Seventeen new apprentices have started three-year training programmes on the Wales route.
The apprentices are part of a 200-strong Network Rail cohort who will train at HMS Sultan – Europe’s largest engineering training facility at Gosport in Hampshire.
They will spend a year there, starting in September, and will continue their training back in their ‘home depots’ within the Wales route.
Mark Langman, route managing director, Wales, said: “I am delighted to be able to offer 17 young local people the opportunity to join the rail industry in what is an extremely exciting time for the railways here in Wales.
“We are very keen to offer employment opportunities to local people within our route and are committed to an ongoing investment in young talent as the railways across Wales grow.
“Over the next 10 years the Wales route will see huge investment and significant change including the electrification to Cardiff, Swansea and the Valley lines. The recruitment of these apprentices will play a big part in making this happen and planning for maintaining the future modernised railway.”
As part of the programme, all 200 Network Rail apprentices from across Great Britain will attend the Ffestiniog Railway and Welsh Highland Railway to work during the winter’s work maintenance programme.
