An Engineering Apprenticeship with Network Rail is the first step into an exciting career in the Rail industry. As part of our team, you’ll help shape national projects, embrace the latest tech and learn the skills to succeed.
Our Level 3 Engineering Apprentices get to team up with experienced engineers at one of our depots, so they can learn what goes into keeping thousands of miles of power lines and tracks up and running, and fit for use.
Whichever area of engineering you specialise in, one thing is guaranteed, you’ll be doing work that makes a difference to millions of passengers every day. Do well, and once you’ve completed your apprenticeship, you can set your sights on an unlimited number of career options, with plenty of opportunity for further training as you progress.
Who you are matters
We look for people who can stand out from the crowd. People who love working in a team, yet have the capability to make judgements based on their own knowledge and experience. Your eye for detail, and the ability to solve problems, will make you a valued member of your team.
You’ll find yourself out in all weather, around the clock, seven days a week, so you’ll need to be flexible about travelling and working shifts, and be up for working in all conditions. And the health and safety of your colleagues will always be at the forefront of your mind.
What you’ll be doing
Training is blended with a mix of online and face to face training from our regional training centres.
Before progressing to a placement with an engineering team at your local depot. Here, you’ll be given a pathway to specialise in. This will relate to the needs of the depot you’ve applied to. Potential pathways include:
1) Track
You’ll get hands-on and repair the track network to keep the railway safe and efficient. You’ll gain broad exposure before working through your technical or maintenance grades.
2) Overhead Lines
Keeping 10,000 miles of overhead power lines mechanically sound and in the correct position is challenging. You’ll work with high voltage systems, at height and using specialist tools to power the railway.
3) Signalling
You’ll maintain the equipment that moves trains safely in a highly complex and fast-moving environment. One minute you could be working on a major signalling failure, the next supporting a large engineering project.
4) Telecoms
You’ll work on site in equipment rooms and trackside to support a wide range of telecommunications systems. You’ll gain experience of copper and fibre optic cables, SDH transmission and Ethernet router systems, GSM track to train radio and other modern IP based voice and data systems.
5) Distribution and plant
38% of our network is electrified You’ll help keep power flowing safely and efficiently. You’ll work on systems with supplies as low as 50 Volts up to and above 33,000 Volts as you maintain and fault-find equipment
What you’ll get out of it
After completing the course, you’ll not only have your NVQ Level 3 in Railway Engineering, you’ll also hold the Institute of Leadership and Management Level 3. You could even have further support and sponsorship from us to attend university and the chance to achieve professional qualifications. Because, when you start your career with an engineering apprenticeship, anything is possible.
Your benefits matter
- Your salary in the first year is £19,838, and will increase each year.
- A London allowance worth £3,100pa for those who qualify.
- 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
- 5 volunteer days to contribute to your favourite causes.
- Access to our employee assistance program, to help you with any finance, family, health or wellbeing issues you have.
- Up to 75% discount on rail and underground season tickets.
- Discounted online shopping.
- Healthcare club membership discount.
- Childcare vouchers.
- Access to a range of pension and insurance schemes.
- Two weeks paid reserve leave for members of our Armed Forces community.
The opportunities it leads to
Many of our apprentices go on to hold senior positions within Network Rail, taking on roles such as Programme Managers, Principal Engineers and Maintenance Delivery Managers.
The entry requirements
You’ll need at least GCSEs in English Language and Science at Grades 9 – 4, Maths at Grade 9 – 5, and one other subject at Grades 9 – 4. Or you’ll hold an NVQ or BTEC Level 2 or above in an Engineering subject or equivalents.
Entry requirements matter
- Four GCSE’s:
- Maths, grade 9-5 (A*-C)
- English language, grade 9-4 (A*-C)
- A science or engineering subject, grade 9-4 (A*- C).
- One other subject, grade 9-4 (A*-C)
- For Scotland it’s four Scottish Standard 1-3/National 5.
- NVQ or BTEC Level 2 or above in an Engineering subject is acceptable instead of a science GCSE
- NVQ or BTEC level 2 is acceptable instead of the one other subject
- We accept the equivalent qualifications from all the UK countries.
- We accept iGCSE’s
- We accept Functional skills Level 2 in Maths and English instead of the GCSE (nb -All 3 parts in English must be completed)
- We’re happy for you to apply while you’re still sitting your exams, as long as you’ll have your results before the start of the scheme. If we offer you a place it will be conditional on you achieving the qualifications before the start date.
- If you gained your qualifications outside the UK we’ll need a NARIC translation.
- We accept most equivalent qualifications but there are some that we can’t accept as they don’t provide the right level of prior learning. It’s not easy for us to give a complete list so we do reserve the right not to accept a qualification. If you’re not sure just get in touch with us
- If you are successful and we offer you a place you’ll need to show us your certificates