Natalie Parker – studying a Level 3 Women in Leadership: Team Leader apprenticeship

After 20 years of working in admin and accounts, Natalie Parker was forced to make a career change when she was sadly made redundant in 2019. Determined to bounce back, Natalie, 46, embarked on an intensive course in property maintenance and used her new trade skills to successfully apply for a Skilled Maintenance Operative role with GTR.

She’s now studying a Level 3 Women in Leadership: Team Leader apprenticeship with GTR to take her career to the next level and is sharing her story for National Apprenticeship Week. “I had a longstanding career in book-keeping mainly in local government, but unfortunately when I moved to a new role at a private company I was made redundant in July 2019.”

Natalie saw this as an opportunity to switch careers and successfully applied for a five week intensive course in property maintenance with Chichester College Group, organised by military veterans’ charity Building Heroes. She discovered the course using her links with the Army, as her husband served in the forces. After graduating in December 2019, she secured her first role in the railway as a Skilled Maintenance Operative in February 2020. “I’d always been interested in hands-on work, so I was over the moon when I was accepted onto the property maintenance course. I learnt a variety of skills, such as plumbing, plastering and carpentry, which helped me gain my role with GTR as a Skilled Maintenance Operative.

I’ve worked in rail for six years now and I love that no day is the same, because I’m always out on the network maintaining our stations to make sure our customers have the best experience while travelling with us. Whilst I’m the only woman in my team, I’ve always felt welcomed and supported.” Natalie, who lives in Worthing, started studying the Women in Leadership Level 3 apprenticeship in March 2025, which is aimed at women aspiring to become managers. She is due to complete the course in June. “I spotted the apprenticeship through GTR’s internal news and it sounded brilliant, because it covers topics such as project and team management, the importance of networking and developing presence and professionalism.

I have a better understanding of how to talk to people and inspire them, which is a key manager skill. My confidence has increased during the course, since I’ve learnt about why we experience self-doubt and how to manage it. This has been very helpful because growing up with dyslexia meant I always felt I wasn’t good enough, so this course has helped shift my mindset. “I’d highly recommend this apprenticeship to anyone who is keen to progress their career and grow within the company. There are lots of apprenticeships on offer at GTR that there is sure to be something that suits you.”