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TfL celebrates National Apprenticeship Week by launching more than 170 apprenticeships across the organisation
As part of National Apprenticeship Week 2025 (10-16 February), Transport for London (TfL) is launching a range of apprenticeship opportunities to support Londoners into lifelong careers across the organisation and its supply chain.
TfL's award-winning apprenticeship programme supports people of all ages to learn new skills for a future career whilst in employment. Starting from September, 175 places are available across the organisation in 40 different apprenticeships. Applicants can choose from a range of roles in track and asset maintenance, technology and data, sustainability, and in roles supporting TfL's major projects. The opportunities span from Level 2 to Level 6, with a Level 2 apprenticeship being the equivalent of 5 GCSEs, and Level 6 equivalent to achieving a degree.
On successful completion of the apprenticeship, all apprentices will receive an industry recognised qualification in their area of expertise as well as invaluable work experience, helping to put their new knowledge into practice. In a commitment to widening access to apprenticeships, TfL is also proud to have opened four schemes to 16-year-olds including Dial a Ride, IT Solutions, Transport Planning and Project Controls. TfL Apprenticeships are a great start to a career or an opportunity to retrain.
TfL is always reviewing its provision of apprenticeships to complement its strategic workforce needs, and this year launched several new apprenticeships including Level 3 Boatmaster and Level 3 Marine Engineer*.
In the past 12 years, TfL has taken on around 9700 apprentices through its supply chain or through the London Transport Museum and Places for London. All have gained experience and new skills while working on a vast range of projects which help shape London, including Silvertown Tunnel, major road improvements and communication systems for staff working on London Underground.
The apprenticeship and training programmes on offer at TfL and its wider supply chain are testament to the investment in London's transport and the UK-wide economic benefits of TfL's supply chain.
TfL is committed to improving diversity across the transport industry and is working hard to bring more women and people from ethnic minority backgrounds into roles at all levels. Through its work to encourage women to consider engineering roles, TfL has seen an increase in the number of women joining teams across typically male dominated areas, for example - in 2024 34 per cent of apprentices that joined our TfL engineering apprenticeships supporting its major projects were women.
Meanwhile, the proportion of women joining TfL apprenticeships has risen from 20 per cent in 2018 to 28 per cent in 2024. TfL has also achieved an increase in those declaring a disability rising from 4 per cent to 8 per cent. By supporting a variety of people into transport, TfL is helping to future-proof the wider industry, encouraging new and diverse thinking, and making it more sustainable in the long term.
TfL is hosting an event on 28 February 2025 where interested people can learn more about TfL’s apprenticeship options, with the opportunity to talk to current apprentices about the different roles TfL offer. Everyone is welcome, including potential applicants, teachers, parents and hiring managers. People can register to attend TfL’s apprenticeship event on 28 February.
Natalie Osei, Civil Engineering Apprentice at TfL, said: “Starting my Apprenticeship within Asset Operations – Network Management Resilience has given me great exposure into how our wider network is managed on a day-to-day basis. I’ve had the opportunity to have insight on some projects such as Bus Stop Maintenance and Capital Delivery supplying CCTV , Safety Cameras, and Signals onto the network. Having a better perception into the daily operation has reinforced my appreciation to how our city is kept safe.”
Joseph Darnborough, General Management Apprentice at TfL, said: "I’m really enjoying my time as a General Management Apprentice at TfL. I'm currently in my third year and I've had the opportunity to undertake placements with the Safety Strategy team, on the frontline and leadership team in London Underground, and I've also been part of the Piccadilly line Upgrade Programme. The placements offer a unique opportunity to contribute to the millions of journeys made across the TfL network every day and I'm really proud to know that my role makes a difference.
“One of the great things about doing an apprenticeship is being able to learn on the job skills whilst gaining a professional qualification, which sets me up for my future career ambitions at TfL."
Sa’diyyah Shaikh, Learning Apprentice: Young People’s Skills and Communities, at London Transport Museum, said: “My experience as a Learning Apprentice at London Transport Museum has opened up incredible opportunities for growth, both in my career and as an individual. I’ve been able to take on new challenges, connect with other museum professionals and use my creativity to deliver new experiences to Young Londoners just like me. Each project has enhanced my skills and built my confidence, giving me the chance to securely shape my future in a way that feels meaningful and empowering.”
Qamar Afrah, Sustainability Apprentice at TfL, said: “TfL apprenticeships provide wide and varied opportunities to help you jumpstart your career, and the support apprentices receive on scheme is also brilliant, making TfL a great place to work too.”
Fiona Brunskill, Chief People Officer at TfL said: "Apprenticeships are an amazing way for people to earn while they learn the necessary skills for future careers. Our apprenticeship programmes have helped people find lifelong careers that many are continuing and bring fresh thinking to help us and our partners find new ways of working. Apprenticeships aren't just for school leavers but anyone looking to learn new skills and I encourage anyone looking to help shape the city to work with us and be part of the UK's future."
TfL's supplier skills programme also looks to connect existing and future apprentices with roles across its UK-wide supply chain, helping people looking for an apprenticeship potential role among companies in all corners of the country as well as London. By doing so, apprentices not only gain the vital skills needed to keep transport running but also can help support a wider economic recovery right across the UK. TfL supported suppliers to create over 780 apprenticeships to start in 2023/24, 68 per cent of the successful applicants were from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic background. TfL is holding their annual supply chain apprenticeship fair on Tuesday 11 February to showcase the exciting apprenticeship and job opportunities available to potential candidates. The London Transport Museum will be delivering free networking skills sessions and CV workshops for attendees.
To learn more about careers at TfL, please visit Apprenticeships - Transport for London (tfl.gov.uk)