Apprenticeships at LNER
Boost your career with an apprenticeship at LNER
Apprenticeships at LNER
LNER uses apprenticeship programmes to invest in career-specific training and development that meets our needs and supports a diverse group of people to achieve a formal, industry-recognised qualification in a range of specialist areas. This ensures our people have the right skills and competencies, in the right place and at the right time. Apprenticeships are not only for young people leaving school, college or university but continue to provide development opportunities throughout your career.
An apprenticeship at LNER will give you the knowledge, skills and behaviours to succeed using high quality, innovative and flexible training methods. You will work alongside highly experienced staff, trainers and coaches to gain job-specific skills and be given time for study related to your role.
As a Department for Education main provider of apprenticeships, LNER delivers Level 2 Passenger Transport Operative (for our Train Managers) and Level 3 Train Driver apprenticeships. We also collaborate with external partners to offer a wide range of apprenticeship opportunities in other roles.
Vacancies for our apprenticeship programmes are advertised as and when there is demand within the business. We would advise you to keep an eye on the LNER jobsite. If you register an account, you can sign up to job alerts so you will be among the first to know about any new vacancies in your location, how to apply and the selection process.
Level 2 Passenger Transport Operative for our Train Managers
What’s involved?
Programme duration: 13 months, plus 3 months End Point Assessment (EPA). Entry requirements: To join us as a Train Manager apprentice,
- You’ll need to be over 18 years old.
- You’ll need to have maths and English at GCSE grade 9-4 / A*-C (or equivalent) to start the programme. Click here (Specification of apprenticeship standards for England (publishing.service.gov.uk)) to find out more about what equivalent qualifications are acceptable.
Programme structure: Our Level 2 Passenger Transport Operative programme comprises,
- Four weeks of initial classroom training.
- A period of mentoring, observation and assessment onboard.
- 12-weekly progress reviews with your trainer.
Career pathway: Once qualified, future opportunities include Customer Experience Duty Manager, On Trains Skills and Competency Manager, or Train Manager Trainer.
Location and salary information: Train Manager Level 2 Passenger Transport Operative apprenticeships are full-time, salaried roles. Full details of vacancies in your location, how to apply and the selection process can be found on the LNER jobsite. Vacancies for this apprenticeship programme are advertised as and when there is demand within the business, so register an account for alerts on when our apprenticeship opportunities are available!
Level 3 Train Driver
What’s involved?
Programme duration: 13 months, plus 3 months End Point Assessment (EPA). Entry requirements: To join us as a Train Driver apprentice,
- You’ll need to be at least 20.5 years old when you apply.
- You’ll need to have maths and English at GCSE grade 9-4 / A*-C (or equivalent) to start the programme. Click here (Specification of apprenticeship standards for England (publishing.service.gov.uk)) to find out more about what equivalent qualifications are acceptable.
Programme structure: Our Level 3 Train Driver programme comprises,
- 15 weeks initial classroom training.
- An on-board driver mentor period of around 260 hours.
- 12-weekly progress reviews with your trainer.
- You will need to achieve an ICT Level 2 qualification as part of the apprenticeship programme, unless you already hold an equivalent qualification.
Career pathway: Once qualified, future opportunities include Driver Mentor, Driver Trainer and Driver Team Manager.
Location and salary information: Level 3 Train Driver apprenticeships are full-time, salaried roles. Full details of vacancies in your location, how to apply and the selection process can be found on the LNER jobsite. Vacancies for this apprenticeship programme are advertised as and when there is demand within the business, so register an account for alerts on when our apprenticeship opportunities are available!
Apprenticeship FAQs
How do I apply for an apprenticeship and when will vacancies be advertised?
Full details of vacancies in your location, how to apply and the selection process can be found on the LNER jobsite. Vacancies for our apprenticeship programmes are advertised as and when there is demand within the business, so register an account for alerts on when our apprenticeship opportunities are available!
Do you have to already work for LNER to become an apprentice?
Apprenticeship vacancies advertised on the LNER jobsite are open to external applicants.
When I complete my apprenticeship will there be a full-time position for me with LNER?
LNER currently retains apprentices in roles once qualified.
Do you have any apprenticeships for school leavers?
There are minimum age entry requirements for the Level 2 Passenger Transport Operative and Level 3 Train Driver Apprenticeships. programmes. We also collaborate with external partners to offer a wide range of apprenticeship opportunities in other roles. We recommend registering for job alerts on the LNER jobsite so you will be among the first to know about apprenticeship vacancies in your location, how to apply and the selection process.
What qualifications do I need to become an apprentice?
The only qualifications needed to become an apprentice at LNER are maths and English GCSE Grade 9-4/A*-C, or equivalent.
What maths and English qualifications do I need?
To join us on the apprenticeship journey you will need to already have maths and English GCSE Grade 9-4/A*-C, or equivalent qualification. Click here (Specification of apprenticeship standards for England (publishing.service.gov.uk)) to find out more about what acceptable qualifications can be submitted.
When do I need to provide evidence of my maths and English qualifications?
You will be asked to upload a copy of your qualification certificates at the time of applying for any apprenticeship role at LNER to show you meet this entry requirement. Unfortunately, we will be unable to progress any applications without them.
I do not have maths and/or English GCSEs but I have a degree. Surely this and life experience can be considered.
Acceptable current and prior equivalent qualifications for English and maths minimum requirements in apprenticeships are set by the Department for Education. Higher level qualifications, such as degrees, are only acceptable if the qualification is predominantly in the subject of English Language or English Literature and/or Mathematics. Unfortunately, exceptions cannot be made to this. Click here (Specification of apprenticeship standards for England (publishing.service.gov.uk)) to find out more about what equivalent qualifications can be submitted.
What do I do if I do not have my certificates?
If you are like many people and haven’t seen your certificates in a lot of years, the first thing you could do is contact your examining board and request a re-printed copy of your certificates (they may charge a fee for this).
What do I do if I do not have maths and/or English GCSEs (or equivalents)?
If you don’t have the required grades or certificates, you can complete a Level 2 functional skills course (or National 5 in Scotland). These courses are provided by local colleges or training providers and are in many cases free! You can use the National Careers Service Find a Course website to find something near you, or search for “adult education budget provider” followed by your postcode.
What do I do if I took my equivalent GCSE qualifications in maths and English outside of the UK?
If you sat your exams in another country other than UK then you will need to obtain a ‘translation’ of your certificate to confirm you have the equivalent standard. UK ENIC is the UK National Information Centre for the recognition and evaluation of international qualifications and skills. To obtain this, visit the UK ENIC website.
Do you offer work experience at LNER?
LNER is currently working on our work experience offer. Tomorrow’s Talent is our popular online work experience programme. To date, more than 500 teenagers living within ten miles of the LNER route have taken part in the programme which is open to 14-18-year-olds in Years 10-13 in England or S3-S6 in Scotland. Anyone interested in attending the programme is encouraged to visit https://www.springpod.com/virtual-work-experience/lner-tomorrows-talent where you can find further information and submit their application.
My question hasn’t been answered by the information above – is there anyone I can talk to?
- Please note, the Apprenticeship Team is not able to:
- answer specific recruitment queries if you are going through the application process.
- provide feedback on applications.
- give information about salaries or when/where vacancies will be available. Please register an account for vacancy alerts on the LNER jobsite.