Media centre

Tuesday 21 Aug 2018

New opportunities to join Network Rail apprenticeship scheme in South Wales

Region & Route:

Wales & Western: Wales & Borders

| Wales & Western

Budding engineers are being encouraged to apply for Network Rail’s Advanced Engineering Apprenticeship, which is now open for applications to join the scheme in March 2019.

Network Rail in Wales and Borders is recruiting its largest ever group of apprentices, with six spaces available across South Wales. Places are available in Cardiff, Newport, Swansea and Llanelli for the three-year apprenticeship.

Bill Kelly, acting route managing director for Network Rail in Wales and Borders said: “The people working for Network Rail in Wales and Borders are our greatest asset and central to providing a safe and reliable railway for our passengers every day.

“It is an exciting time for the railway in Wales and Borders.  I urge anyone that has the determination, talent and enthusiasm to work in a role where you not only make a difference every single day but also contribute to building the railway for the future, to join us by applying for the Advanced Apprenticeship scheme today.”

Steve Stokes, an apprentice for Network Rail Wales and Borders in Newport, said: “My father was a systems engineer and I always looked up to him. I have always had a keen engineering mind just like my dad, but my grades weren’t fantastic in school. I was working full-time for seven years before I decided to further my own learning in a career I was passionate about.

“I heard that Network Rail had a very good reputation for career growth and opportunities, so I applied. I feel engaged and challenged every day and I get to learn from very experienced engineers.  I can honestly say it is the best decision I have ever made, it has opened so many opportunities for me.”

Snowy Worrad, also an apprentice based in Port Talbot, said: "I applied for the scheme because I wanted to study engineering but I didn’t want to stop working to be able to do so.

“Joining the company as an apprentice has given me a boost that wouldn’t be possible otherwise, and there have been lots of opportunities for me to see more of the company, get involved in new ideas and to meet people from different roles. I’ve completed placements with a wide variety of teams and I know that once I completed the apprenticeship, I will have gained all the skills and knowledge I need to further my career in engineering.”

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 Wales and Borders’ rail infrastructure. 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. 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.