Apprentice Review

Day to day I work with the Ashford technical team carrying out surveys of sites that are soon to be renewed, this involves working with the senior engineer and the tech team during the week and the project delivery team during weekends renewing sections of track and railway based assets.

As part of the apprenticeship I have gained many new qualifications both academic based and railway based from simple maths right up to the operation of specialist railway equipment. During this course we also undertook additional leadership activities and teambuilding tasks developing our practical skills.

The advanced apprenticeship scheme is accommodating and contains a wide variety of learning throughout the first year and enough tasks during the following years based at the depots to ensure a mixed learning experience across multiple disciplines to ensure all apprentices have the ability to find what they are best at.

Network rail is a supportive company and many members of staff are accommodating to apprentices, as such I have personally been involved in many different stages of many different projects including the installation of some new sidings for the high output ballast cleaning train. This in particular gave me an insight into the stages of a project as well as the paperwork side going on in the background.

The apprenticeship is organised into three years, the first being an academic year to teach the basics while the second and third year are based in a working environment at network rail depots with occasional visits to the apprenticeship training centre for further competency training.

While staying at Coventry (previously Gosport) apprentice support officers (ASOs) are available during the day and in the evenings to help alleviate issues and monitor progress during the 20 week stay. During the second and third years support staff at Gosport are available to email during the week with issues regarding assignments or tasks.

Network rail has a number of systems and practises in place that allow all staff to be supported at all times, whether this be stress, learning or personal development. Most of the staff working at the depots are happy to support apprentices and are helpful when it comes to doing NVQ tasks or other assignments.

The starting salary is generous considering its an apprenticeship and especially during the first year where all food and rent is free, the money is almost exclusively good for trips out and more food or the running of a small car. The second and third year is reasonable considering the long term gains.

Network rail does offer a scheme to get discounts on days out as part of its benefits scheme and also allows up to 4 days a year leave to go and volunteer depending on location and personal preferences. The hours are also fairly flexible for those who need the additional support.

Yes

Its an interesting career with two days rarely being the same, you'll travel about and get to spent a lot of time either outside or inside depending on preference, on top of this the long term career side is also full of opportunities and its easy to get back as much as you want to put in.

Know what you are applying for, research network rail and be prepared for a hotly contested application, as the apprenticeship offers a more viable entrance into engineering than a degree if you desire a more practical and hands on approach than sitting in a lecture hall for 3 years.