Transport for London’s apprenticeships open up a range of careers

157 apprenticeship roles launched across Transport for London this year, including schemes in arboriculture, construction site management and data analysis, as the UK celebrates National Apprenticeship Week
Key engineering opportunities in trams engineering, track engineering, construction site supervision and more also available in 2026
Transport for London welcomed Work and Pensions Secretary, Pat McFadden and Deputy Mayors Seb Dance and Howard Dawber to meet apprentices and talk with TfL’s providers from TfL’s supply chain.
Transport for London (TfL) is celebrating National Apprenticeship week by highlighting the wide range of apprenticeship roles that are available across the organisation.

The opportunities, including some opened earlier this year, span from Level 2 to Level 6 (a Level 2 apprenticeship being the equivalent of five GCSEs, and Level 6 equivalent to achieving a degree), will allow people of all ages and from all walks of life learn on the job while earning. The 157 roles in a variety of locations across the organisation including asset and track maintenance, London Underground escalators, trams engineering and London Underground construction site supervision.

New for 2026 is an apprenticeship as a London Underground Construction Site Supervisor, which will see successful applicants gain hands-on experience overseeing ballasted track renewals and deep Tube renewals across the Tube network. The apprentices will learn to supervise specialist contractors and workers on construction projects, ensuring safety, quality, and efficiency.

TfL is also looking for applicants for their Trams Engineering apprenticeship, seeing a new generation of engineers learn how to keep the vital service running. Last year, London Trams celebrated 25 years of operation in London, supporting more than 17 million journeys across south London each year.

DWP Image - Pat McFadden MP, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Andy Lord, TfL Commissioner at Acton Works
TfL proudly welcomed Work and Pensions Secretary, Pat McFadden, to the Railway Engineering Works in Acton. There, joined by Andy Lord London’s Transport Commissioner and Seb Dance, Deputy Mayor for Transport he saw firsthand how apprentices learn to repair trains and railways and spent time talking to them about their apprenticeships and future careers. The Secretary of State went on to meet Patrick Doig, TfL’s Chief Finance Officer and Howard Dawber, Deputy Mayor for Business and Growth alongside TfL staff and employers from across TfL’s supply chain at the annual TfL Apprenticeship Fair where apprenticeship roles in a wide range of industries are showcased.

Over the years, TfL has taken on thousands of apprentices through its supply chain or through the London Transport Museum and Places for London. All have gained experience and new skills while working on a vast range of projects that help shape London, including Silvertown Tunnel, the Elizabeth line, major road improvements and communication systems for staff working on London Underground.

Places for London Image - construction skills
Lauren, a Systems Technician at Transport for London and former Trams Engineering Apprentice, said: "Growing up in Croydon, I've seen the impact that the Tram network has every day. Being able to work for a world-renowned network and make a difference to my local community at the same time is a rare opportunity."

Kyra, a Project Controls Apprentice at Transport for London, said: "My biggest achievement would be looking after the Waterloo and City schedule. As an apprentice, you don't expect to be trusted to lead something like this, so for the team to give me a chance meant a lot to me."

Mia, a Building Services Apprentice at Transport for London, said: "As a Building Services Apprentice, I have enjoyed working in a team with experienced engineers to develop my industry knowledge whilst also strengthening my professional and teamwork skills. In the last few months, I have learned so much about the various stages, people, and systems involved in improving London's transport network. I look forward to engaging with many more opportunities!"

Andy Lord, London’s Transport Commissioner, said: “We are delighted to once again have fantastic apprenticeship opportunities available to people from all backgrounds and at various qualifications. Our award-winning apprenticeship schemes are helping people at all stages of their careers learn new skills while earning so they in turn can help us take the industry further.

“Our schemes, and those offered through our supply chain are a great way for people to get their footing in their chosen careers. Apprenticeships are for people of all ages – whether they’re leaving school or looking to change career after several years – I encourage everyone to see the range of placements we have on offer to see if a new opportunity with us could work for them."

Work and Pensions Secretary, Pat McFadden, said: "Every young person deserves the chance to build a rewarding career, and apprenticeships like these at TfL show what investing in young people can achieve.

“These 157 apprenticeships are launchpads for young people’s future careers.

“This government is creating thousands more apprenticeship opportunities for young people so even more can take that crucial first step in their career, as well as our Youth Guarantee which will give all every young person the chance to earn or learn.”

Howard Dawber, Deputy Mayor for Business & Growth said: “National Apprenticeships Week is a fantastic opportunity for people of all ages and backgrounds to explore apprenticeships in a wide range of sectors, including transport. Apprenticeships are deeply valuable both for employers and Londoners, helping to meet current skills gaps and drive economic growth, as well as providing great opportunities to continue to learn whilst also earning. TfL offers a wide range of roles supporting its vital work across London – from the Underground or London Transport Museum to road systems and its property company Places for London. I urge Londoners to get involved and see where an apprenticeship could take you, whatever career stage you’re at.”

TfL remains dedicated to improving diversity across the transport industry and is working hard to bring more women and people from ethnic minority backgrounds into roles at all levels. Through its work to encourage women to consider engineering roles, TfL has seen an increase in the proportion of women joining TfL apprenticeships from 20 per cent in 2018 to 35 per cent in 2025. Specifically in 2024, 34 per cent of apprentices that joined TfL’s engineering apprenticeships were women.

Additionally, 57 per cent of TfL’s apprentices are from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, compared to 35 per cent in 2018. By supporting a variety of people into transport, TfL is helping to future-proof the wider industry, encouraging new and diverse thinking, and making it more sustainable in the long term.

TfL's supplier skills programme also looks to connect existing and future apprentices with roles across its UK-wide supply chain, helping people looking for a potential apprenticeship role among companies in all corners of the country as well as London. By doing so, apprentices not only gain the vital skills needed to keep transport running but also can help support wider economic growth right across the UK. TfL supported suppliers to create over 442 apprenticeship starts in 2024/25 and showing how TfL and its supply chain is committed to improving diversity across the board, 74 per cent of the successful applicants were from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic background and 21 per cent of candidates were female.