- CrossCountry welcomes new cohort of eight train driver apprentices during National Apprenticeship Week.
- The new recruits add to 285 colleagues already involved with apprenticeship schemes across the business.
- There are currently 16 schemes on offer to new and existing employees, with more being introduced.
This National Apprenticeship Week, train operator CrossCountry has welcomed a new cohort of eight apprentice train drivers to their headquarters in Birmingham, set to be ‘trained up’ with the long-distance rail operator.
National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) 2024, which runs from Monday 5 until Sunday 11 February, is the 17th annual celebration of apprenticeships in England. CrossCountry has offered a range of apprenticeships to employees across the country since October 2020.
Now in their third year, the 16 schemes cover a range of different business areas and are offered to new and existing colleagues as part of the business’ learning and development programme.
So far, 141 colleagues have already fully passed out on their schemes, with another 144 coming ‘down the line’ – totalling almost 300 new apprentices moving through the business over the last three years. .
New recruits are enrolled onto an appropriate apprenticeship scheme as part of their role - complemented by hands on experiences and learning - whilst still receiving a full-time salary.
Caren Alderwick, Head of Apprenticeships and Operational Training at CrossCountry, said: "From train driving to teaching, and from senior leadership to safety, we’re offering all colleagues the chance to embark on an apprenticeship as part of their role at CrossCountry.”
“It’s been great to see so many apprentices excel since the start of the schemes and go on to great success in the business and wider rail industry. I wish our new cohort of new recruits all the very best for their upcoming schemes and in their future careers.”
Last year CrossCountry was awarded Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer status and was recognised as a Gold member of The 5% Club – a charity committed to increasing the numbers of ‘earn and learn’ positions offered by UK employers.
Suzie Johnstone, Driver Team Manager at CrossCountry and graduate of Level 4 passenger transport operations management apprenticeship, said: “I have learnt so many skills from the different modules covered within the apprenticeship that can be used in so many varied scenarios”.
“I love the fact that the apprenticeship scheme has increased my professional network and provided me with contacts from other train operators”.
For more information about apprenticeships available at CrossCountry, visit: our jobs website.
Further detail on apprenticeship opportunities across the country can be found through the National Apprenticeship Service.
Contact Information
CrossCountry Press Office
[email protected]About CrossCountry
CrossCountry is a long-distance passenger train operator, with a network stretching from Aberdeen to Penzance and from Stansted to Cardiff and calling at over 100 stations. Based in Birmingham, CrossCountry connects seven of Britain’s 10 largest cities and delivers 240 services every weekday, equating to over 42 million passenger journeys each year.
For further information on CrossCountry services, visit crosscountrytrains.co.uk or visit one of our social media platforms via X @crosscountryuk or Facebook at facebook.com/crosscountrytrains
Long-distance train operator CrossCountry has announced adjustments to its timetable from 14 December, as part of the rail industry’s twice-yearly timetable review.
- Giant city centre artwork unveiled on Aire Street in Leeds
- 14-metre-high mural, created by Leeds based artist Elle Koziupa and Global Street Art, celebrates the journeys that have helped shape Leeds
- Photorealism, painterly illustration and graphics combine to depict the textile carts that powered Leeds’ rise to a northern powerhouse, to CrossCountry trains linking the city’s people and culture to the rest of UK today
- CrossCountry will operate a reduced timetable over the Bank Holiday weekend – with no services on Saturday 23 August - due to industrial action by the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT)
- Services on Sunday 24 August are also likely to be subject to cancellations across all CrossCountry routes
- Passengers are advised not to travel on Saturday 23 August and to travel on either side of the Bank Holiday weekend, or claim a full refund
