Customer Service Apprentice

South Western News UK; Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional railway company is offering an apprenticeship to help improve customer experiences. Candidates will work in a collaborative environment, showcasing brand values while handling customer needs. Desired qualities include a positive attitude and good communication skills. This role offers a competitive salary alongside benefits such as travel perks and full training.

Benefits

Free duty and leisure travel

75% discount on train services

Excellent pension scheme

Qualifications

• Positive team player with initiative.
• High level of accuracy and confidentiality.
• Collaborative approach within a diverse team.

Responsibilities

• Showcase SWR brand values and promises.
• Deliver improvements for customers.
• Anticipate customers' needs.

Skills

Team player

Attention to detail

Confidentiality

Communication

Education

Predicted or achieved Grade C/4 in English and Maths

Job description

Please note you will need to be aged 16–18 on 1 September 2026 to be considered for this opportunity.

About SWR

South Western Railway (SWR) operates over 1,500 services each weekday across the network and employs more than 5,000 people. We provide easy and convenient mobility, connecting people and communities in South West London, southern counties of England, and the Isle of Wight.

Join our team and help us continue to bring people together to get the most out of life.

About the job

To provide the skills, knowledge and behaviours to be able to provide all of our customers with a quality end to end customer experience and make a positive contribution to the communities we serve. Our Apprenticeship provides the perfect way to earn while you gain paramount work experience and nationally recognised qualifications.

Your responsibilities

• Know the purpose of the business and what SWR ‘brand values and promises are and proudly showcase them.
• Help deliver improvements for our customers.
• Understand the different needs and priorities of our customers.
• Whenever possible anticipate our customers' needs.
• Build trust with our customers.
• Treat internal and external customers as individuals to provide a personalised customer service experience.
• Proactively promote our products and services.

Your requirements

• A positive team player who has a ‘can-do' attitude and shows initiative
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality
• Ability to work collaboratively within a diverse team and treat all colleagues with dignity and respect.
• The capacity to ensure a high degree of accuracy and quality, whilst adhering to procedure.
• Demonstrates flexibility in approach to the job to ensure that duties are properly performed and to meet the operational demands of the business

Desirable

• Predicted or achieved Grade C/4 or above in English and Maths, or Level 2 Functional Skills.
• A desire to pursue a career in the railway industry.
• Flexibility – this apprenticeship may involve early or late shifts and travel to other areas on our network.
• Excellent communication, with the ability to motivate and inspire a team.
• Proactive and adaptable approach to problem-solving, with a keen eye for detail.
• Willingness to undergo training and development to enhance skills and knowledge in the role.
• A dedication to upholding the company's values and delivering exceptional service.

About the location

The location for this role will be based on where the successful candidate is located.

Working pattern

Working an average of 37 hours per week over 5 days

The Reward

In return we offer a competitive salary and a variety of valuable benefits, including:

• Free duty and leisure travel on SWR services for employees
• Free leisure travel for spouse/partner and dependants (criteria dependent)
• 75% discount on many other train operating companies
• Full training and support with development
• Excellent pension scheme

We all belong at SWR. Our vision is to provide an inclusive environment for all colleagues, ensuring all candidates have an equal opportunity to access meaningful employment.

We value our differences such as age, gender, LGBTQIA+, ethnicity, religion, and disability. We maintain a zero tolerance towards any form of prejudice towards our colleagues, customers, and future talent.

We celebrate and encourage diversity of thought, progressive ways of working and seeing all our colleagues grow and thrive.

If you require additional support to complete your application due to a disability or neurodivergent condition, for example, dyslexia, dyspraxia, or autism, please follow the links below. We encourage you to share any additional needs you may require so we can provide a fair and equal process for all who apply.

We encourage you to share any additional needs you may require so we can provide a fair and equal process for all who apply.

Note: external links have been omitted from this description.