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 improve quality of life, by bringing people together to get the most out of life.
SWR is part of FirstGroup, the largest rail operator in the UK and second largest bus operator in the UK outside London. FirstGroup operates services throughout the UK and Ireland, with over 30,000 employees providing services that make travel smoother and life easier. FirstGroup works hard to reduce its impact on the environment, introducing cleaner and more environmentally responsible methods of transport.
The South Western Railway Apprenticeship programme has officially achieved the Silver standard from Investors in People for 'We Invest in Apprentices'
About the job
As an apprentice in this safety-critical role, you will receive comprehensive support from your depot manager and the On-Train team to effectively oversee the day-to-day front-line operations of Guards and Commercial Guards. Your primary focus will be on ensuring the highest standards of safety, punctuality, and customer service are consistently maintained.
Apprenticeship Standard: Level 4
Your main responsibilities will be:
* Team Leadership and Motivation: Lead and motivate Guards to consistently achieve optimal levels of train safety, punctuality, and customer service excellence.
* On-Train Visibility Checks: Conduct regular out-of-hours visibility checks to ensure Guards deliver exceptional on-train customer service, addressing any issues promptly.
* Training and Development: Support the ongoing development of Guards by providing both online and practical training sessions, nurturing their skills and competencies throughout their careers.
* Supporting Guards Management: Assist the Guards Management team during on-call duties, attending relevant training courses to effectively handle safety of the line and operational incidents.
* Exemplifying Company Values: Serve as a shining example of the company's values and behaviours, embodying a commitment to excellence in service delivery. Uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity in all interactions with team members and customers alike.
* Note: This role involves safety-critical responsibilities and may require flexible working hours, including on-call duties and attendance at training courses.
You'll need:
* 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 to customers
As a minimum, you will need to have:
* GCSE grade 4 or above in English and maths
About the location
Bournemouth Train Station, located on the picturesque south coast of England, serves as a vital transportation hub connecting travellers to stunning coastal destinations. Whether you're embarking on a journey to explore the beautiful beaches of the Jurassic Coast or commuting to the vibrant city of London, Bournemouth Train Station provides a gateway to unforgettable experiences
Working pattern
Working an average of 37 hours per week over 5 days
Involves some early and late shifts
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
* Large range of exclusive retail offers
* Excellent pension scheme
Additional Information
* You will undergo thorough Guards training, ensuring you maintain the highest level of competency. This will involve regular assessments and practical train working to continuously enhance your proficiency.
* Work towards achieving an assessor'squalification, enabling you to assess Guards' adherence to safety-critical competencies. You will collaborate with them to develop action plans for improving standards where necessary.
* Develop a strongunderstanding of the operational transport service, including its targets, obligations, infrastructure, and assets. This knowledge will provide you with a holistic view of the industry landscape.
* Theapprenticeship standard places emphasis on four key themes: Safety, Quality, Customer Service, and Management. You will undergo specialised training to cultivate skills and competencies in these critical areas.
* Attend 14 face-to-face teaching days or online sessionsapproximately every 4 weeks, covering apprenticeship standard content. This structured and immersive training programme aims to provide you with a solid foundation for success in your role, ensuring you are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and qualifications necessary to thrive in the dynamic railway operations environment.
We all belong at SWR.FirstGroup's vision is to provide an inclusive environment for all colleagues, across its group of businesses, 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.
We review all roles and job descriptions to ensure they are accessible and, where possible, we support and provide flexible working options; we recommend that you refer to each vacancy description for further details.
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.
https://exceptionalindividuals.com/neurodiversity/
https://www.healthassured.org/blog/neurodiversity/
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