Electrifiction and Plant engineering Technican Apprentice Review

I am an Electrification and plant Engineering Technician Apprentice where I maintain the electrification and plant infastruction on the railway. I work within network rail and sometimes with other contractors.

From the Apprenticeship I gain qualifications in: BTEC Level 3 Award in Engineering C&G Level 2 Performing Engineering Operations (PEO) Key/Functional Skills Level 2 ILM Level 3 C&G NVQ Level 3 C&G 2377 PAT Level 3 C&G 2384 Regs Level 3 C&G 2394 Inspection and Testing New Installations (Initial Verification) I also have the ability to gain railway specific competencies for working out on track. I have learnt a lot of new skills from both working out on track on the equipment and training course.

I enjoy the job that I am in. I find the work challenging and rewarding, the people I work with are helpful and knowledgeable. I get to spend a lot of time doing hands on work while gaining a lot of useful qualifications.

most of the time I feel like a valued member of the teams that I work in. I get the opportunity to take part in a large amount of jobs and working on lots of different projects and tasks.

the program is very structured. the first 9 months are spent on a residential course where there is a lot of support to help to find your feet. once at the depot there is a clear learning path and I know what jobs I must do between my training courses to complete my apprenticeship

during the fist year we were trained by Babcock international. they were supportive when I came to them with problems but lacked some sensitivity in some issues.

I receive a lot of support from my employer. we have a dedicated apprenticeship team who will help with any problems faced while at work or with coursework.

I feel that our salary meets my needs. there are schemes in place to help with daily travel costs. our pay also increases as you advance through the apprenticeship.

during the residential course there are many out of work opportunities to take part in. there were organised trips to the Brecon beacons, marathons and bike rides. there was a scheme in place that you could apply for money to do activities that you wanted to do outside of work. we also had the opportunity to take part in the military field gun competition at the end of the residential course. There is also a company wide scheme where you can take an extra 10 days annual leave to do charity work.

Yes

it has made me a better person and has given me a possible career for life.

if you pass the online tests you basically have a job. in the interview just be yourself, they are very relaxed. take every opportunity that you get in the first year, its unlikely you will every get the chance again.