Railway Teacher
Karen Bennett
Day to Day tasks
Helping to inspire the next generation of train lovers, teaching young people all about the rail network and sparking their imaginations.
Skills needed for this role
e.g., written and verbal communication, research skills, stakeholder relationships, data analysis
Listening, speaking, research skills.
My working environment
No two days are the same. I get to design educational resources, take groups out on exciting trips on the rail network and work with so many different people.
Education
e.g., GCSE
I did my teacher training degree at university and then taught in primary schools for ten years before joining the railway.
HR Business Partner
Jimmy Kooner
Day to Day tasks
- Partnering with leaders to deliver the people strategy for their teams
- Supporting managers with employee relations matters such as absence, conduct, performance, and wellbeing
- Coaching managers to build confidence and capability in managing their teams
- Analysing workforce data to identify trends and inform decisions
- Supporting organisational change initiatives including restructures
- Leading or contributing to HR projects (e.g., talent development)
- Collaborating with recruitment, learning and payroll teams to ensure smooth HR service delivery
Skills needed for this role
e.g., written and verbal communication, research skills, stakeholder relationships, data analysis
- Strong written and verbal communication
- Ability to build trusted relationships with stakeholders at all levels
- Problem solving and decision-making skills
- Emotional intelligence and resilience
- Data analysis and reporting
- Coaching and influencing
- Project management
- Knowledge of employment law and HR best practice
My working environment
I work in a hybrid environment – part of the week from home and part of the week in the office or out on location. I spend a lot of time travelling up and down the network, supporting leaders and teams across different sites. No two days are the same – I might be running a training session, supporting a disciplinary hearing, or contributing to strategic planning. It’s a varied and people-focused role.
Pathways into this role
There are lots of ways to become an HR Business Partners. Some people work their way up from administrative roles in HR, while others move into HR from operational or management backgrounds. Experience dealing with people matters, change, and coaching can help a lot.
Education
e.g., GCSE
GCSEs (or equivalent) are usually a minimum, and many HR Business Partners also have:
- A-levels or vocational qualifications
- A degree (not always essential)
- CIPD Level 5 or above (commonly required or strongly preferred)
Best and most challenging things about this job
Best:
- Being able to influence real change and support people to grow
- Every day is different – there’s always something new to learn
- Building relationships across the business and being trusted by others
Most challenging:
- Managing complex employee relations cases can be emotionally and mentally demanding
Diversity and Inclusion Manager
Raye Fullard
Day to Day tasks
Developing an Inclusion Strategy, supporting our staff networks, developing EDI (equality, diversity and inclusion) resources for employees.
Skills needed for this role
e.g., written and verbal communication, research skills, stakeholder relationships, data analysis
Good written and verbal communication skills, ability to build and maintain relationships with colleagues and external stakeholders, knowledge of EDI topics
My working environment
I mostly work from home but come into the office occasionally for meetings and events. I have regular Teams meetings with internal colleagues and with others in the industry who are in similar roles to me.
Pathways into this role
Experience of being involved with EDI initiatives would be useful, even if this is not part of your main role.
Education
e.g., GCSE
I have a BSc and an MA, but these are not in subjects related to my role – however these have both helped me develop skills which are useful (report writing, communication skills).
Best and most challenging things about this job
The most challenging part of my role is engaging those who feel that EDI doesn’t apply to them – helping them to see how it connects to their experiences and responsibilities. The most rewarding part is contributing to a workplace culture where everyone feels safe, valued, and empowered to be themselves.
Apprenticeship Lead
Alexandra Hooper
Day to Day tasks
- Oversee the development and delivery of apprenticeship programmes across various departments (e.g. engineering, customer service, operations).
- Ensure apprenticeship offerings are aligned with EMR’s strategic goals and workforce development plans
- Liaise with external training providers, awarding bodies, and regulatory bodies
- Represent the apprenticeship programme in internal meetings and external forums.
- Work closely with line managers, department heads, and HR to identify apprenticeship needs and placements. Ensure apprenticeship programmes meet government funding rules, industry standards, and safety regulations.
- Prepare for inspections and audits (e.g. Ofsted) and implement quality improvement plans as required.
- Manage a team of apprenticeship coaches who act as a key point of contact for apprentices, providing regular pastoral support and guidance, and monitor academic progress and on-the-job learning, ensuring apprentices meet their milestones.
- Act as designed safeguarding lead for the apprenticeship provision ensuring a safe, supportive environment for all apprentices
Skills needed for this role
e.g., written and verbal communication, research skills, stakeholder relationships, data analysis
- Strong Communication Skills
– To engage confidently with apprentices, managers, and external training providers. - Organisational & Time Management
– To coordinate multiple apprenticeship programmes and meet deadlines. - Relationship Building
– To develop strong partnerships with internal stakeholders and external organisations. - Knowledge of Apprenticeship Standards
– To ensure compliance with national guidelines, including ESFA and Ofsted requirements. - Attention to Detail
– To maintain accurate records and ensure proper documentation for audits and reviews. - IT & Data Management Skills
– To use tracking systems, learning platforms, and reporting tools efficiently. - Understanding of Safeguarding & Pastoral Care
– To support the wellbeing and safety of apprentices across diverse age groups. - Strategic Thinking
– To align apprenticeship programmes with EMR’s long-term workforce planning. - Presentation & Public Speaking
– To promote apprenticeships at careers events, school visits, and internal briefings. - Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion
– To ensure equal opportunities and inclusive practices within apprenticeship programmes.
My working environment
My working environment is typically split between office-based work (Head Office or Training Academy), on-site visits to depots and stations, and travel to visit external partners or careers events
Pathways into this role
Common pathways into the role include progressing from roles in HR, learning and development, or operational management, especially those with experience managing training programmes or early careers.
I previously work in the Learning and Development Team at EMR as a customer service training manager and then lead training manager before moving to the role of Apprenticeship Lead
Education
e.g., GCSE
Professional qualifications such as a Level 5 Diploma in Learning and Development, CIPD accreditation, or experience working with apprenticeships or educational providers are often beneficial.
Best and most challenging things about this job
One of the most rewarding aspects of being an Apprenticeship Lead at EMR is seeing individuals grow in confidence, develop new skills, and ultimately achieve their career goals. I am very lucky I get to see people realise their potential and build lasting careers in the rail industry.
A key challenge in the role is keeping up with frequent changes to apprenticeship funding rules, frameworks, and compliance requirements. Navigating these updates while ensuring programmes remain high quality and fully compliant can be complex and time-consuming
There are also many other rail roles in the HR & Training category, such as Workforce Planning Lead, Talent Acquisition Specialist, Learning and Development Advisor, Employee Relations Advisor, Safety Training Instructor, and Wellbeing Coordinator.