Monday 2 Jul 2012
APPRENTICES GET TO WORK ON EAST COAST ROUTE (S Yorks)
- Region & Route:
Around 50 apprentices have started work at Network Rail depots on the London North Eastern Route after completing their first year’s training at Europe’s largest engineering training facility at HMS Sultan in Hampshire.
The apprentices specialise in track, signalling, telecoms and electrification and plant. Over the next two years they will work under supervision gaining vital experience as they train to become maintenance technicians. They will return to HMS Sultan for further courses and training throughout this time.
Phil Verster, Network Rail’s Route Managing Director said: “The LNE route is proud to have these motivated young people joining us. Our apprentices are the engineers and technicians of the future and will help to maintain and supplement the excellent skills and experience we already have within our depots.”
The apprentices will receive invaluable on-the-job training from experienced Network Rail staff.
Dan Tinsley from Rotherham in Yorkshire will be based at the Doncaster depot. Dan is specialising in electrification and plant, having previously worked in retail and construction on a part-time basis. Of his experience so far, Dan said: “The quality of education on the apprenticeship scheme has been high and the standard of equipment we learn to use is great. Whilst I took a pay-cut to do the course, I have always wanted to learn a trade and this scheme offers excellent career prospects. I would definitely recommend the apprenticeship scheme to anyone considering taking part.”
Notes to editors
Please note Dan is not available for further interviews at this stage
About the Network Rail advanced apprenticeship scheme
A three-year programme that equips you with the skills and experience to become a maintenance engineering technician.
There are seven engineering programmes: track, signals, electrification and plant, signal design, property works, mechanical locking and telecoms. Each one gives you the chance to work in a critical area of the business, where your development will continue beyond the three years of the scheme.
Paid Learning In the first year, you will be paid £8,400 + £1,150 when you successfully finish the year; the salary will rise to £11,750 in the second; and £14,000 in the third.
In the first year, Network Rail will also feed you, pay for your accommodation and provide the clothing and personal protective equipment that you need – including safety boots, cargo trousers and a fleece. There are plenty of holidays: 28 days plus bank holidays in total. Again in your first year, your leave is planned for you and Network Rail will pay for you to travel home for long weekends and Christmas, Easter and summer holidays.
Qualifications After three years, you will have the qualifications (NVQ, BTec and ILM (Institute of Leadership and Management)) and skills to develop a long-term career with Network Rail. Many apprentices complete their first year and soon start to think about their career options – and many set their sights on becoming technical officers, team leaders or managers. There are even further opportunities to study a foundation degree for those who demonstrate the commitment and ability.
Contact information
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03457 11 41 41
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01904 383180
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About Network Rail
We own, operate and develop Britain's railway infrastructure; that's 20,000 miles of track, 30,000 bridges, tunnels and viaducts and the thousands of signals, level crossings and stations. We run 20 of the UK's largest stations while all the others, over 2,500, are run by the country's train operating companies.
Usually, there are almost five million journeys made in the UK and over 600 freight trains run on the network. People depend on Britain's railway for their daily commute, to visit friends and loved ones and to get them home safe every day. Our role is to deliver a safe and reliable railway, so we carefully manage and deliver thousands of projects every year that form part of the multi-billion pound Railway Upgrade Plan, to grow and expand the nation's railway network to respond to the tremendous growth and demand the railway has experienced - a doubling of passenger journeys over the past 20 years.
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