Empowering diversity: Maro Sakpere’s journey as an apprentice
Maro Sakpere is responsible for maintaining, servicing, managing and developing technologies, as a service engineer at GTR Southern. Day to day, Maro provides mentorship to new starters and works closely with a team to ensure trains are always safe and ready for service. Looking for a new opportunity to progress his career and support his role at GTR Southern, Maro enrolled on an apprenticeship with CIRO.
Throughout the apprenticeship, Maro accomplished many achievements. He was nominated for the Rising Star award at the National Apprenticeship Awards 2022. Maro added: “In 2023, I was nominated for the Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards in the transport and logistics category for my work throughout my apprenticeship. Out of 300 applicants, I was shortlisted as a finalist amongst seven other finalists and won.”
Despite holding a Mechanical Engineering Degree, Maro recognised the importance of continuous learning. He undertook CIRO’s Level 4 Passenger Transport Operations Manager Apprenticeship, to upskill and gain both practical and theoretical knowledge in railway operations and stakeholder management.
Reflecting on his motivation to start an apprenticeship, Maro commented: “I wanted to see more representation of people from an ethnic minority and other underrepresented backgrounds in management. I felt an apprenticeship provided the essential core skills required for my career progression.
“I believe in leading by example and wanted my actions to inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more.”
Throughout his three years on the programme, Maro gained exposure and experience through visits to various depots and rail operating centres.
He observed communications and decision-making between the control room and the wider operating framework. He also spent time shadowing and assisting various management roles including the customer service control managers, fleet planning managers and incident officers. These visits brought depth to his skills as a service engineer and inspired him to expand his career.
Maro commented: “I now have the motivation to progress my role in management. I would like the opportunity to utilise my knowledge, qualifications and lived experiences to mentor others and be of public service.”
The support Maro received from the CIRO team throughout the apprenticeship proved to be invaluable: “CIRO’s influence extended beyond mere advice, they actively contributed to my experience. My review coach John Roffey, offered guidance when I needed direction. My tutor, Kevin Smith provided crucial feedback which shaped the trajectory of my work.” Said Maro.
Completing the apprenticeship has not only had a positive influence on Maro’s personal and professional growth, but it has also benefited the wider organisation.
As an individual who’s passionate about equality, diversity and inclusion, he’s keen to be part of the positive progress in the industry. Many of his colleagues now consider an apprenticeship as a viable career pathway and an opportunity to step into leadership roles.
“I’m an example of someone who breaks down barriers and inspires others from diverse backgrounds to envision themselves in a managerial position.”
An apprenticeship with CIRO is an ideal way to continue your rail operations career, combining study with ‘real-time’ on-the-job training. Developed by employers to form progressive career pathways, CIRO apprenticeships incorporate the knowledge, skills and behaviours defined for today’s rail industry.
If you’re interested, visit the apprenticeship page here: view our Apprenticeships.
Alternatively, contact the CIRO team at: apprentice@railwayoperators.co.uk