Engineering Apprenticeship For School/College Leavers

[isitafox]

Just a heads up for anyone leaving school or college this year, Network Rail are doing a big recruitment drive which may be worth a look for some people on here. This is taken directly from our internal website;

Applying for the scheme

This year, we are particularly interested in recruiting apprentices for key areas such as Swindon, Reading, Basingstoke, Guildford, Woking, Wimbledon and Clapham.

We are also seeking 50 recruits along the Great Western route, where billions of pounds are being invested in electrifying the railway over the next few years.

Would-be apprentices should visit our apprenticeship Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/ontrack (external access required) – which contains all the details of the scheme and how to apply.

From apprenticeship to a degree

Apprentices first spend a year training alongside the Royal Navy at Europe’s largest engineering training facility, at HMS Sultan in Hampshire. There they learn both the technical skills required to work on the railway and develop leadership and teamwork behaviours to make them more effective in their roles.

For the next two years, they learn their trade, working within an experienced team and regularly returning to HMS Sultan for additional courses and training.

Michelle Palin, who heads up apprentice recruitment, said: “Once trained, today’s apprentices will, be part of a 35,000-strong team.

“The bespoke training and education they receive can be just the start. Beyond their apprenticeships, our best people can undertake a higher national certificate (HNC), a foundation degree, and then a full degree in engineering – all without a university debt.

[PaRtZ]

So its more aimed at those with a practical interest in train mechanics and repairs rather than being a mechanical engineer (as in design, stress test, FE, project management etc.) ? Im graduating with my Masters in Mech Eng this year, would consider network rail but I don't think what you've described is aimed at myself.

[isitafox]

So its more aimed at those with a practical interest in train mechanics and repairs rather than being a mechanical engineer (as in design, stress test, FE, project management etc.) ? Im graduating with my Masters in Mech Eng this year, would consider network rail but I don't think what you've described is aimed at myself.

Nope, we have nothing to do with trains really that's the operators job. Network Rail is purely the infrastructure the trains run on so very much the design, stress test, FE, project management etc.

I'd say if you're coming away with a masters it'd definitely be worth enquiring to see what's available, there are so many different areas of the company I'm pretty sure you'd find something to suit your degree. NR love hiring graduates as well, management were determined to snatch a girl from our signallers course when they found she had a degree.

[ashleys sugden]

anything round near here dave?

[isitafox]

Not sure, you'll have to check the link and see what it says, I can't actually go on it as ironically Facebook is blocked on our system.

I'd have thought some of it would involve travelling around to various parts of the country though as it does say

Apprentices first spend a year training alongside the Royal Navy at Europe’s largest engineering training facility, at HMS Sultan in Hampshire. There they learn both the technical skills required to work on the railway and develop leadership and teamwork behaviours to make them more effective in their roles.

For the next two years, they learn their trade, working within an experienced team and regularly returning to HMS Sultan for additional courses and training.

[ashleys sugden]

ah right ill have a look through, cheers

[dezmtber]

Network rail pay engineers loads too

[isitafox]

Not as much as they pay signallers though, and they have to work for it too!

(Though the engineers would have a qualification to carry on to another job, I have simply the ability to sleep whilst 1500tons of stone rumbles past)

EDIT: In all seriousness though it's definitely worth looking into and could lead onto a great career.