Project Manager Apprentice

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

The South Western Railway (SWR) Major Projects and Change Directorate supports our wider business to successfully deliver all project, change and improvement initiatives.

Your main responsibilities will be:

• Providing a Centre of Excellence for all change initiatives
• Acting as the central hub that governs all project activity
• Overseeing the planning and implementation of all aspects relating to Projects
• Supporting our senior leadership team to effectively deliver programmes of work that involve elements of significant change
• Overseeing the planning, execution and completion of specific organisational initiatives
• Ensuring projects meet set goals, timelines and budgets
• Coordinating resources, managing risks and ensuring alignment with wider business strategy
• Driving all business areas to identify and implement improvement opportunities

The Projects and Change Apprentice will develop their skills in project and change management, and continuous improvement facilitation, with exposure to all aspects of programme delivery touching every part of our business and delivering benefits for our customers, colleagues and industry partners. Your key responsibilities will include: 

• Working with the Project Managers to understand the challenges with project delivery and action planning associated mitigations and solutions
• Understand the complexities of wide programme oversight and governance, analysing and interpreting data to create meaningful management information and insight
• Working with key stakeholders to identify risks and opportunities and address inefficiencies in existing processes, recommending innovative solutions for optimisation
• Developing an understanding the entire project ‘lifecycle' in our business, taking opportunities to experience involvement in the observation and execution of each phase
• Collaboration with stakeholders in the wider business, learning to identify how effective engagement drives success and fosters a continuous improvement culture
• Building of positive productive relationships with stakeholders outside our business, to effectively influence outcomes

The training you will receive:

• Based in our Project Management Office (PMO) you will shadow existing project specialists, to learn all aspects of project management, leadership, oversight and governance in our business.
• This will include an opportunity to lead smaller project activity and / or play a key supporting role in a larger programme of work, dealing with issues that may require swift problem solving or re-occurring challenges that require greater analysis.
• You will have the opportunity for training, leading to an introductory project management qualification.
• You will be given the opportunity to work with all the specialist teams within the Projects and Change directorate, learning about, and becoming equipped to implement, a range of effective project and change management approaches and tools.

You'll need:

• Predicted to or achieved Grade C/4 or above in English and Maths, or Level 2 Functional Skills.
• Flexibility – this apprenticeship may involve early or late shifts and travel to other areas on our network.
• Excellent communication - the successful applicant will be personable and have the confidence to maintain effective working relationships.
• Proactive and adaptable approach to problem-solving, with a keen eye for detail.
• Good knowledge of IT systems - specific training of industry systems will be given.
• High level of numeracy, literacy, and good analytical skills.

Working pattern

You will work an average of 37 hours per week.

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/