Reflections during National Apprenticeship Week 2026
Millions of people in the UK have undertaken apprenticeship courses, and they are a long-standing way to gain valuable skills and get on the job ladder.
Here at the NRL Group, apprenticeships are something we’re always keen to invest in, as we look at ways we can bring onboard new starters in our business operations, from our rail maintenance services to our support office functions. National Apprenticeship Week 2026 provides a great opportunity to pause and reflect on the benefits these training courses provide to people looking for personal development opportunities, and the advantages they bring to businesses.
The value of apprenticeship training
From learning new skills to entering a different industry, apprenticeship training has become a recognised way to build a career that will allow you to gain skills you’ll use for the rest of your life. For businesses, they provide a route to welcome new entrants into their sectors, pairing on-the-job training with classroom or online formal education – ensuring both the business and apprentice can benefit from day one.
We first started taking on apprentices over a decade ago, and we’re extremely proud to say many of these colleagues are still working within our businesses today – having progressed in their careers whilst helping us continue to grow our operations.
Reflecting on their apprenticeship journeys
Today, to mark the 19th annual National Apprenticeship Week, we asked colleagues who are currently studying for, or have previously undertaken, an apprenticeship to share their experiences.
Joe Hall, 2nd Line Support Technician
Joe works in the IT team at the NRL Group’s support office and is currently studying for the Level 4 Network Engineer course thanks to apprentice levy funding.
“My manager presented the course to me and asked me whether it was something I’d be interested in. Apprenticeships are a good way to broaden your skillset, while still being able to continue working in your role, so people don’t have to suffer financial burdens when choosing between the two – so it was ideal.
My course is broken up into 4 different weeklong training modules, as well as the development of a portfolio. It’s taught by engaging tutors who are enthusiastic about what they are teaching, which in turn has helped me engage better with the material being delivered. I’m enjoying getting a better understanding of how the devices we use daily, seamlessly interact with each other regardless of the internal components.
Through the course I’m gaining more knowledge to further my personal development and help with implementation and optimisation to ensure our networks are operating as efficiently as they can be.”
Jay Smallwood, Senior Compliance Consultant
Based in NRL’s Wigan recruitment branch, Jay’s long-standing knowledge of compliance began when he started the first of three apprenticeship courses.
“I wasn’t enjoying College so explored my options and found the best way to get started would be to learn as I work. So, I found the job posting online and applied. What I enjoyed the most was being able to apply what I was learning directly to my day-to-day role. The apprenticeship wasn’t just theoretical; it helped me understand why tasks were done a certain way and how my work contributed to the wider business.
The balance worked well. Most learning happened on the job, which made the coursework feel relevant and practical, rather than detached from real work. It helped me structure my learning and reflect on my experience, while allowing me to build confidence through hands-on practice.
Apprenticeships are a great way to build confidence, develop practical skills, and set a strong foundation for long-term career growth. For businesses they help develop skilled, motivated employees who understand the business from the ground up.”
Jamie Finn, Social Media Marketing Manager
Jamie first saw an opportunity to join the NRL Group through a locally advertise Marketing Apprentice job in 2014.
“As someone who learns best by getting ‘hands-on’ with something, I found it beneficial to have the opportunity to utilise the new skills in a real-work environment. Having the opportunity to learn whilst working with colleagues was particularly helpful, as I was able to run questions by them or ask for advice whenever I needed support or wanted to explore a topic further.
Marketing is a complex function with a lot of moving parts involved. The apprenticeship gave me exposure to a wide range of marketing activities, and ensured I had a thorough understanding of the entire marketing function. Later when I specialised in a specific area, I could fully understand how best to collaborate with colleagues across the wider team.
If you’re the type of person that learns best by doing rather than just seeing, an apprenticeship can be a perfect fit to help you gain early experience and develop essential skills that will support you throughout your career.”
Sound like the kind of company you’d like to join?
You can find out more about the NRL Group on our website.