Meet Max, one of our alumni who works as an Operations Manager for London Overground – Transport For London (TfL). We caught up with Max for an update on life after his apprenticeship.
Reflecting On His Apprenticeship Journey
1. What inspired you to apply for the TfL apprenticeship?
I’ve always had a passion for transport in general. When I was in school doing a- levels, I didn’t want to do university at all because I thought university wasn’t the best option for me. I wanted to go straight into the working world.
2. What did a typical day look like?
In my role, we did eight six-month rotations across different areas of the business, including Cycle Hire, Project Management, London Overground, Trade Unions and many more. The rotations helped us learn more about the business. People always assume TfL only manage buses and trains, but in reality, we are the world’s largest integrated transport company and keep London moving.
Our apprenticeship was hybrid working with University being in person every Friday. On the average day, I worked on developing solutions, chairing meetings, engaging with stakeholders, managing budgets, and growing my managerial/leadership skills. It was incredibly diverse, requiring both strategic thinking and collaboration. Beyond day-to-day tasks, it was also about being a team player and ensuring projects were seen through from start to completion.
3. What were some of the most exciting projects or tasks you worked on?
One of my most exciting projects was my End-Point Assessment (EPA), which I completed to earn my Chartered Management qualification. For this, I came up with the idea of implementing TfL’s first-ever Pride trains for the Elizabeth line and London Overground which was something that had never been done before.
As an ally to our LGBTQ+ Outbound Colleague Network Group, I noticed that, unlike other train companies in the UK, we didn’t yet have a Pride train in our fleet to represent our staff and customers. Given TfL’s strong LGBTQ+ colleague network, I saw an opportunity to collaborate and bring this idea to life.
4. What kind of support did you receive from your employer and training provider?
The support available throughout my experience has been absolutely faultless. At the University of Kent, I had an academic sponsor who met with me and my line manager quarterly and was always available when needed. Lecturers provided ongoing support, helping with coursework and clarifying lecture content. The Kent Student Learning Advisory Service was also invaluable for coursework and assignments, and Kent Business School offered additional guidance whenever necessary. There were at least 4-5 different avenues of support available.
At TfL, the support was also excellent. I had a buddy in the year above on the same scheme to answer questions, a placement manager overseeing my progress, and a line manager providing day-to-day guidance. Transitioning from school to the business world can be daunting but having so many people to turn to make all the difference. Knowing that this support network was always there was truly fantastic.
5. Can you list any key skills you gained during the programme that you now use in your full-time role?
Organisation and Prioritisation – Balancing full-time work with part-time study required me to manage my time effectively and juggle multiple responsibilities.
Communication – This was a major skill I developed, learning how to communicate clearly and effectively in a professional environment.
Leadership and Motivation – Understanding how to lead and inspire others was a crucial part of my growth.
Professional Writing and Business Mindset – Developing a professional approach to writing and thinking strategically in a business setting has been invaluable.
We followed industry standards throughout the programme, which helped me understand their importance and how to integrate them into daily work practices.
Transitioning From Apprentice to Full-time Employee
6. Did you always plan to stay with TfL after your apprenticeship or did your plans change along the way?
I always intended to stay with TfL, obviously there is no guarantee that they will offer you a job at the end of your apprenticeship. That being said, TfL has invested 4 years, paid for my university fees and salary and I’ve also invested 4 years in them, through learning about the business and working for them. So, it would be silly not to stay with this fantastic organisation. No one in our cohort was not offered a job and TfL will always try their best to offer people a permanent role to grow their career with them further.
7. What is your current role in TfL?
I’m an Operations Planning Manager, responsible for helping run 1,600 trains across the London Overground network. This covers six different routes, 113 stations, 111 trains and transports approximately 183 million passengers each year. My role is to ensure trains get from A to B safely and on time. I work as part of a dedicated team of 26, keeping the network running smoothly.
8. What was the transition from apprentice to full-time employee like?
Once you finish your apprenticeship, you transition into a new role where you will gain more responsibility and exposure. But, by completing the degree apprenticeship you are getting 4 years of experience in the workforce, so the jump isn’t too big. You take everything that you have learnt and put it into practise. And honestly, I love not having to study now!
The degree apprenticeship allows you to do such an embedded transition. You don’t feel there is such a high jump, and it comes naturally. It’s also nice not to have to worry about the job market, as you’re already within the organisation and don’t need to panic about job hunting – unlike my friends at university struggling to find jobs!
Looking Back & Advice for Future Apprentices
9. How do you think apprenticeships compare to other career paths?
A couple of years ago, nobody knew what a degree apprenticeship was. When I started applying, there was only 2 people in my school that were looking at degree apprenticeships. Schools seemed to prioritise the traditional University experience above all else.
Now schools, students and parents have realised how vital work experience is and going to University is not the only way to enter the job market. A degree apprenticeship offers the best of both worlds, allowing you to gain hands-on experience while earning a degree.
There used to be a stigma that, you’d just be completing admin tasks but that’s completely incorrect. You’re working on multi-million-pound projects, dealing with senior stakeholders, going on site visits and learning how your organisation operates works. The perception of apprenticeships is evolving, and more employers are recognising that providing opportunities to gain experience while studying is the way forward.
10. What advice would you give to apprentices hoping to secure a full-time position after completing their programme?
I always say be yourself, use that experience that you’ve had over your apprenticeship to your advantage. Try to complete your last placement in a team that you want to transition into. This way you get to know that team, the culture, and the work that they’re doing.
Also, apply to as many roles as possible but just for practise. They might not be your dream job but get that experience of how the interview and recruitment process works. This will then help you for when you actually apply for your dream job because the process won’t come as a complete shock.
11. Apprenticeships are very competitive these days, how can someone stand out?
These schemes are highly competitive, but you will stand out by researching the company, their strategy, culture and behaviour. This way, when you come to the interview stage, you’re prepared. With TfL specifically, we’re a public organisation so lots of our information is shared online.
Also, just be yourself, our TfL commissioner used to say to us that the people that have been selected are the ones we think will lead our company going forward. Don’t try and be someone you are not to get the role, instead focus on your unique selling points and how you stand out.
To find out more about our apprenticeship opportunities and hiring an apprentice, contact our Business Development on recruitapprenticeships@kent.ac.uk