CAF invests in employee career development through its Professional Sponsorship Scheme

CAF continues to champion talent from within, creating clear pathways for progression and empowering employees to thrive.

CAF’s Professional Sponsorship Scheme provides employees with financial support for a wide range of growth opportunities – from accredited training courses to industry memberships – enabling them to gain skills to support both their current roles and future career aspirations.

To make the scheme more accessible, the eligibility criteria were simplified – ensuring that it contributes not only to participants’ success, but also to CAF’s overall growth.

Katy Rawlinson, Learning & Development Partner for CAF Rail UK, says: “Supporting people’s development is essential to delivering our growth plans, improving day-to-day operations, and maintaining the skills and knowledge we need across the business.

“Professional sponsorship plays a key role in this, enabling individuals to access recognised qualifications, accreditations, and professional memberships that support their career progression.”

Employees collaborate with their line managers to submit applications, which are reviewed by CAF’s sponsorship panel to ensure alignment with individual goals and business needs.

In the past 12 months, 40 Professional Sponsorship applications from CAF Rail and CAF Rolling Stock have been approved, including both new applicants and employees continuing to advance their learning journey.

Katy adds: “We’re aiming to support more applications than ever this year, and I hope the work we’re doing continues to encourage more people to invest in their own development. I’m looking forward to building on this momentum as we move into 2026.”

Among those whose careers have already been enhanced by the scheme is Laura Potter, People & Culture Business Partner for CAF Rail.

Laura, who joined CAF as an HR Assistant before progressing to her current role, says: “Through the Professional Sponsorship Scheme, I was able to complete my Level 5 CIPD qualification in People Management – something I’d wanted to do for some time. Although I completed the course independently, the financial support from CAF made it possible for me to pursue a qualification that’s widely recognised within the HR profession and aligned closely with my career goals.”

Helping to consolidate practical experience with theory, it also enabled Laura to consider how she could influence positive cultural change and add even more value in her role: “My biggest takeaway was that people are the heart of every organisation. This qualification has given me the confidence to apply more strategic thinking to how we support our people, challenge outdated processes, and contribute to a positive, forward-thinking culture.”

Adam Griffiths joined CAF Rolling Stock UK in June 2018 as a Production Engineer before being promoted to Trainee Systems Engineer in 2024.

Alongside learning his new role, he has been studying part-time for the Electrical Engineering qualifications required to progress to a Systems Engineer position and achieved ILM qualifications alongside his HND under the apprenticeship framework.

“CAF has played a pivotal role, from providing access to essential resources and training opportunities to offering encouragement and flexibility,” he says. “It’s enabled me to balance my academic commitments with my professional responsibilities, and the support from my managers and colleagues has helped me grow both technically and personally. I’m truly grateful for the investment CAF has made in my future.”

Chris Wylie, Senior Materials Manager for Translink, Belfast, began his journey with CAF as a Materials Controller: “I never imagined how far my career would grow.

“Through dedication, continuous learning, and support from great mentors, I was able to complete CIPS level 4 & 5, and I’ve just completed my final year and exams and am waiting on the results to hopefully complete my level 6 and achieve full MCIPS.

“Every challenge taught me something new, and each step brought more responsibility and fulfilment. It’s never too late to learn.”

Many more employees have benefited from CAF’s Professional Sponsorship Scheme:

• Julie-Ann Wallace joined CAF Rolling Stock UK in 2018 as a Recruitment Lead before being promoted to HR Business Partner. CAF supported her decision to undertake her master’s in human resource management, and she says: “The flexibility, encouragement, and access to resources have allowed me to balance my academic and professional responsibilities. I’m excited about the opportunities ahead.”
• Craig Taylor joined CAF in October 2022 as a Production Manager and applied for Professional Sponsorship to complete the Postgraduate-level ‘20Twenty Business Growth Programme’. He has now progressed to his Level 7 Qualification in Strategic Management as a pathway to his MBA.
• Zane Marsh, Team Leader; Brad Jones, Manufacturing Technician, and Lewys Cullen, Quality Engineer, have all completed their Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship as Master Craftsmen in Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies, alongside the core Mechanical Engineering HNC qualifications. Both Zane and Lewys have since been promoted. Lewys says: “The course was challenging but incredibly rewarding. The hands-on learning and real-world applications gave us a much stronger understanding of engineering principles, which we’ve already seen benefit us in our current roles.”
• Ane Urrutxua Garay joined CAF in 2018 as a Quality Engineer following the completion of her master’s degree. She supported the delivery of the TransPennine project before securing the role of Head of Quality for Rolling Stock in 2020 and has since achieved an ILM5 qualification and Chartered Membership of the Institute of Management in 2024.
• Senior Buyer Scott Abraham, who joined CAF in 2023, used the Professional Sponsorship programme to complete his CIPS Level 4 and Level 5 qualifications which, he says, ‘has made such a difference to my career and work at CAF’, adding: “The support and encouragement has been incredible – and a true testament to CAF’s commitment to its employees and the development of skills and abilities.”
• Class 331 Maintenance Engineer Bradley Woodhead joined CAF following a career in the Army, having already gained a Level 3 NVQ in Engineering. He has recently gone on to achieve his HNC in Electrical and Electronic Engineering through the company’s Professional Sponsorship Scheme. Bradley says, “This opportunity has been invaluable, allowing me to continue my personal and professional development while applying new skills and knowledge directly to my role. The sponsorship programme provided the structure and support needed to balance study alongside full-time work, and I am grateful to CAF for investing in my growth. Completing the HNC has strengthened my technical expertise, boosted my confidence, and enhanced the contribution I can make within the business. It has also shown me that CAF is genuinely committed to developing its people and supporting long-term career progression. I would highly recommend that colleagues explore the professional sponsorship scheme, as it is a fantastic way to gain further qualifications, expand your skill set, and take the next step in your career with CAF.”

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