Britain’s railway has welcomed its first cohort of Artificial Intelligence Engineering Apprentices, marking a significant step in efforts to develop the specialist skills needed to support the industry’s adoption of AI technology.
The apprentices, based in York and London, will combine formal learning with practical experience across the railway, gaining expertise in both artificial intelligence and the operational requirements of the rail sector.
The programme has been launched by GBRX, the strategic technology and innovation body for Great British Railways (GBR), as part of a wider initiative to accelerate the safe and responsible use of AI across the industry.
It follows the publication of GBRX’s Artificial Intelligence in Rail: The Industry Action Plan, which identified a shortage of specialist capability as a major barrier to the effective adoption of AI.
Building AI expertise within the railway
The apprenticeship scheme is designed to address a challenge facing the rail industry: developing a workforce that understands both emerging digital technologies and the complexities of operating a safety-critical railway.
While AI offers opportunities to improve infrastructure maintenance, operational decision-making, asset management and passenger services, its successful introduction depends on having people with the technical knowledge and industry experience to develop and apply these systems responsibly.
The new apprentices will undertake placements across different parts of the railway, allowing them to gain practical experience while developing specialist engineering and AI skills.
These placements will be coordinated through GBRX’s AI Incubator Accelerator (AIIA), which has been established to bring together expertise and support delivery of the industry’s AI Action Plan.
The intention is to build capability within individual railway organisations while creating a broader pool of expertise that can support AI adoption across the sector.
Unlike initiatives focused solely on procuring new technology, the programme places emphasis on developing long-term internal capability.
Turning the AI Action Plan into practical delivery
The apprenticeship programme follows two other actions undertaken by GBRX since the publication of its industry AI strategy.
The organisation has identified priorities for where artificial intelligence could deliver the greatest benefits across the railway and established the AI Incubator Accelerator to coordinate expertise and implementation.
The arrival of the first apprentices represents a further stage in translating those strategic objectives into practical action.
Toufic Machnouk, Managing Director of GBRX, said: “A plan on paper will not deliver our ambition, capability is the constraint and the action we are taking responds to that.
“We launched the AI apprenticeship programme to create sustainable skills for the future bringing together a unique blend of expertise in both AI and rail. Now, just five months later, I am proud to say that the first cohort of AI apprentices has joined Britain’s railway.”
The programme reflects the importance of developing technical expertise within the industry rather than relying exclusively on external technology providers.
For rail infrastructure managers, train operators and suppliers, access to employees who understand both AI systems and railway operations could become increasingly important as digital technologies are introduced into established engineering and operational processes.
Apprentices gain experience across the industry
The new apprentices will combine specialist training with placements that expose them to the practical application of artificial intelligence in a railway environment.
The approach is intended to help participants understand how AI can be applied responsibly within an industry where safety, reliability and operational assurance are essential.
AI apprentice Kirsty Duenas said: “I’m so excited that the AI scheme has given me the opportunity to learn about and see how AI is used in ways I didn’t even think of.
“I enjoy seeing it in action in the industry and it’s great to become involved with using it in that way.”
The industry-wide structure of the programme is significant because AI applications are likely to involve multiple disciplines, from engineering and maintenance to operations and customer services.
Developing apprentices with experience across organisational boundaries could help improve collaboration and support the transfer of knowledge between different parts of the railway.
Part of wider Great British Railways skills investment
The AI apprenticeship scheme forms part of a broader effort to strengthen the rail industry’s future workforce as preparations continue for the establishment of Great British Railways.
The Department for Transport recently announced plans for up to 600 young people aged between 16 and 21 to join a new GBR rail foundation apprenticeship programme over the next four years.
The first cohort of that programme will be based in Derby.
Together, the initiatives are intended to strengthen the industry’s skills pipeline, combining traditional railway knowledge with capabilities in emerging technologies.
Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy said: “We’re investing in the future talent and expertise that will bring the rail network into the 21st century.
“These AI apprenticeships, alongside the new GBR rail foundation apprenticeships, mark the start of a new era for the sector as we work to set up Great British Railways, one where cutting-edge technology and skilled people work hand in hand to transform how our railway runs.
“This is about investing in the railway of tomorrow and I’m proud to welcome this talented first cohort on board.”
Developing the capability to adopt AI safely
The launch comes as railway organisations increasingly explore how AI could support more efficient maintenance, improved asset intelligence and better operational performance.
However, applying these technologies in a safety-critical environment presents challenges beyond those faced in many other industries.
AI systems must be introduced with appropriate oversight, reliable data, clear accountability and an understanding of the operational consequences of their use.
Developing employees who can assess the suitability of AI applications, understand their limitations and work alongside railway engineers and operational specialists will therefore be important.
For the wider rail supply chain, the programme also highlights the growing demand for digital engineering skills and the potential for closer collaboration between technology specialists and established railway organisations.
Although GBRX has not specified the number of apprentices in the initial cohort, the programme represents a longer-term investment in the skills required to support technological change.
By combining structured learning with practical railway experience, GBRX aims to establish a sustainable source of AI expertise capable of supporting the industry’s digital transformation.
The first cohort marks an initial step in that process, with the effectiveness of the approach ultimately depending on how the skills developed translate into practical improvements across Britain’s railway.
