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Monday 3 Feb 2014

Apprentices needed to help Network Rail deliver billions of pounds of investment in the West Midlands and north west

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Network Rail is looking for apprentices to join the company and help deliver a multi-billion pound programme of work to renew and maintain one of the most intensely used networks in the world.

A total of 12 places are available in the north west of England in Carlisle, Liverpool and Manchester. A further 15 places are available in the West Midlands in Birmingham, Nuneaton, Rugby, Saltley, Sandwell and Dudley, Stafford and Stourbridge

The 27 places are part of more than 220 which are available nationwide as part of Network Rail’s award-winning three-year scheme. Successful applicants will spend their first year at Europe’s largest engineering training facility at HMS Sultan in Hampshire where they will specialise in either track, signalling, telecoms and electrification and plant.

During their second and third years, they will work on the rail network’s front line, gaining vital experience as they train to become maintenance technicians. Throughout this time they regularly return to HMS Sultan for further courses and training to add to the experience gained on the rail network.

Michelle Palin, who heads up recruitment for the Network Rail scheme, said: “It's a very exciting time to work in rail with huge multi-billion pound projects set to transform the network as we revitalise stations, increase the frequency of trains and make journeys faster, more reliable and greener.

"We need more highly skilled people to help us meet the challenges of a busier network and focus on improving the reliability of the railway and increasing capacity as passenger numbers continue to grow."

The apprenticeship is the start of the learning programme and many apprentices go on to be team leaders and managers and take up the opportunity to further their education through Network Rail.

Since 2005, Network Rail has trained 1,050 apprentices across Britain through the three-year scheme with a further 600 currently still in training.

Ms Palin added: "The scheme offers young people the chance to gain recognised qualifications and expert training, which will not only set them up for a challenging career but also teach them all they need to know to become invaluable members of the Network Rail team. They can be proud to be part of a company which keeps Britain moving and helps four million people and millions of tonnes of freight travel every day.”

Anyone who is 17-years-old by 31 August 2014 can apply via www.facebook.com/ontrack. Applicants will need to provide their home address postcode to see what vacancies are available in their areas as placements in maintenance depots will be allocated on application. Advice and information is provided on the Facebook page including videos and case studies of current and former apprentices, talking about their own experiences on the scheme.