Engineering Apprentice Review

I am an engineering apprentice working for London Underground. I am based at REW (Railway Engineering Workshop). In REW, various pieces of equipment from both trains or track come in for either repair, overhaul or modification. My role currently is to learn the processes behind the overhaul process and to undertake overhaul work. Recently I have worked on motors, various pieces of electrical equipment and gearboxes.

During my apprenticeship, I have obtained a BTEC level 3 in Electrical and Electronic engineering, as well as completing various courses required to carry out my work. These include track certificates, access cards, crane courses and abrasive wheels. During my time so far, I have had the chance to develop my hand skills in assembly and manufacture, as well as learning a great deal about how the equipment I work on works.

I have enjoyed my apprentice ship as I have met loads of great people, and I have made a range of new contacts in various fields. I enjoy the work I carry out, knowing what I do affects millions of people daily.

At TfL I feel like a valued member of staff, and when I do a good job I am thanked and congratulated on a job well done. There are various awards that can be obtained as part of the apprentice programme and as part of London Underground/TfL.

I feel the programme is structured fairly well, as you always know what you shall be doing for the next year at least. The first year is well set out, but it can feel a little rushed as there is a lot to cover. There are weekly safety meetings, and monthly review meetings.

I feel I get support, but not as regularly as I would want. We have monthly meetings when there is suitable time to do so, but we do not meet with our training provider(outside company to LU, Redwood Training) as regular. If we need support at any time, our line managers are always available to talk too.

I received enough support to complete my apprenticeship, and time was always made for me if I ever had to meet a manager or discuss any sort of problems.

The salary at TfL is enough to live in London, and cover all your needs. Travel does not cost anything as you get a staff oyster card.

There are many outside opportunities such as volunteering with STEM, or attending training/employment events to talk to potential new apprentices. There are various clubs such as the London Underground Cycling Club.

Yes

There are many areas of work you can head into, there is a very good salary and benefit scheme, a very good pension, and TfL is known world wide so you have the potential to work anywhere in your chosen field anywhere around the world.

Be honest in your application and interviews and practice the types of assessments you will need to complete during the assessment day.