For Network Rail, apprenticeships play an important role in developing future talent, while giving learners the opportunity to build practical skills and gain experience across the organisation.

One of those learners is Katie Abrahams, a Finance Apprentice who has progressed from AAT to studying CIMA as part of her Level 3-7 Finance Apprenticeship with Kaplan.

Through placements across Network Rail, Katie has gained experience across different areas of the business while working towards her long-term ambition of becoming a finance business partner.

For Kerry Roberts, Graduate and Apprentice Programme Manager at Network Rail, experiences like Katie’s demonstrate the value apprenticeships can bring to both learners and the organisation.

In this article, Kerry and Katie share how Network Rail supports its apprentices, the impact they can have across the organisation, and how the programme is helping develop the finance talent of the future.

Developing finance talent through experience

Katie joined Network Rail after completing a Level 2 AAT qualification through another apprenticeship. She wanted to continue her studies while gaining practical experience and exploring the career opportunities available within finance.

“I hoped that I would be able to complete all levels of AAT and pursue CIMA, with a final goal of becoming a finance business partner.”

As part of her apprenticeship, Katie has completed placements across group, functional, regional and route teams. She is currently working with the Central Route finance team and is preparing to join Network Rail’s Counter Fraud team.

These placements have given Katie the opportunity to see how different areas of finance operate and how they contribute to wider objectives.

“I’ve also built a deeper understanding of how each team works with each other to progress towards business goals while rotating through various placements.”

This wider exposure is an important part of Network Rail’s approach to apprenticeships. Alongside their core roles, apprentices have opportunities to learn more about the wider railway, including shadowing operational and engineering teams.

By seeing how different parts of the organisation work together, apprentices can build a stronger understanding of the wider business and the role they can play within it.

Supporting apprentices throughout their journey

A successful apprenticeship requires more than balancing work and study. At Network Rail, Katie has access to support from colleagues across the business, helping her navigate her placements alongside her studies.

“I always go into a placement outlining my college requirements for the timeframe I am with them, which helps with managing expectations from teams and having an open dialogue about the tasks that would be best suited for my professional development and current skill set.”

Kerry highlights how this wider support network helps apprentices throughout their programme.

“The apprenticeship complements the structure and the support provided as they have a talent coach, a placement host, line manager and the new entrants team all available to help them on their journey.”

Katie also receives support from Kaplan alongside her workplace network, particularly when she encounters more challenging areas in her studies.

“Kaplan tutors have been helpful with explaining trickier concepts further and are always happy to answer my study questions, both in and out of the classroom.”

Together, this support helps Katie balance the demands of studying with the experience she is gaining at Network Rail, giving her the confidence to apply what she learns in both settings.

Developing skills beyond finance

Katie’s apprenticeship has also given her opportunities to get involved in activities beyond her formal finance studies.

For a year, she took on the role of apprentice representative, helping to organise development opportunities, site visits and volunteering activities for other apprentices.

“During my apprenticeship I’ve been given many development opportunities which have improved my confidence drastically, such as becoming an apprentice representative and attending industry wide events.”

Taking on the role meant Katie had opportunities to engage with colleagues and professionals from across Network Rail, outside of her immediate team.

“I have improved my confidence with public speaking and interacting with new contacts in the wider business.”

Alongside her role as an apprentice representative, Katie has had to balance these additional responsibilities with her day-to-day work and studies.

“My organisational skills have also improved as I’ve had to make sure my work week is well planned and structured in a way that works for me and my team.”

For Network Rail, opportunities like these allow apprentices to gain experience that complements their formal qualification and supports their wider development.

By taking on responsibilities beyond their day-to-day role, learners can build skills that support them as they progress within the organisation.

Bringing fresh perspectives and business value

The benefits of Network Rail’s apprenticeship programme extend beyond the development of individual learners.

Kerry explains how apprentices can bring a different perspective to established teams and ways of working.

“Apprentices provide valuable additional capacity while also acting as constructive challengers.”

This fresh perspective can lead to practical changes within teams, including opportunities to improve existing processes and introduce new ways of working.

“They frequently identify process improvements and introduce automation; in one example, an apprentice reduced a task from five days to just one. Their contribution is increasingly recognised across the organisation, with more managers asking to host apprentice placements because they can see the value and impact apprentices bring.”

Building a pipeline of future talent

Apprenticeships also play a wider role in Network Rail’s approach to workforce planning.

With one-third of the UK rail workforce aged 50 or over, developing the next generation of skilled employees is an important part of addressing the industry’s future skills needs.

“Apprenticeships help address this by creating a reliable pipeline of future talent.”

This longer-term approach extends beyond the role an apprentice starts in. Within the railway, apprentices are encouraged to build their understanding of different areas of the organisation, including by shadowing operational and engineering teams. This helps them develop a broader, systems-thinking approach to the railway.

Within Finance, Kerry says apprentices are encouraged to think about where their careers could take them as they develop their skills and experience.

“Apprentices are viewed as future leaders, with clear pathways into roles they can progress towards over the next five to ten years and beyond.”

Katie’s experience demonstrates how this approach can give apprentices the opportunity to build experience across different areas while continuing to develop professionally.

A partnership with Kaplan

For Network Rail, developing apprentices successfully also depends on working closely with its training provider. As Kerry explains:

“Our relationship with Kaplan is a genuine partnership.”

Apprentices have regular contact with their talent coaches throughout the programme.

“Regular talent coach calls give apprentices clarity throughout their journey, with a consistent focus on the end-point assessment and the knowledge, skills and behaviours they need to develop.”

Kaplan also provides resources and mock interviews to support apprentices as they prepare for their assessments.

For Kerry, the results demonstrate the impact of this approach.

“All learners are on track, we have a 100% end-point assessment success rate, and our AAT and CIMA exam results are predominantly above the global average across modules.”

Seeing apprentices grow in confidence

While qualifications and business impact are important measures of an apprenticeship programme, Kerry says there is another part of the experience that stands out to her.

“The most rewarding part is seeing apprentices grow in confidence, self-belief and capability.”

Katie reflects on an achievement from her studies.

“One of my proudest achievements has been completing Level 3 and 4 of AAT with no failed exams as it has made me realise that I am capable of continued academic success.”

Her experience as an apprentice representative has also allowed her to take on responsibilities beyond her day-to-day role and contribute to the wider apprentice community.

“I found that these achievements made me feel very fulfilled in my role as a Finance Apprentice.”

Kerry has also seen apprentices develop through their day-to-day experience within the business.

“Over time, their increasing use of professional finance terminology demonstrates their development and maturity.”

Looking ahead

Katie’s apprenticeship journey is still progressing. Her upcoming placement with Network Rail’s Counter Fraud team will give her experience in another area of the organisation, while she continues studying towards her CIMA qualification.

Her long-term ambition is to become a finance business partner, building on the experience she is gaining through the apprenticeship.

For Network Rail, apprenticeships will continue to play an important role in developing future talent, with the organisation also exploring opportunities such as foundation apprenticeships.

“Apprenticeships will continue to be a core part of our workforce planning strategy.”

Katie has some advice for other apprentices based on her experience so far.

“One piece of advice I would give is to never be afraid of asking questions.”

She has found that the support around her has made this easier throughout her apprenticeship.

“I’ve never been made to feel silly for any questions, no matter how small they may be.”

For both Katie and Network Rail, that sense of support is an important part of what makes an apprenticeship work, giving learners the opportunity to ask questions, gain experience, build confidence and develop the skills they need for the future.

Develop your future finance talent with Kaplan

Katie’s journey shows how an apprenticeship can combine professional qualifications with hands-on experience, helping learners build the knowledge, confidence and practical skills to progress their careers.

For employers, apprenticeships can provide a way to develop future talent while bringing new perspectives and skills into the workplace.

Discover Kaplan’s finance apprenticeships to explore how you can support your people to develop their careers while building the finance skills your organisation needs for the future.