Media centre

Monday 21 Aug 2017

Apprenticeship boost as Network Rail doubles the number of opportunities available

Region & Route:

National

• 600 apprenticeship opportunities to be offered nationwide by the company over the next 12 months across a range of disciplines
• Number of places on Network Rail’s renowned Advanced Apprenticeship Scheme doubled from 150 in 2015 to more than 300 in 2017/18
• New apprenticeships offered in cyber security and digital railway

Network Rail is set to double the number of apprenticeships offered nationwide , including exciting new opportunities in cyber security and digital railway, as it seeks to future-proof  the skills needed to enable  the British public to make over 4 million journeys a day.

The company is currently recruiting for 177 apprentices to joins its award-winning Advanced Apprenticeships Scheme - which delivers the front line engineers vital to keeping the rail network running. Trainees specialise in one of five disciplines: track, signalling, overhead lines, electrical & plant, and telecom - in March 2018. Opportunities exist nationwide and applications need to be made by 22 Sept 2017.

As well as the Advanced Apprenticeship Scheme, Network Rail is also set to increase the number and range of business apprenticeships that it offers.  In addition to the rail technician apprenticeships, the company offers apprenticeships in corporate functions such as accounting, HR, project management and commercial surveying all leading to professional qualifications. The number on offer will be doubled over the next year.

Guy Wilmshurst-Smith, head of professional development and training said: “Network Rail is committed to investing in the future talent that we need to build and maintain the bigger, better railway that Britain wants, and apprentices are a vital part of that Railway Upgrade Plan.

“The rail industry is one of Britain’s success stories as more and more people want to travel by train. Demand has doubled over the last 20 years and is set to double again in the next 25 years, so we need more people to help make that possible.

“Unlike many apprenticeships, our schemes have no upper age limits, so are suitable for anyone wanting to build a career in an industry that impacts millions of people every day. All that we ask is that our applicants have a passion for making a difference. “

Marisa Bajerski is just completing her first year of the Advanced Apprenticeship Scheme: “I’ve loved my time so far on the apprenticeship scheme. There has been so much variety in the job – from working inside an office to being out on a track – and I’m meeting and working with different people all the time. It has given me so much confidence in myself and my abilities, especially now that I’m based in a depot and can really see my work helping people to make their rail journeys and get to where they need to be.

“I joined Network Rail because it offers so many opportunities; as long as you are capable and willing to work hard, the company will support you. I’ve seen that many apprentices go on to study degrees and post-graduate qualifications and I’m definitely hoping to do the same. Network Rail was my company of choice and I know I’ve made the right decision coming to work here.”

Further information can be found at www.networkrail.co.uk/apprentices.