Our High Speed Rail Apprentice Network is made up of apprentices and graduates from across our membership. The network is designed to connect apprentices from across HS2 and its contractors, and the wider HSR industry – providing apprentices with opportunities for networking, meeting other apprentices and sharing experiences and best practice.             This year’s Apprentice Conference was hosted by Hitachi Rail in Newton Aycliffe. The Hitachi-Alstom High Speed joint venture will design, build, and maintain the next generation of very high speed trains for HS2 ..read more

We spoke to Muhammad Isa, a Signalling Engineering Apprentice at Alstom. Can you describe your role in a few words? I am a multi-disciplinary apprentice engineer who interfaces across the different disciplines on railway signalling renewal/enhancement projects to ensure safe and on-time delivery. What were you doing prior to your Apprenticeship? I was a college, studying A-levels in Biology, Chemistry and Psychology. What was your perception of the sector before you started your apprenticeship? Prior to joining the rail industry I had very little knowledge of how the industry was operated and ..read more

We spoke to Ollie Marshall, a Project engineering Apprentice at Alstom. Can you describe your role in a few words? I am a Project Engineering Apprentice gaining experience on railway signalling projects within Alstom. I am currently working on the Cambridge Re-Signalling Project (C3R), and also supporting the Contractor’s Engineering Manager (CEM) with the assurance and acceptance side of the project. What were you doing prior to your Apprenticeship? Prior to this, I was a school leaver so I had no relevant experience for this industry. I have completed GCSEs, A Levels and a Foundation Year w ..read more

We are alarmed by the lack of guarantee from the Levelling Up Secretary that HS2 services will reach Euston. The suggestion that Old Oak Common might be a better bet for a London terminus is not helpful given this station would be stretched to handle half the number of trains HS2 has planned. This would result in a capacity-halved high-speed railway at best, undermining plans for better use of the West Coast Main Line and the communities it serves in the process. We agree with the Levelling Up Secretary that as many people as possible should benefit not just from the additional rail infrastruc ..read more

We are pleased to announce the appointment of a new Director, drawn from HSRG’s membership, with immediate effect. Mike Muldoon from SYSTRA will join the Board during an important period in the development of the UK’s high speed rail network, as the group seeks to broaden the debate and reinforce the positive aspects of the reach of the HS2 project beyond the most obvious, direct impact of the infrastructure to the wider impacts around spreading growth and prosperity more evenly across Britain; offering a zero-carbon alternative with less need for short distance air-travel and a modal shift of ..read more

We spoke to Megan McCreadie, a Project Controls Degree Apprentice with Atkins Can you describe your role in a few words? I work as a Project Support Officer (PSO) so communicate daily with the framework manager and project managers on a range of projects.  I also Project Manage four of my own projects. What were you doing prior to your Apprenticeship? I was on a gap year having finished sixth form. I also worked as a business administrator alongside a project manager in a software development team for 6 months. What was your perception of the sector before you started your apprenticeship ..read more

We spoke to Eliska Ghisoni-O’Donnell, a Project Controls Degree Apprentice with Atkins Can you describe your role in a few words? I’m currently working on major projects mostly assisting my Project Managers with financial aspects of the work. What were you doing prior to your Apprenticeship? I was studying in sixth form prior to my apprenticeship. What was your perception of the sector before you started your apprenticeship? I had some insight into the transportation sector prior to joining my apprenticeship as my dad works for Transport for London. I had high expectations as he very much enj ..read more

We spoke to Tom Pryce, Apprentice Railway Engineering Technician with Alstom Can you describe your role in a few words? Learning operational activities around maintaining trains including 5 Car Bi-Mode, 7 Car EMU’s and Class 390 tilting fleet. What were you doing prior to your Apprenticeship? I was completing A levels in 6th Form College What was your perception of the sector before you started your apprenticeship? I have always been fascinated by the rail industry and how technological advances can impact on the growing demand for efficient and environmentally friendly transport systems.&nbs ..read more

We spoke to Saeda Maihanwal, Supply Chain Apprentice at Alstom Can you describe your role in a few words? Working in all sectors of the supply chain network including, expediting, procurement, sourcing, warehousing and sales. What were you doing prior to your Apprenticeship? I was completing my GCSE and A Levels What was your perception of the sector before you started your apprenticeship? To be honest I was unaware of all the different sectors in rail – including rolling stock, services, signalling and systems. I was a passenger and I had always researched regarding the economic benefits of ..read more

We spoke to Billy Gamov, an Engineering Apprentice with Alstom Can you describe your role in a few words? I assist senior colleagues with process tools and management, while designing, developing and testing technical signalling systems using specialised software. What were you doing prior to your Apprenticeship? I was a cleaner at a gym. What was your perception of the sector before you started your apprenticeship? I had limited understanding really, but I did have a genuine interest in the rail industry. What interested you in joining Alstom? What appealed to me were the number of extensive ..read more