🚦 My Story: From Lanzarote to Signalling Designer 🚦
Hello, all, I’m Ben Blakemore, a Signalling Designer DigiSig Rail Group Ltd. I joined the company in November 2022, as an Apprentice and after just over 2 years, it’s been an incredible journey!

🎯 Why Signalling Design?
I wanted a career that was both challenging & rewarding, offering hands-on problem-solving and the chance to work on real-world railway systems.

🔥 My Apprenticeship Experience
My time at DigiSig Rail has been amazing—I’ve learned so much, both professionally and personally. From time management to organising work for others, the skills I’ve gained go far beyond just the technical side. And the best part? The lifelong friends I’ve made along the way!

💪 Overcoming Challenges
The toughest challenge for me was moving from Lanzarote back to the UK & starting a new life as an apprentice. It felt overwhelming at first, but thanks to the incredible support from my colleagues, I settled in quickly and felt right at home. And the support and mentoring that I have had from Michael Hickey and Russell Simpson, has been absolutely awesome! They have both helped me learn everything that I know about the railway and friends I can truly count on.

🏆 Proud Moments & Milestones
✅ Receiving my Designer Licence
✅ (Soon) Completing my apprenticeship—2 years early!
✅ Becoming more confident & independent in my role
✅ Finally mastering the printer 😊

🚆 From Apprentice to Professional
I’ve gone from struggling with tasks to working independently on key projects. The work I once found difficult now feels second nature, and I know I have an amazing team to support me whenever I need it.

💡 Advice for Future Apprentices
🚀 Just go for it! There are endless opportunities in the rail sector.
🤝 Surround yourself with great people—the industry is full of them with some amazing mentors.
🔄 Be open to learning—every challenge is a chance to grow.

DigiSig Rail in 3 Words:
⚡ Opportunities | 🤝 Supportive | 🚀 Rewarding