This week, Great Western Railway delivered an engaging guest lecture for our Travel and Tourism learners, offering valuable insight into the wide range of career opportunities available within their organisation and how students can begin their journey into the industry.

The session was designed to give learners a well-rounded understanding of GWR as both a transport provider and an employer. GWR employees spoke in depth about their apprenticeship programmes, with particular focus on customer service and engineering pathways. They outlined what each scheme involves, the skills and qualities they look for in applicants, and how these programmes support long-term career development. Students also gained practical advice on navigating the application process, including tips on standing out as a candidate, followed by an interactive Q&A session that allowed them to ask questions and explore their interests further.

In addition to entry routes, GWR highlighted the strong potential for career progression within the company, emphasising that apprenticeships can lead to long-term, rewarding careers. They also shared some of the benefits available to employees, such as free or discounted rail travel and access to gym memberships, helping students understand the wider advantages of working in the industry.

To provide further context, the speakers introduced the scale and impact of GWR’s operations. Learners were interested to hear that the company serves over 80 million passengers each year and operates across approximately 1,360 miles of track, connecting communities and supporting regional economies. They also explored the extensive network of routes covered by GWR, reinforcing the organisation’s importance within the UK’s transport infrastructure.

While many roles are associated with trains and stations, GWR demonstrated the breadth of opportunities available behind the scenes. These include roles in finance, sales and marketing, performance analysis, property services, and business assurance - highlighting that there are career paths to suit a wide range of skills and interests.

Overall, the lecture provided a valuable opportunity for our learners to gain first-hand insight into the travel and tourism industry, helping them to better understand their options and feel more confident about their future career choices. 

Thank you to Great Western Railway for delivering such an insightful and inspiring session, and for supporting our students as they explore their next steps.