NETWORK RAIL WANTS YOU! CALLING ALL ASPIRING ENGINEERS IN SWINDON

Wednesday 18 Apr 2007

NETWORK RAIL WANTS YOU! CALLING ALL ASPIRING ENGINEERS IN SWINDON

Region & Route:: | Wales & Western: Wales & Borders; | Southern: Wessex; | Wales & Western; | Southern

The clock is ticking for aspiring engineers in Swindon to apply for Network Rail's industry-leading advanced apprenticeship scheme. The scheme, which is amongst the largest of its type in the UK, represents a five-year, £30m investment by Network Rail to train its talent of tomorrow. For the first time, in 2007, Network Rail will also be training telecoms specialists, alongside the existing disciplines of track, signalling and electrification and plant. Greg Lunn, Network Rail's Western Territory Maintenance Director, said: "Anyone in the Swindon area who is thinking about engineering as a career should take a look at this world class scheme. It has proved extremely popular in its first two years and underlines our commitment to developing our future talent." In the first year of their course, the apprentices will be trained at the Royal Navy's historic HMS Sultan and accommodated 'next door' at HMS Collingwood. HMS Sultan is Europe's largest engineering training centre whilst HMS Collingwood boasts bespoke facilities, including: fully refurbished accommodation, a swimming pool, and football, tennis and squash amenities. The apprentices will be taught by the very best trainers from Network Rail, and Flagship Training Ltd, and will 'earn as they learn', being paid £9,000 in their first year rising to £13,000 by year three. The initial course of study will give the apprentices a solid background in engineering, leading to attainment of NVQs at level 2 and 3, and a BTEC National Award technical certificate. Network Rail staff, delivering a range of rail-specific training, will teach the second and third years of the course. This will help to fulfil Network Rail's strategy of standardising its employees' set of competencies and standards.

Notes to editors

For further information, please visit Network Rail's website www.networkrail.co.uk or www.everydaybrilliance.co.uk Now in its third year, the programme will take on 240 aspiring engineers.

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