent Journey.

Further information about the railway’s apprenticeship programme is online at https://www.nymr.co.uk/apprenticeship-schemes

Nick Simpson, Motive Power Department Manager at the NYMR 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.”

Charlie Bauckham, 1st year working currently in the boiler and fabrication department, 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.”

Xander Pearson, Level 4 Countryside Worker Apprentice, 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.”