Differnce between an apprenticeship and a trainee

[Matteo1988]

Hi I've seen a vacancy for apprentichip train driver this month but in terms of the job what's the difference between an apprentichip and a trainee.

 

[387star]

Nothing substantial
An apprentice simply has to (possibly) attend a basic numeracy and literacy course that's got nothing to do with train driving
It's simply a money earner for the Government and a a way to suppress wages by reducing the opportunity for Qualifieds

 

[LowLevel]

In practical terms very little - but if you don't have formal secondary level qualifications in things like Maths or IT an apprenticeship will usually put you through college to achieve them alongside your work related training, it also has certain standards and structures for the delivery of your training and ongoing personal development.

 

[Matteo1988]

thanks for the answers , I have a bachelor degree got in Italy,is it better looking for a apprenticeship or a trainee?I have some questions about all the process ,for example if you pass all the tests and the year course, you get the position as train driver or you finish into the talent pool?
I live in Milton keynes what railways should I keep an eye?thanks

 

[Unobrow]

thanks for the answers , I have a bachelor degree got in Italy,is it better looking for a apprenticeship or a trainee?I have some questions about all the process ,for example if you pass all the tests and the year course, you get the position as train driver or you finish into the talent pool?
I live in Milton keynes what railways should I keep an eye?thanks

I don’t think there’s any difference in the two as far as the trainee is concerne, except for some obligations through the apprenticeship like functional skills if needed and regular assessments through those too (but nothing you’d need to worry about). You’ll still be paid the trainee wage as per that particular company. If you get to start the course, you’ll be learning to become a driver, so after your classroom anmd practical handling training assessments, that’s what you’ll be. The talent pool is only for holding people who’ve passed the initial OPC/DMI etc and are waiting hopefully for a space on a course to be offered to them. That to be honest, is the more usual route.

 

[TheVicLine]

thanks for the answers , I have a bachelor degree got in Italy,is it better looking for a apprenticeship or a trainee?I have some questions about all the process ,for example if you pass all the tests and the year course, you get the position as train driver or you finish into the talent pool?
I live in Milton keynes what railways should I keep an eye?thanks

Upon successful completion of the trainee drivers course you will be offered the position of drain driver, you will not go into a talent pool.

 

[Stigy]

It’s just a funding thing. A train driver is a train driver and once licenced, has that qualification. Certain apprenticeships do effectively constitute a degree, but as apprenticeships go, this is probably one of the less useful ones.

 

[HeelBurton]

I agree with the comments here as previously posted. Some companies demand a certain level of qualifications that you need on start, where the apprentice trainee driver positions usually will come with an “optional” commitment to functional skills (you can opt out at some places after initial registering) with the functional skills you have to report back to the apprenticeship scheme throughout the training to update them on your progress whilst carrying out an end point assessment after you qualify. It works alongside your drivers course and the TOC will support you because they get finance depending on your completion.

Milton Keynes I would say Aylesbury has vacancies at Chiltern ongoing throughout 2026, west mids is another local Toc but not sure they are recruiting

 

[Taunton]

It used to be that an "Apprentice" provided a structured, more broad understanding of an industry, so in rail operation it might include driving, in the workshop, in the stores, rostering in the office, given little design tasks to come up with a solution on, etc, and examination in each of these. Very long ago there were Premium Apprentices, who were not only unpaid but whose parents had to pay quite a sum to be there, in addition to all this, a practical version of a well-run technical college. Many of the more senior managers across the industry would have started off this way, and a number have written books about it. If you spent some days off riding on the footplate with your pass, and other interest in the job outside hours, it was viewed positively and noted.

A trainee was straight learning about a job.

 

[WAB]

You can get all sorts of interesting and valuable apprenticeships on the railway these days.

Take a look at this JD from SWR as an example:

Readiness & Resilience Leadership Apprentice​

Your main responsibilities will be:

• Support whole SWR/NR Wessex readiness for major events
• Assist the development of the SWR/NR Wessex testing and exercise regime
• Assist the function as required in times of crisis, e.g. by acting as a trained loggist within the Crisis Management Team.
• Ensure actions are properly documented and updated
• Attend industry meetings as required to ensure Readiness & Resilience representation
• Support with the production of various operational and resilience documentation
• Assist with lessons learned activity post major events
• Support command and control for pre planned events, e.g. as a “command team advisor”

Role specific development

In addition to an excellent Apprentice Development Programme, the post holder will also be provided with role specific training and development, e.g. accredited training with the Business Continuity Institute.

 

[AndySV1K]

It gives the company funds towards the training costs from the government. So it’s simply a way to reduce costs.
There are apprenticeship tasks to do during the training process, like the maths and English exams if you can’t produce previous test results. Then after you’ve passed out there is a final 5 hour assessment for the apprenticeship scheme. Certainly don’t get put off applying because it’s an apprenticeship as it makes very little difference to the actual trainee.