Media centre

Tuesday 6 Jul 2010

RAIL APPRENTICES GET ON TRACK TO WORK IN SOUTH WEST

Region & Route:

Wales & Western: Western

| Wales & Western

Twenty one apprentices have started work for real at railway depots in Gloucester, Bristol, Swindon, Plymouth, Exeter, Newton Abbot and Par - joining the league of 200 bright sparks in Britain to have completed their first year at Europe’s largest engineering training facility. 

The apprentices specialise in track, signalling and telecoms, electrification and plant, property works and mechanical locking.  They will work under supervision in teams gaining vital experience over the next two years as they train to become maintenance technicians. They will return to HMS Sultan for further courses and training throughout this time.

Chris Rayner, route director at Network Rail and who has started his career on the railway as an apprentice said: “Britain relies on rail so it is vital to invest in our people and our future with apprenticeships. We’re training the next generation of specialists with the latest technology to deliver this success in a modern, efficient way – it’s a career that brings great value to Britain.

“Learning on-the-job with experienced teams enables our apprentices to understand the industry and their role far better than they can in just a classroom. Once the training is complete, they are already an important team member helping to deliver a better railway for everyone.”

Among the apprentices are two young women, Emma Taylor and Hannah Moody from Swindon and Bristol respectively, who specialise in signalling.

Emma, who is originally from Salisbury, said: "After looking at many different apprenticeship schemes, Network Rail had so much more to offer than others. The facilities are brilliant and the instructors are passionate about what they teach us. It is also about meeting new people and practical learning. It has been great learning a discipline which is completely new to me whilst acquiring nationally recognised qualifications.”

Hannah, who is originally from Worle, said: “If you’re willing to put the work in, you’ll easily find the course enjoyable and in the practical classes you will find that the girls are just as able as the boys. The silver lining of having less girls on the course is that all the girls know one another - It‘s a bit like having all your really close friends just a door away. You also get a lot of support from the people around you, and the residential staff are always ready to listen.”