Meet Daisy Lou
What have you enjoyed most about your apprenticeship at GWR?
One of the things I’ve enjoyed most is travelling across the GWR network in my green uniform, visiting different stations and working alongside colleagues from a variety of teams. Although I was nervous when I first started, everyone has been incredibly welcoming, friendly and supportive. From day one, I’ve felt part of the GWR family.
What has been the highlight of your apprenticeship so far?
There have been so many memorable moments, from spending time with fellow apprentices at college to starting new rotations and putting my training into practice by operating ticket machines independently. However, one standout highlight was being invited to attend a launch event at Westminster. It was an amazing opportunity, and I felt incredibly proud to represent GWR.
What makes being an apprentice at GWR unique?
The opportunity to experience different rotations across the business is what makes the apprenticeship so unique. It allows you to discover the roles you enjoy most while building valuable skills and confidence. Along the way, you also develop a strong network of colleagues who genuinely want to see you succeed. By the end of the programme, you’ve built a fantastic foundation for your future career with GWR.
What have you learned during your apprenticeship that has surprised you the most?
The biggest surprise has been discovering my own resilience and determination. As part of the apprenticeship, we complete the Business Gold Duke of Edinburgh's Award, which has challenged me in ways I never expected. A year ago, I would never have imagined taking part in DofE, but now I’m training, building my confidence and looking forward to completing my final expedition.
How has your apprenticeship helped you develop both personally and professionally?
The apprenticeship has helped me grow in confidence both inside and outside of work. Being invited to attend events and meetings has given me a real sense of achievement and encouraged me to push myself further. Professionally, I’ve developed the confidence to take on new challenges and can genuinely see a long-term future with GWR, where I can continue to learn and progress.
What new skills have you gained since joining GWR?
The apprenticeship includes a range of development workshops that have helped me build valuable workplace skills. These have included:
- Effective communication
- Time management
- Understanding unseen disabilities
- Mobile device training
These sessions have helped me organise my workload, balance college assignments, volunteering and DofE commitments, while developing the confidence to work independently and manage my time effectively.
How has working across different teams helped you understand the railway industry?
Working across different teams has given me a much broader understanding of how the railway operates. For example, the knowledge I gained in the ticket office has helped me confidently support customers during my Revenue Protection rotation. Experiencing different roles has given me a well-rounded understanding of the business and strengthened my problem-solving skills.
What opportunities have you had to experience different roles within GWR?
Alongside my station rotations, I’ve had the opportunity to represent apprentices at an Executive Board meeting, where we discussed how GWR can better support young people starting their careers in the railway. It was a fantastic opportunity to gain insight into the strategic side of the business and contribute ideas that could make a positive difference for future apprentices.
How has your apprenticeship given you insight into the variety of careers available at GWR?
One of the best ways I’ve learned about different careers has simply been through talking to colleagues across the network. Travelling in uniform naturally starts conversations, and I’ve had some really interesting discussions with people working in a wide range of roles. Hearing about their career journeys has shown me just how many opportunities there are to build a rewarding career with GWR.
What has it been like working with colleagues across GWR?
Working with colleagues across GWR has been one of the most rewarding parts of my apprenticeship. I’ve met current and former apprentices who have shared valuable advice and helped me feel more prepared for each new rotation. I’ve also built a great relationship with my mentor, who has been an incredible source of guidance and encouragement. The apprenticeship has allowed me to build lasting connections with colleagues across the business.
How have your managers and colleagues supported you throughout your apprenticeship?
The apprenticeship includes a variety of responsibilities, from college work and DofE to learning new roles on each rotation, so it can feel challenging at times. My managers, mentors, buddies and the apprenticeship team have been there every step of the way, providing support, breaking tasks into manageable steps and encouraging me to become more independent. Their guidance has given me the confidence and skills I’ll continue to use throughout my career.
What do you enjoy most about the people and culture at GWR?
The people are what make GWR such a great place to work. Everyone is welcoming, supportive and always willing to help, no matter where you are across the network. I’ve made some fantastic friendships and learned so much from colleagues, mentors and the apprenticeship team. It genuinely feels like being part of a family, and it’s a place where I look forward to coming to work every day.
Meet Michael Potter
What have you enjoyed most about your apprenticeship at GWR?
The thing I’ve enjoyed most is getting a hands-on understanding of how the railway really operates. It’s been fascinating to see what goes on behind the scenes and to speak with colleagues from all areas of the business, learning more about the different roles that keep the railway moving every day.
What has been the highlight of your apprenticeship so far?
My biggest highlight so far has to be meeting Princess Anne on my very first day working on the gateline at Swindon. It was an unforgettable experience and certainly not something I expected on my first day!
What makes being an apprentice at GWR unique?
Being an apprentice at GWR gives you the unique opportunity to experience a wide range of roles across the business. You get to explore different departments and gain a real understanding of how the company operates, which helps you discover where your interests and strengths lie.
What have you learned during your apprenticeship that has surprised you the most?
One of the biggest surprises has been just how many different career opportunities there are within GWR. There really is a role for everyone, whether you enjoy working with customers, operating trains or working behind the scenes.
How has your apprenticeship helped you develop both personally and professionally?
Personally, the apprenticeship has helped me become more disciplined and aware of the importance of maintaining a good work-life balance, including getting enough sleep—especially when working early shifts.
Professionally, it has helped me develop my communication skills and taught me how to speak to customers in a calm, professional manner, particularly during times of disruption when providing reassurance and support is so important.
What new skills have you gained since joining GWR?
Since joining GWR, I’ve developed a number of valuable skills, including:
- Professional communication and customer service
- Effective time management
- Problem-solving and decision-making during disruption
- Confidence in supporting passengers in a range of situations
How has working across different teams helped you understand the railway industry?
Working across different teams has given me a much greater understanding of how the railway operates. It’s also been really interesting to see the different ways people work and learn from colleagues who each bring their own experiences and perspectives to the job.
What opportunities have you had to experience different roles within GWR?
Through the apprenticeship, I’ve had the opportunity to experience a variety of roles across the business. Working on the gateline has shown me what it’s like to be one of the first people passengers see when they begin their journey, while also giving me the chance to meet colleagues from across the network and learn about their roles.
I’ve also gained experience working in a ticket office during a heatwave and spent time learning how Revenue Protection teams operate on board our trains.
In addition, I took part in an aviation experience day through college, which included a tour of an aircraft engineer's hangar, performing a trolley service in a mock cabin and even trying out an emergency evacuation slide.
How has your apprenticeship given you insight into the variety of careers available at GWR?
The apprenticeship has provided me with a fantastic insight into the wide variety of careers available at GWR. From safety-critical roles such as Driver, Train Manager and Dispatcher, to customer-facing positions in stations and ticket offices, and even corporate roles behind the scenes, there are so many different career paths to explore.
What has it been like working with colleagues across GWR?
Working with colleagues across the network has been a great experience. Everyone has their own way of working, and it’s been really valuable learning from different people and seeing the many ways the railway operates. It has given me a broader understanding of the business and helped me develop my own approach to the role.
How have your managers and colleagues supported you throughout your apprenticeship?
My managers and colleagues have been incredibly supportive throughout the apprenticeship. They’ve helped me gain a genuine understanding of how the railway works and have always been willing to share their knowledge and provide guidance on areas where I can continue to develop and progress.
Meet Lucas Smith
What have you enjoyed most about your apprenticeship at GWR?
The part I’ve enjoyed most so far has been working on the gateline at Swindon station. It’s a great team, and you get plenty of opportunities to help passengers and make a positive first impression, as you’re often the first person customers see when they begin their journey.
What has been the highlight of your apprenticeship so far?
One of the highlights of my apprenticeship has been my first day on my Revenue Protection rotation at Paddington. It was really interesting to work in such a large and busy station and experience the fast-paced environment there.
What makes being an apprentice at GWR unique?
What makes the apprenticeship unique is the opportunity to gain experience across multiple roles. Unlike many apprenticeships that focus on one area, GWR gives you exposure to different parts of the business and helps you build a broad understanding of the railway.
What have you learned during your apprenticeship that has surprised you the most?
I’ve been surprised by just how many people it takes to keep the railway running smoothly. It’s been fascinating to see the different teams and roles involved, especially within the Control Centre, and to understand how everyone works together behind the scenes.
How has your apprenticeship helped you develop both personally and professionally?
The apprenticeship has helped me develop my customer service and communication skills, which I use every day when engaging with customers. Personally, completing the Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award has helped me build confidence, resilience and teamwork through the workshops, physical challenges and expedition elements of the programme.
What new skills have you gained since joining GWR?
Since joining GWR, I’ve developed strong customer service, communication and problem-solving skills. I’ve also become more confident working in different environments, adapting to new situations and supporting customers with a wide range of enquiries.
How has working across different teams helped you understand the railway industry?
Working across different teams has shown me how many people and roles are involved in delivering a positive customer experience. It’s given me a much better understanding of how different departments work together to keep the railway moving.
What opportunities have you had to experience different roles within GWR?
So far, I’ve had the opportunity to work in Revenue Protection in London and Reading, as well as gaining experience on the Gateline and in the Ticket Office at Swindon station.
How has your apprenticeship given you insight into the variety of careers available at GWR?
The apprenticeship has been fantastic for gaining insight into the many career opportunities available at GWR. I’ve met and worked with people in a wide range of roles and have really enjoyed hearing about their career journeys and the different opportunities the railway can offer.
What has it been like working with colleagues across GWR?
It’s been a great experience. Everyone has been friendly, supportive and always willing to help if I’m unsure about something or need a hand.
How have your managers and colleagues supported you throughout your apprenticeship?
The support has been excellent. The apprenticeship team is always there to answer questions, and the colleagues I’ve worked alongside during my rotations have been incredibly knowledgeable and helpful in teaching me about different roles.
What do you enjoy most about the people and culture at GWR?
What I enjoy most is how supportive everyone is. There’s a real sense of teamwork, and people are always willing to lend a hand or share their knowledge, which makes it a great place to learn and develop.
