Guards Manager Apprentice

South Western News UK; Salisbury; On-site; GBP 10,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading transportation company is looking for an enthusiastic apprentice to join their team. You'll receive comprehensive training while overseeing daily front-line operations and ensuring safety and exceptional customer service. This role includes leading a team, conducting visibility checks, and supporting staff development. A passion for the railway industry and strong communication skills are essential. Flexibility with working hours and travel is required. A competitive salary and benefits are offered.

Benefits

Free duty and leisure travel on SWR services

Free leisure travel for spouse/partner and dependants

75% discount on other train companies

Full training and support with development

Excellent pension scheme

Qualifications

• Flexibility with shifts and travel required.
• Willingness to undergo training and development.

Responsibilities

• Lead and motivate Guards for optimal safety and service.
• Conduct visibility checks to ensure customer service.
• Support ongoing development of Guards through training.

Skills

Desire to pursue a career in the railway industry

Excellent communication

Proactive problem-solving

Adaptability

Job description

Overview

For this apprenticeship, you will need to be aged 18+ years on the 1st September 2026.

Who are we?

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

As an apprentice in this safety-critical role, you will receive comprehensive support from your depot manager and the On-Train team to effectively oversee the day-to-day front-line operations of Guards and Commercial Guards. Your primary focus will be on ensuring the highest standards of safety, punctuality, and customer service are consistently maintained.

Your main responsibilities will be:

• Team Leadership and Motivation: Lead and motivate Guards to consistently achieve optimal levels of train safety, punctuality, and customer service excellence.
• On-TrainVisibility Checks: Conduct regular out-of-hours visibility checks to ensure Guards deliver exceptional on-train customer service, addressing any issues promptly.
• Training andDevelopment: Support the ongoing development of Guards by providing both online and practical training sessions, nurturing their skills and competencies throughout their careers.
• Supporting Guards Management: Assist the Guards Management team during on-call duties, attending relevant training courses to effectively handle safety of the line and operational incidents.
• Exemplifying Company Values: Serve as a shining example of the company's values and behaviours, embodying a commitment to excellence in service delivery. Uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity in all interactions with team members and customers alike.
• You will undergo thorough Guards training, ensuring you maintain the highest level of competency. This will involve regular assessments and practical train working to continuously enhance your proficiency.
• Work towards achieving an assessor's qualification, enabling you to assess Guards' adherence to safety-critical competencies. You will collaborate with them to develop action plans for improving standards where necessary.
• Develop a strong understanding of the operational transport service, including its targets, obligations, infrastructure, and assets. This knowledge will provide you with a holistic view of the industry landscape.
• The apprenticeship standard places emphasis on four key themes: Safety, Quality, Customer Service, and Management. You will undergo specialised training to cultivate skills and competencies in these critical areas.
• Attend 14 face-to-face teaching days or online sessions approximately every 4 weeks, covering apprenticeship standard content. This structured and immersive training programme aims to provide you with a solid foundation for success in your role, ensuring you are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and qualifications necessary to thrive in the dynamic railway operations environment.

You'll need

• 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 to customers.

As this is a safety-critical position, you will need to pass a pre-employment medical that includes testing for hearing and eyesight. You must meet a minimum standard to be successful for the role.

Working pattern

You will work an average of 37 hours per week. Shift times vary and you will need to be flexible with your availability.

Please note that the location is to be confirmed and will align with the depot closest to the successful candidate on the SWR network

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.

https://exceptionalindividuals.com/neurodiversity/

https://www.healthassured.org/blog/neurodiversity/