Maintenance Engineering Technician Apprentice Review

I am a Maintenance Engineering Technician Apprentice. I am currently training at Network Rail's training centre in Coventry. I am in class from 0815-1615 5 days a week, as well as 0815-1215 Saturday morning. I am studying things such as bench fitting, maths, management, and Health and Safety. I interact with the other 88 apprentices as well as instructors and admin staff.

Yes. I have learnt how to manufacture metal components to very low tolerances. This includes filing, sawing, drilling and measuring. I am also taking a management course. I have been learning leadership skills as well as organisational and management skills. I also have a new appreciation for health and safety thanks to the health and safety course that I am on.

I enjoy the programme very much. I enjoy spending time with my fellow classmates/colleagues and the lecturers are all very high quality. The extra-curricular activities are excellent - the facilities provided for these are of the highest quality. The food and accommodation is fantastic, and the atmosphere is very friendly. The work is intense but manageable and interesting.

I feel valued by Network Rail. I believe they are spending £70,000 on me in my first year and it really shows. I have been provided with a uniform, as well as food and accommodation. These are all very high quality. We have lots of support so if we ever have a problem there is always somebody we can speak to.

The programme is very well organised. The timetable for the first 6 months was clearly laid out from day one. If there are any changes to the programme then we are told about it well in advance. The day is clearly structured with a regular timetable, 0815-1215 in the morning and 1315-1615 in the afternoon.

I receive lots of support from the Babcock instructors. If we are struggling with a subject then we can get help from the instructors both during class or outside of classtime when they are in their office. Any personal problems are accommodated for, and if our circumstances change then we can tell them straight away and they will accommodate us.

We receive lots of support from Network Rail. We all have an ADF (Apprentice Development Facilitator) with whom we have regular meetings to discuss our progress and wellbeing. We can always ask for help if we need it and Network Rail will accommodate any problems that we might have, such as disabilities.

Network Rail cover all of our transport costs to and from the training centre in Coventry and our homes. All food is provided, as well as our accommodation and uniform. The first year salary is about £8200, as well as a £1100 bonus at the end of the year. The salary rises each year of the apprenticeship.

Yes. There is a gym on site that is fully staffed outside of our working hours. We are able to use this at no charge and is of the highest quality. Network Rail organise volunteering events that we can sign up for, such as fun runs or helping out the National Trust. There are also quizzes every Thursday night.

Yes

I would recommend Network Rail to a friend because every aspect of the apprenticeship is very high quality. Network Rail invest a lot of money into each apprentice and it is obvious that they want to look after you. You have a guaranteed job at the end of the apprenticeship, providing you complete all the courses.

Make sure that you prepare thoroughly for each interview. Research Network Rail and the industry before all of your interviews, especially any recent news or developments. Make sure you have lots of examples prepared for the interview so that you can tell the interviewer how you react to a situation. On the assessment day, make sure that you interact well with the other candidates.