Garreth Hilditch’s Journey Through the Level 4 Passenger Transport Operations Manager Apprenticeship
During the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic, opportunities for career progression across most sectors, including rail were limited. For Garreth Hilditch, Fleet Planning Manager at Greater Anglia, this period became a pivotal moment to rethink his professional goals. Eager to advance his career despite the uncertainty, Garreth decided to enrol in the CIRO Level 4 Passenger Transport Operations Manager apprenticeship, believing it would be the right step for his current role.
“I decided to do an apprenticeship to aid progression in my career as, at the time, it was COVID, and there weren’t many opportunities to progress. The Level 4 was more appropriate to the role I was in,” Garreth explained.
Learning and Development
Throughout the apprenticeship, Garreth developed a deeper understanding of the railway industry beyond his initial engineering focus. The programme provided him with valuable insights into operational aspects that complemented his technical expertise, equipping him with a broader perspective on passenger transport management.
“The apprenticeship gave me a far better understanding of the railway by providing insights into other aspects compared to engineering. It also laid a strong foundation in management skills and techniques,” Garreth shared.
The curriculum covered various topics, including passenger operations, leadership strategies, and decision-making processes. This blend of technical and managerial learning enhanced Garreth’s ability to navigate complex challenges within his role.
Support from CIRO
CIRO played a key role in Garreth’s success, offering continuous support to ensure he stayed on track. With a combination of face-to-face sessions and online workshops, the CIRO team provided consistent guidance, making the apprenticeship a manageable experience.
“CIRO was brilliant in ensuring I stayed on track by providing regular face-to-face sessions and online catch-ups. Although I was fortunate with my timing and didn’t need extra support, I always knew help was there if required,” Garreth noted.
This ongoing support allowed Garreth to balance his work commitments effectively while progressing steadily through the apprenticeship, highlighting CIRO’s commitment to personalised learning.
Aspirations and Future Goals
Since completing his apprenticeship, Garreth has transitioned back into Engineering Production from Operations, leveraging his newly acquired skills in a dynamic role. Looking forward, he aims to continue his professional development by pursuing further qualifications, with his sights set on a management course in the near future.
“As I have now moved back into Engineering Production from Operations, I think it’s best to focus on my new role for now, but in the not-so-distant future, I’d like to enrol in a management course of some kind, ideally at Level 6,” Garreth said.
Tutor and Coaching Support
Garreth attributes much of his achievement to the dedicated support of his tutor, Shirley, and coach, Jennifer. Shirley’s extensive rail industry background allowed her to offer practical guidance, making the course content relatable to real-world scenarios. Jennifer, on the other hand, kept Garreth focused and motivated, ensuring he completed his apprenticeship on time.
“Shirley was fantastic, offering support and feedback when needed, and her rail industry background made it easy to relate to the scenarios. Jennifer also did a superb job of keeping me focused and on track, and without their support, I might not have finished the apprenticeship on time,” Garreth praised.
Conclusion
Garreth Hilditch’s experience with the CIRO Level 4 Passenger Transport Operations Manager apprenticeship demonstrates the transformative power of structured learning and dedicated support. By expanding his industry knowledge and enhancing his management skills, Garreth has set a solid foundation for his future career aspirations. His journey reflects how CIRO’s contextualised apprenticeship programme can open doors, empower individuals, and drive success within the rail sector.
