An apprentice from Oldham who decided to make a major career shift has spoken out about the excitement of working on the railway.
Connor Greasley, 29, began a Level 3 Engineering Apprenticeship with Network Rail in October 2021.
It came after he decided to take a new direction and build a career through hands-on learning.
As National Apprenticeship Week 2026 begins, Network Rail is highlighting apprentices across the country who are developing the skills needed to maintain, improve and future-proof Britain’s railway.
Connor said: “I joined the scheme at a real crossroads in my life. I didn’t have qualifications beyond GCSEs and knew an apprenticeship was the right way forward.
“I now work in signalling maintenance at Stockport as part of a combined faulting and maintenance team. We maintain a range of signalling assets and respond to faults as they arise, so no two days are the same.
“After completing the Level 3 apprenticeship, I considered the Level 6. Support and encouragement from colleagues and managers gave me the confidence to go for it.
“My focus now is on building my knowledge and progressing into a technician role. Being part of a large, multi-discipline cohort has shown me the range of opportunities available, and I’m excited about what’s ahead at Network Rail.”
Apprentices play a vital role in maintaining and modernising the railway. In the past year, Network Rail has welcomed just under 300 new joiners into its apprenticeship programmes. This forms part of the organisation’s wider commitment to developing skilled talent, with 1,780 apprentices recruited during the last five years.
