Media centre

Monday 11 Jul 2011

SOUTH YORKSHIRE RAIL APPRENTICES HIT THE TRACK RUNNING

Region & Route:

Nearly 200* apprentices have started work at railway depots across Britain after completing their first year at Europe’s largest engineering training facility at HMS Sultan in Hampshire. 12 of those are based in south Yorkshire at Doncaster, Sheffield and Retford.

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

Paul Rutter, route infrastructure maintenance director said: "Getting out on the railway, learning on-the job, responding to incidents and gaining experience from our specialists is a vital part of our apprenticeship. Every day they will be part of a team making sure we get three million people to work and home again. It’s rewarding and of great value to Britain.

“The railway is becoming ever more popular and we have big plans for making it more reliable, efficient and better value for money; our apprentices will play a big role in that.”

He added: “We now have the building blocks in place so that beyond their apprenticeships, our engineers can undertake an HNC, a foundation degree and then a full degree in engineering. They can earn while they learn and go as far as their aptitude, attitude and ambition can take them.”

Simon Kent, aged 25, a Network Rail apprentice based in Doncaster commented on why he joined the scheme: “Having already completed an electrical apprenticeship, I found myself in a career with few long term prospects. I came across Network Rail’s scheme and quickly realised that the company offered me a chance to not only transfer my existing skills into a challenging and dynamic engineering environment and to add to them on a daily basis, but also the opportunity to work for a company that encourages and supports my desire for real career progression.”

In Sheffield, Craig Dobson is keeping up a 140 year old family tradition by being part of the scheme. Every generation of the family back to his great, great grandfather in 1871 has worked in the rail industry. Craig 24, is now based in Sheffield, working under supervision and gaining vital on the job experience as he trains to become a signalling maintenance technician.

He said of his stay in Gosport: “Throughout the year there have been great opportunities to enhance my engineering skills and outlook on life. I have worked with a high standard of equipment as well as being tutored by experienced and knowledgeable engineers. The social side has also allowed me to live alongside my fellow apprentices, which has been a great experience and I have certainly gained valuable life skills along the way.”

Asked why he joined the scheme he said: “My brother had joined the programme in 2009 and had given me an insight into the scheme. Listening to my brother’s stories of both educational and social activities, I decided that I would apply for the scheme myself because of the great opportunities it would give me.

“I had worked alongside my uncle for a while doing a bit of electrical work, so I have already had pervious interest in this type of work. Signalling gives me the opportunity to work at different engineering levels too and I am currently enjoying working alongside the S&T faulting team.”