Our 2023 cohort of apprentices are settling into their new training programmes, and recruitment has already started for next year’s intake.
Nine people started their training in September, in a variety of roles including power supplies, civil engineering, data science, business administration, HR and project management.
Some will learn the skills needed to look after 77km railway infrastructure, while others will be working within key business units behind the scenes in Nexus, which operates Tyne and Wear Metro, the Shields Ferry, some secured bus routes, plus Metro stations and transport interchanges across Tyne and Wear.
Charlotte Spowart joined Nexus to study a degree level apprenticeship in Project Management.
She said: “I am really enjoying my apprenticeship so far and I’m looking forward to managing my own projects very soon. My colleagues are more than helpful and have been showing me how to manage projects. My first university assignment is also well underway and it’s great applying the knowledge I’ve already gained from working at Nexus.”
Lawrence Robinson has started an apprenticeship with the power supplies team, where he will gain a working knowledge of the overhead line systems on the Metro network.
He said: “It’s been great so far, the people in the team are so experienced and very happy to help us with our learning. It’s definitely the kind of thing you can’t learn in a classroom, with the hands-on work and getting used to the shifts, but I’m really enjoying it.”
Another new starter, Kieron Burn, is studying a degree level apprenticeship in data science with our Corporate Planning team. He said: “Apprenticeships in data science at degree level are really rare, so I was very pleased to get this one. Everyone has been very supportive, and it’s been really interesting to look at data in terms of public transport. The role means I get to link in with lots of other teams and it’s been great to learn more about the whole business.”
We have a successful track record in recruiting apprentices, with most of them progressing on to permanent full-time employment or higher-level training after serving their time as trainees.
Head of Learning at Nexus, Heather Blevins, said: “Apprenticeships are vital for the long-term future of the Nexus.
“They are an ideal route both for us and the apprentice. Apprentices get first class training, opening the door to a brilliant career in the public transport industry, learning bespoke skills with a good chance of getting a permanent job at the end of the apprenticeship. We gain skilled and engaged employees who see real career development.
“Historically our apprenticeships were always in practical roles in infrastructure, like signalling, track or overhead lines. While we still do recruit apprentices into those areas, we have also broadened the reach and welcomed apprentices in many other areas too. It’s vital that we invest in training and development across the whole organisation, to ensure that we can continue to deliver the essential services to our customers for many more years to come.”
Nexus apprentices get training on the job with experienced colleagues, at our bespoke Learning Centre in South Shields and via external training providers.
In total 22 apprentices are learning their trades across the business, and ten new apprentices will be recruited next year. They will start their training in September 2024, in a range of roles including engineering, transport planning, data analytics, marketing and administration.
Find out more about the current apprenticeship vacancies at www.nexus.org.uk/apprenticeships