Alex Daly, signalling apprentice, won the Apprentice of the Year award, for being ‘outstanding in the workplace and also in the classroom’.

Alex is one of 23 VolkerRail apprentices currently enrolled on Education Wise’s rail apprenticeship programme. He was selected by the judges because, ‘Alex is always keen to develop and push himself in his role, both on the job as well as in college’.

Commenting on his award, John Manock said: “I am very proud to have won the award, as I was an apprentice myself back in 1990. I have great memories of the railway engineers who took the time to share their knowledge with me back in the day, and I thought it was only right that I pass my knowledge on to the new generation of apprentices.

“From what I have seen from our apprentices so far, the railway looks to be in good hands for the future.”

Commenting on his award, Alex Daly said: “I feel the award signifies all the accomplishments I’ve made so far, throughout my apprenticeship, and I am proud of how far I’ve come.”

Reflecting on the award wins, Martin Thorpe, operations manager for our signalling division, said: “It was great to be able to celebrate the achievements and mentors at this event.

“Apprenticeships are a key part in developing the next generation of signalling engineers, and we are proud of what these young people have achieved. “The standard that the apprentices are reaching is testament to not only their hard work, but that of their managers, trainers and mentors.”