New cohort to develop skills for responsible AI adoption across the rail industry, based in York and London.
By The SME Chronicle Newsroom
••3 min read
AI
Generic image of an empty railway platform with tracks disappearing into the distance under a station canopy.
The first cohort of Artificial Intelligence Engineering Apprentices has joined Britain's railway, aiming to develop crucial skills for the safe and responsible adoption of AI across the industry.
The new apprentices, based in York and London, will combine specialist learning with hands-on experience. This initiative supports the wider adoption of AI within the rail sector.
The programme follows the 'Artificial Intelligence in Rail: The Industry Action Plan' presented by GBRX, the strategic technology and innovation body for Great British Railways. This plan identified capability as a key constraint for AI adoption.
GBRX has also set clear priorities for AI's impact and established the AI Incubator Accelerator (AIIA) to connect expertise and deliver the Action Plan. The apprentices' placements will be coordinated through the AIIA, strengthening capability across the sector.
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"I'm so excited that the AI scheme has given me the opportunity to learn about and see how AI is used in ways I didn't even think of. I enjoy seeing it in action in the industry and it's great to become involved with using it in that way."
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"We're investing in the future talent and expertise that will bring the rail network into the 21st century. These AI apprenticeships, alongside the new GBR rail foundation apprenticeships, mark the start of a new era for the sector as we work to set up Great British Railways, where cutting-edge technology and skilled people work hand in hand to transform how our railway runs. This is about investing in the railway of tomorrow and I'm proud to welcome this talented first cohort on board."
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"A plan on paper will not deliver our ambition, capability is the constraint and the action we are taking responds to that. We launched the AI apprenticeship programme to create sustainable skills for the future bringing together a unique blend of expertise in both AI and rail. Now, just five months later, I am proud to say that the first cohort of AI apprentices has joined Britain’s railway."
The programme also supports the government’s wider drive to strengthen the rail skills pipeline. The Department for Transport recently announced that up to 600 young people aged 16 to 21 will join a new Great British Railways rail foundation apprenticeship over the next four years, with the first cohort based in Derby.
A total of 20 apprentices started on Tuesday 22 September 2026, forming two cohorts based in York and London. This initiative also highlights the collaborative efforts between Network Rail, the DFTO, and the wider industry to build essential skills for the future Great British Railways organisation.
Based on information from the official source: Network Rail (22/10/2026)
