signal apprentice Review

Day to day is interesting every day at my depot. I learn new things daily and a learning more and more overtime. Regular maintenance and unpredicted fault fixing on the railway means that every day is different and brings a new challenge. I am never left to work alone and I am guided through the learning process, ensuring that all work I complete is done so correctly.

I have learnt a vast amount about the railway. Before the apprenticeship I barely had any knowledge on how everything worked. Since joining the apprenticeship, I have developed my understanding of electrical principles and how it plays a huge part on the railway. Along with this knowledge, I have gained a number of new skills like soldering, wiring and testing.

I have made plenty of new friends on this apprenticeship and am reassured that the apprenticeship will lead to a job for life In the future. The first 21 weeks of the apprenticeship involves living in Coventry in accommodation for all other apprentices. This was a great experience and I loved all of it.

The structure could have some improvements. This could be done by informing you more about the railway before you arrive at your depot. Arriving with no prior knowledge is very daunting and makes you feel very unqualified if people question you. The first 21 weeks is aimed to get all apprentices on a level playing field.

I receive vast amounts of support and I am aware that more is available if I need it. I have been guided through all of the learning stages with aid from fully qualified instructors and competent technicians when working alongside the railway infrastructure. I can email a large number of people if I have any questions or I can always ask anyone in my team.

I receive yet again vast amount of support. They explain everything about the assignments that we have to submit and they will always invest their time into you if you are struggling to understand what is required of you. You can email instructors who will guide you through the assignment step by step. The help is there if you need it.

The training was necessary because if I didn't understand the basics of electrics and physics then it would mean that understanding the railway infrastructure would be very difficult. Each course I have completed has been highly relevant and each day I am understanding how each course has helped me with each task.

Yes, there have been plenty of extra curricular activities to take part in. Within the first 21 weeks of the apprenticeship, their are plenty of after work activities to take part in. Whether playing sport is what you enjoy or playing Fifa competitively there is definitely something that would suite you.

Yes

The apprenticeship has been brilliant. I have been guided through the entire process and believe I am set for the future. The job is well paid once qualified and is very enjoyable. The friends I have made on the way have been brilliant. The first 21 weeks being at Coventry means that you will make friends all over the country and even in Scotland, wales and Ireland.

The best advice to give would be to stay on top of your work and not to let the work get the better of you. Some tasks may be hard, however, it is important to overcome the challenges even if that means getting help from another more qualified member of Network Rail.