Careers across the infrastructure sector are being championed as National Apprenticeship Week gets under way.

Running from February 10-14, the 18th annual celebration of apprenticeships and skills turns the spotlight on the contributions they make to businesses and communities.

And hundreds of opportunities are on offer – with HS2, Transport for London (TfL) and the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) among those looking to recruit.

TfL is launching 175 apprenticeship places across its organisation with new roles starting from September this year.

Since 2009, 9,700 apprentice roles have been created through TfL and its UK supply chain – supporting major projects such as the delivery of the Silvertown Tunnel

Applicants can choose from a range of roles in track and asset maintenance, technology and data, sustainability and in roles supporting TfL’s major projects.

The opportunities span from Level 2 to Level 6, with a Level 2 apprenticeship being the equivalent of 5 GCSEs and Level 6 equivalent to achieving a degree.

On successful completion of the apprenticeship, all apprentices will receive an industry recognised qualification in their area of expertise as well as invaluable work experience, helping to put their new knowledge into practice.

The proportion of women joining TfL apprenticeships has risen from 20% in 2018 to 28% in 2024. 

TfL is hosting an event on 28 February where interested people can learn more about its apprenticeship options, with the opportunity to talk to current apprentices about the different roles TfL offer. Click here to register.

The Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) has already passed the halfway mark in its ambition to take on 590 apprentices across the entire duration of the programme.

Since 2019, 346 apprentices have been employed on TRU, with apprenticeships embedded in almost every facet of the programme.

From engineering to sustainability and from project management to construction, apprentices are integral to the day-to-day operations of TRU – a multi-billion-pound railway programme that will transform journeys across the North.

Some 230 of the 346 apprentices are classed as new entrants, meaning an apprenticeship with TRU is their first employed role.

David Bassett, apprentice and graduate programmes manager for TRU, said: “This week serves as the perfect moment for us to reflect on the progress we’ve made in our recruitment of ambitious, driven apprentices and the impact they are having on not just TRU, but the industry as a whole, given the size of the programme.

“To have passed the halfway mark of our overall target at this point is a huge milestone, and we’d encourage anyone that is considering an apprenticeship to see what the Transpennine Route Upgrade has on offer.”

To find our more about TRU apprenticeships, click here.

HS2 has also announced it is searching for 40 new apprentices to help support Britain's high-speed railway.

More than 1,800 people have already secured an apprenticeship on the project, with a total of 31,000 people now working on the programme.

Recruitment for this year’s apprentice intake has opened – with 16 apprenticeship opportunities up for grabs with HS2 in project management and quantity surveying.

A further 24 apprenticeships are being made available across HS2’s supply chain.

The HS2 Ltd vacancies are open to anyone who has achieved or is expected to achieve five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English and maths. Roles will be based in HS2 offices and sites in London, Birmingham and Milton Keynes.

Candidates have until 23 March to submit an application for HS2’s 2025 apprenticeship opportunities. Click here for details.

For more information about National Apprenticeship Week click here

You can also search and apply for apprenticeship vacancies via the government's Find An Apprenticeship service. 

Or vist the ACE Careers Hub for more advice on skills and training.