Transport Planning Apprentice Review

My role as a transport planning apprentice is to learn 4 areas of the company across a 2-3 year time period. I'm currently working in the bus planning team, which involves helping make sure the bus network of London runs effectively and efficiently. This is involves forecasting scenarios and demand.

Since working for TfL I have had to create, update and change lots of different kinds of spreadsheets used within Microsoft Excel. My knowledge of how and when to use certain formulas to find data has developed as I have had to completely relearn how to use them. The bus planning team uses exsisting data from our software on a daily basis, so my knowledge of Excel had to improve, which it has!

I enjoy how my programme is carried out. I have to attend Leeds college for 2 weeks at a time, every 3 or so months. I have only just started on this qualification and had to endure only one 2 week block so far, but the tuition is great and all of the other apprentices are friendly.

The transport planning apprenticeship programme is only in it's 3rd year since it started. I believe that they're still ironing out and trying to perfect some teething problems but aside from that, it's a great programme. The college are on hand pretty much 24/7 so you can contact them regarding issues you have.

TfL provide me with fantastic support. They're always pushing me to take part in learning activities and seminars during work times to give me the best experience of the company and what it stands for. My study takes place in Leeds in a 2 week block, so I'm encouraged to almost forget about any work that I'm involved in during our study period, which means I can focus solely on college work/life.

The tutors at Leeds College of Building offer excellent support and tuition. Their range of teaching methods and techniques keeps me on my toes and make it more interesting to learn. As I said before they are always on hand when you need to contact them, not just about college, but about anything at all.

Learning how to think and act like a transport planner through my college tuition helps me get into the right mind set when performing at work. I have taken some skills learned at college and used them in my day to day role at work, such as learning about changing travel behaviour, which is a big part of TfL's work.

As an apprentice, I am encouraged to attend seminars, meetings, social activities and networking events as often as possible. There are sports teams available to join however I'm yet to look into it, but it's definitely something I'm interested in. Lots of these events and activities often take place during working hours as they're always helpful towards my role/experience at TfL.

Yes

TfL has such an influential impact on not just London, but cities all around the world. To be working at one the biggest and best providers of public transport in the world, that offers multiple benefits and opportunities to progress your skills, is great. They offer so much support and encourage you to push yourself beyond limits you didn't even know existed.

Go into your recruitment process with an open mind (but do your research on current schemes and projects that are ongoing). TfL like opinionated people and are happy to hear your thoughts about transport in London. Be confident, but not too confident! make sure you can back up your opinions and ideas with your beliefs or evidence.