Media centre

Wednesday 3 Oct 2018

New opportunities in south west London to join Network Rail’s award-winning apprenticeship scheme

Region & Route:

Southern: Wessex

| Southern

Budding engineers in south west London are being encouraged to apply for Network Rail’s Advanced Engineering Apprenticeship Scheme, which is now open for applications for the March 2019 intake.

Opportunities to join the Network Rail Wessex route team on three-year apprenticeships are now open in Feltham, Wimbledon and Waterloo.

Becky Lumlock, managing director for Network Rail’s Wessex route, said:

“As we look forward to investing £2 billion over the next five years to provide a better railway for passengers, businesses and the communities who rely on it, there has never been a more exciting time to begin a career in rail with us on the Wessex route.

“Our apprenticeship scheme has provided a springboard to many successful careers in the rail industry, and provides a great opportunity for young people to gain valuable paid work experience, transferable skills and recognised qualifications in a diverse and inclusive environment.

“I’m looking forward to welcoming our next intake of apprentices and would urge anyone looking for a rewarding and fulfilling career in engineering to apply.”

The Wessex route is one of the busiest routes on the British rail network, providing a vital economic artery into London Waterloo from the south coast.

As well as a commuter service connecting many towns and cities between London and the South Coast, the route is an important freight link for the UK, bringing goods in and out of Southampton docks, one of the country’s busiest deep-water ports.

What does Network Rail’s apprenticeship scheme involve?

The apprentices will play a vital role in the team of front line engineers and technicians who fix and maintain rail infrastructure on the Wessex route. They will have the opportunity to ‘earn while they learn’, gaining valuable work experience, transferable skills and recognised qualifications along the way.

The first 21 weeks of the scheme are spent living and learning at Network Rail’s state of the art training centre in the Midlands along with many other apprentices. The apprentices then spend the rest of the scheme working from a depot close to home, specialising in disciplines such as electrification, signalling, telecoms and track.

The scheme has been running since 2005, with more than 2,000 engineers completing the scheme.

Who can apply?

The scheme is open to anyone who will be aged 18 on 31 March 2019, with no upper age limit.

What career opportunities does the scheme offer?

Apprentices are guaranteed a job upon completion of the three-year course and more than four in five of those who started on the scheme a decade ago are still working for Network Rail today.

With hands-on projects and dedicated support, apprentices can also study for further qualifications and gain chartered membership of a professional engineering institute.

The scheme also has a far higher retention rate than the national average for engineering. 75% of those that complete the scheme choose to go into employment with Network Rail, compared to the national average for engineering of 55%.

How can I apply?

Visit networkrail.co.uk/careers/apprenticeships/  to apply or for more information. Applications for the March 2019 intake close on Monday 15 October 2018.

ENDS