From travel training to paid employment

At National Star, we are passionate about helping students develop the skills, confidence and independence they need to achieve their goals. For Anna, a student on our Skills for Work programme, that journey has combined two important passions: travel and trains.

Anna was first introduced to Gloucestershire Community Rail Partnership (GCRP) through GCRP’s travel training programme, which helps students build confidence using public transport and develop the skills needed to travel independently.

After exploring opportunities aligned with her interests, Anna secured a work experience placement with GCRP between February and June 2026. The placement provided valuable workplace experience while allowing Anna to contribute to projects connected to community rail and accessible travel.

Building Skills Through Real-World Experience

Anna said: ‘My name is Anna and I am a student at National Star College on the Skills for Work programme. This helps prepare me for the workplace by gaining employability skills and accessing multiple work placements. I was introduced to GCRP through travel training with Bee and then researched GCRP and found a placement at Railway House.’

During her placement, Anna supported the team with data entry and organising feedback and photographs collected from rail journeys across the country. Her work contributed to the development of resources designed to encourage young people to explore travel, local communities and outdoor spaces by rail.

Turning a Passion into Practical Experience

For Anna, trains have long been a special interest, making the placement an ideal opportunity to combine personal interests with professional development.

She shared: ‘Trains are one of my main interests and I love them because of the amazing scenery that you come across on your travels, such as the mountains within the Lake District or the coastal views around Berwick. I also love trains because they are all different and have different rolling stock, such as the Class 800 trains on GWR that run to London from the Cotswolds and the South West, or local railway lines in the North West, such as the Buxton Line.’

Alongside developing workplace skills, Anna reflected on the important role independent travel has played in her life: ‘Being able to use trains has given me so much independence as I feel I have more freedom than I would have otherwise. Being able to go on day trips independently feels amazing.’

Growing Confidence and Employability Skills

Through her placement, Anna strengthened a range of skills, including digital administration, organisation and communication, while gaining a better understanding of how a community-focused organisation operates.

Asked to describe her experience, Anna chose three words: ‘Productive, interesting and digital.’

Anna’s Job Coach, Maia Flenley, has seen significant progress throughout the placement:

‘Anna has done really well in her work placement at GCRP. It’s lovely to see her working with an organisation that aligns so closely with her interests. She has demonstrated her passion for train travel, taken ownership of her work and continued to grow in confidence. Faatimah and the rest of the team have been incredibly welcoming and helped her feel part of the team.’

A Positive Outcome

Following the success of her work experience placement, Anna was delighted to continue supporting GCRP through paid work, helping to distribute resources connected to their projects.

This progression from travel training, to work experience, to paid employment highlights the value of providing students with meaningful opportunities to develop skills, confidence and independence in real-world settings.

We are incredibly proud of everything Anna has achieved and grateful to Gloucestershire Community Rail Partnership for providing such a supportive and positive placement experience.

Are you interested in supporting students through work placements? Our job coaches are ready to collaborate with businesses and organisations that help learners thrive. Call us today to find out more on 01242 527631. Alternatively, email us at [email protected].