* Please note for this apprenticeship, you will need to be aged 18+ years on the 1st September 2026.
Who are we?
South Western Railway (SWR) operates over 1,500 services each weekday across the network and employs more than 5,000 people. We provide easy and convenient mobility, connecting people and communities in South West London, southern counties of England, and the Isle of Wight.
Join our team and help us continue to bring people together to get the most out of life.
About the job
At South Western Railway, we believe our people are our greatest asset. SWR is a leading provider of passenger train services in the south-west of England. With a commitment to safety, reliability, and sustainability, we strive to deliver exceptional service to our customers while maintaining a strong focus on innovation and continuous improvement. Our fleet, encompassing electric and diesel trains, covers over 4 million miles yearly. Our skilled colleagues ensure the reliability and availability of our services, directly impacting customer satisfaction.
Your main responsibilities will be:
As a Paint Spray and Bodywork Apprentice, you'll play a key role in maintaining the appearance of our trains to the high standards our customers expect. You'll need to be practical, detail-oriented, and have good hand-eye coordination.
Your training will blend:
* On-the-job experience at Bournemouth Traincare Depot
* Block release residential training at Thatcham Research's world-class facility in Berkshire
* Academic qualifications in vehicle body and paint repair
Year 1
* Attend 2-week block release training sessions at Thatcham Research
* Complete Level 2 VCQ in Vehicle Body and Paint
* Gain practical experience at Bournemouth Traincare Depot
Years 2 & 3
* Progress to Level 3 VCQ in Vehicle Body and Paint
* Continue block release training at Thatcham Research
* Receive ongoing workplace training and mentoring
* Work toward becoming an IMI-accredited Body and Paint Technician
You'll need to have:
* GCSE Maths grade 5+
* GCSE English grade 4+
* GCSE Science grade 4+
Desirable
* A desire to pursue a career in the railway industry.
* Flexibility – this apprenticeship may involve early or late shifts and travel to other areas on our network.
* Excellent communication, with the ability to motivate and inspire a team.
* Proactive and adaptable approach to problem-solving, with a keen eye for detail.
* Willingness to undergo training and development to enhance skills and knowledge in the role.
* A dedication to upholding the company's values and delivering exceptional service.
About the location
Bournemouth Depot is home to a number of South Western Railway's fleet. The engineering team at the depot are currently responsible for numerous projects such as the major component overhaul work on the 159 fleet, the Desiro repaint on the class 444's and 450's and the latest modification project on our exciting new Arterio fleet that is set to transform travel on our suburban routes by offering customers much faster and more reliable journeys
Working pattern
Working an average of 37 hours per week over 5 days
The Reward
In return we offer a competitive salary and a variety of valuable benefits, including:
* Free duty and leisure travel on SWR services for employees
* Free leisure travel for spouse/partner and dependants (criteria dependent)
* 75% discount on many other train operating companies
* Full training and support with development
* Excellent pension scheme
We all belong at SWR. Our vision is to provide an inclusive environment for all colleagues, ensuring all candidates have an equal opportunity to access meaningful employment.
We value our differences such as age, gender, LGBTQIA+, ethnicity, religion, and disability. We maintain a zero tolerance towards any form of prejudice towards our colleagues, customers, and future talent.
We celebrate and encourage diversity of thought, progressive ways of working and seeing all our colleagues grow and thrive.
If you require additional support to complete your application due to a disability or neurodivergent condition, for example, dyslexia, dyspraxia, or autism, please follow the links below. We encourage you to share any additional needs you may require so we can provide a fair and equal process for all who apply.