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Tuesday 15 Mar 2016

Swindon railway engineer urges young people to consider a Network Rail apprenticeship

Region & Route:

| Wales & Western: Western

| Wales & Western

Apprenticeships provide a fantastic opportunity for anyone who wants to learn new skills and is prepared to work hard and get ahead. This is the message during National Apprenticeship Week from Jay Williams who completed his Network Rail apprenticeship in 2011.

Since graduating from the apprenticeship scheme, Jay, 24, has had four promotions within the company. He now works as a signalling asset engineer in Swindon and recently achieved his dream of buying his first home.

He said: “I didn’t have the easiest start in life, but joining the scheme gave me the opportunity to turn my life around. I’ve worked hard, and in the space of seven years I’ve gone from being homeless to owning my own home.

“I would, and often do, recommend the scheme to anyone and everyone that will listen. Hopefully I am living proof that apprenticeships give young people the opportunity to create a real future for themselves, irrespective of their background.”

More about Jay’s story can be found here.

Research from Network Rail shows that its Advanced Apprenticeship Scheme puts people on track for a prosperous and rewarding career. A survey of graduates from the scheme found that:

• More than half of those surveyed were the first among their friends to buy a house (52%)
• Almost three quarters (71%) said they were the first in their friendship group to be promoted
• Nearly half (43%) say they are on track for a senior management position within the next five years
• 69% of those surveyed said they feel they are in a role where they are making a real difference
• 62% of our graduated apprentices feel they have made decisions that directly impact the business

Mark Carne, Network Rail’s chief executive, said: “Our apprenticeship scheme has been running for ten years and we are incredibly proud of what our graduates, like Jay, have gone on to achieve. Many tell us that our scheme has fast-tracked them towards achieving personal and professional goals ahead of their friends, such as managing a team and buying a house.

“Our graduated apprentices are living proof that there should be no stigma associated with apprenticeships, and that with the right attitude and work ethic, you can reap the rewards alongside those who have chosen a university route. In fact, many of our apprentices have gone on to gain higher qualifications, including degrees, through our education programme. I would urge employers, teachers and parents to join forces to educate young people about the fantastic benefits that an apprenticeship can offer, both in a personal and professional capacity.”

Network Rail apprentices form part of the company’s 20,000-strong orange army of front line engineers and technicians who maintain, renew and upgrade the railway across Britain. This year, Network Rail is looking to recruit 150 apprentices nationwide to help deliver its £40bn Railway Upgrade Plan to provide a bigger, better, more reliable railway for passengers.

More information about Network Rail’s Advanced Apprenticeship Scheme is available on the company's website.

ENDS

Notes to editors

About Network Rail’s Advanced Apprenticeship Scheme

Network Rail’s Advanced Apprenticeship Scheme is a three-year programme that equips people with the skills and experience to become a maintenance engineering technician. The scheme is open to applicants who will be aged 18 by October 1^st 2016 and has no upper age limit. There are five engineering programmes: track, signals, electrification and plant, signal design and telecoms. Each one gives you the chance to work in a critical area of the business, where your development will continue beyond the three years of the scheme.

Pay and benefits

As an Advanced Apprentice, you’ll earn while you learn, with free food and accommodation during the period of your residential stay in your first year. There are plenty of holidays: 28 days plus bank holidays and Network Rail will pay for apprentices to travel home for long weekends and Christmas, Easter and summer holidays. During the scheme, you can claim all our company benefits too, such as discounted train travel to and from work and a pension.

Qualifications

After three years, apprentices will have the qualifications (NVQ, BTec and ILM (Institute of Leadership and Management)) and skills to develop a long-term career with Network Rail. Many apprentices complete their first year and soon start to think about their career options – and many set their sights on becoming technical officers, team leaders or managers. There are even further opportunities to study a foundation degree for those who demonstrate the commitment and ability.

About the research

The survey was conducted in July 2015 by Network Rail and polled 355 employees who have completed the company’s Advanced Apprenticeship Scheme.