Learning & Development Assistant Apprentice

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

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

We are looking for an enthusiastic and well-organised individual to join our People & Culture team as an Apprentice Data Assistant. This is an exciting opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a dynamic environment, offering support to a crucial department within our organisation.

Your main responsibilities will be:

• Provide day-to-day administrative support to the People & Culture team.
• Create and update spreadsheets and produce reports using Power Bi
• Attend meetings and take notes, minutes and actions.
• Assist with document management, electronic filing systems and data entry tasks.
• Support internal communication by liaising with team members and other departments.
• Respond to routine enquiries and provide accurate information to colleagues.

You'll need to have:

• Good working knowledge of a range of IT systems and packages especially with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook
• 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

Overline House is conveniently situated overlooking Southampton Central Station and is easily accessible by public transport. The station is very local to West Quay, a hub for retailers and restaurants, and provides an excellent link between London, Coastal areas and the Isle of Wight.

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.

https://exceptionalindividuals.com/neurodiversity/

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