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The the '''Heritage Skills Training Academy ''' was launched in September 2013 and offers formal Apprenticeships to the over 16s. It should not be confused with the [[SVR Apprentices]] which enables youngsters aged 11 to 13 inclusive who are interested in railways to apply to join in various activities.
Within the Academy scheme, around six young people work and learn across different departments: locomotive running, boiler shop, carriage mechanical and carriage bodywork. Initially, apprentices rotate around these departments to gain experience and knowledge across a range of trades. After two years, they are assigned to one of the departments to pursue a specialisation. Apprentices work towards nationally-recognised NVQ 2 and 3 level qualifications and the Academy has an association with Heart of Worcester College, Telford College of Arts and Technology, Dudley College and, through them, the Black Country museum. Two apprentices are recruited annually through a national recruitment process, as SVR seeks people who are enthusiastic about railways but not rail enthusiasts.<ref>[https://www.railengineer.uk/2018/10/08/20th-century-heritage-21st-century-safety/ Rail Engineer, 8 October 2018] (Retrieved 22 October 2018)</ref><ref>[https://www.svrtrust.org.uk/index.php?page=Heritage%20Skills%20Training%20Academy SVR Charitable Trust website page] (Retrieved 22 October 2018)</ref><ref>[https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/2014/02/06/severn-valley-railway-scheme-to-train-rail-apprentices/ Shropshire Star 6 February 2014] (Retrieved 22 October 2018)</ref><ref>Carr, L., 'Retaining heritage skills for the future', The Railway Magazine, January 2019, p. 50</ref>
