We're TransPennine Express and we're going places. Whether that's helping customers reach their destination, or ensuring our colleagues feel fulfilled and supported in their careers. We're looking for people with drive and enthusiasm to join our amazing team and help push for more progress within the rail industry. We look forward to meeting new faces and eager minds, ready to join our mission of creating a better-connected network in the North and Scotland, for good.

About us

There's plenty of reasons to get onboard with a career at TransPennine Express. While we're working towards the best possible rail network for the North and Scotland, we're also working towards becoming the best employer in our industry. 

At TransPennine Express, it's our goal to help people reach their full potential. Our northern routes, have northern roots, meaning we don't just serve communities across northern England and Scotland, we are one. If making folks crack a smile helps you feel at home, and raising standards is your second nature, we'd love to have you hop onboard.

Ready to jumpstart your future and gain real-world experience with one of the UK's most exciting rail operators? We've got eight apprenticeship roles available this year, including:

• 2 specialist roles one in IT and one in Marketing
• 6 places on our Express Start apprenticeship

What's Express Start'?

Think of it as your all-access pass to the rail industry. Over the course of the programme, you'll rotate through different departments, discovering how we operate behind the scenes — from planning to platforms and much more.

It's the perfect way to get a feel for different career paths, build new skills, and figure out where you shine. You won't be stuck in one place — you'll learn loads, meet a variety of teams, and leave with a clearer idea of what your future could look like. Plus, it's a great way to grow your confidence, communication, and problem-solving skills.

IT Apprenticeship: Tech That Moves the North

If you're into problem-solving, technology, and want to work on systems that keep trains running and customers informed, our IT apprenticeship is for you. You'll work with cutting-edge systems, support real digital solutions, and build tech skills that are valuable across any industry.  You'll engage in a structured rotation across key IT departments, including Service Desk, Infrastructure, Applications and Cyber Security.   You'll develop a comprehensive understanding of how each function contributes to the overall success of the IT department in a train operating company, equipping you with the skills and insights necessary to thrive in the rail industry's technology landscape!

Marketing Apprenticeship: Creativity with Real Impact

Want to help shape how the public sees and experiences our brand? As a Marketing apprentice, you'll get involved in campaigns, social media, branding, and events. You'll help produce and manage content for social media, websites, and other digital platforms.  You'll work closely with the marketing team to ensure everything adheres to our brand guidelines and connects with our audience. It's hands-on, creative, and you'll see your work come to life across the network!

Start your journey here

At TPE, we believe in creating space for everyone to succeed — just as they are.
So if you're ready to be yourself, raise the bar, pull together with a great team, and make someone's day, your journey starts here

 Why our apprenticeships stand out:

• Learn on the job: You'll gain real experience while studying — and get paid while you do it.
• Explore your options: Our Express Start apprenticeship gives you the chance to try out different roles across the business. You'll work with different teams, in different environments, to discover what suits you best.
• Work on real projects: You won't be making tea or sitting on the sidelines — you'll be part of the action, contributing to key projects and seeing the impact of your work.
• Be treated like a team member: At TPE we Pull Together. Apprentices are respected and supported like any other colleague — your ideas matter here.
• Grow your skills: From technical know-how to confidence, communication, and teamwork, you'll build a toolbox of skills for future success.
• Connect and grow: You'll join a community of other apprentices to support and share best practice with each other, learn new skills designed to help you grow personally and professionally.
• Learn from the best: You'll be supported by experienced professionals who know the industry inside out.
• Open doors: With support, training, and career guidance, your apprenticeship could be the first step to a full-time role — and a future with real progression.
• Make a Difference: You'll be part of a company that helps connect millions of people across the North and Scotland. What you do here matters — and you'll feel proud of it.

What you'll be studying

Apprenticeship Level 3

An apprenticeship is a fantastic way to earn while you learn and gain a recognised qualification.  You'll be supported by a professional training provider who will guide you throughout the duration of your studies.  You'll have time set aside from your working week to complete your learning. 

What does this look like?

You will attend workshops, meet with your tutor for feedback and to discuss progress, use an online platform to complete pieces of work and put this into practice in your day-to-day work activities.

How long the study lasts

Around 12-15 months.  We're here to give you the best possible learning experience — with time set aside each week for study and plenty of chances to apply what you're learning in real-world situations. In return, we expect you to be committed to your own growth, stay on track with your learning and ready to make the most of every opportunity.

Need to know information

• Where there may be occasional opportunities to work from home once you've settled in, the apprentice role is primarily based on-site. This means spending most of your time either at our offices, visiting depots or stations, or engaging directly with customers on platform or on our trains. This will offer you valuable hands-on experience allowing you to apply your learning in real-world settings and build essential skills like problem solving, communication and teamwork. These experiences are crucial for your professional growth and will help you develop a strong foundation for your career.
• Contracted hours for this role will be 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday, mainly based at our Head Office, in Manchester City Centre, a short walk from Oxford Road station, with the potential for travel across the network.
• Interviews will be scheduled on w/c 21 July
• Salary £17,587
• Starting date 08th Sept 2025

What we're looking for!

We're looking for a friendly, enthusiastic, responsible, and helpful team player with a passion for problem solving and delivering excellent customer service. You'll have good IT skills and an interest in new systems.

You'll need to be self-disciplined and committed to putting pride and effort into everything you do. You'll find yourself learning lots of new and interesting things, but you'll have the ability and mind set to deal with anything that comes your way. As you will be working with a variety of different colleagues, we are looking for someone with effective communication skills and a helpful team player with a passion for problem solving. Being able to spot problems and think creatively will benefit you in this position, a keen eye for detail is also a must.

What we offer

• Excellent career prospects.
• A personal development plan
• Structured training and development
• Competitive salary paid on 4 weekly basis
• Up to 25 days paid annual leave plus bank holidays
• Free TransPennine Express rail travel for you and your dependants*.
• Travel discounts of up to 75% off other train operating companies including international rail travel after 1 years' service*
• Friends & family rail travel offers*
• Free & Confidential Employee Assistance Program and Wellbeing Portal 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help you with any finance, family, health, or wellbeing issues you have.
• Option to join Final Salary Pension Scheme
• High street discounts and a cycle to work scheme*

 *Terms and conditions apply

Goings places has never felt better!

At TransPennine Express, it's our goal to help people reach their full potential. We offer the opportunity to not just join the transformation of the rail industry, but to lead it. Our values are designed with every team member in mind; whether it's ensuring you feel free to be yourself at work, or encouraging everyone to pull together and support each other. We promise to value our people for the individuals they are. Whichever department becomes your destination, from the tip of the train, to the tail, our only focus is heading at full speed into the future. So, if making people crack a smile helps you feel at home, and raising standards is second nature to you, we'd love to have you onboard.