Principal Technical Officer Review

I have just been awarded the role of Assistant maintenance engineer for the Electrification and Plant. I will be leading a team of 3 in the technical office and will be assisting the Maintenance Engineer is keeping a reliable and safe electrical railway infrastructure. Working with the technical team involves collecting and processing data from the field and building a picture for the engineer to help them make sound technical decisions. This involves asset condition trending, Investigation of failures and even carrying out tests and special inspections. Everyday I take the time to breakdown my workload into important tasks, some managerial others technical and a bit of administration.

During my apprenticeship I gained a lot of new skills from recognised qualifications such as the City and Guild inspection and testing skill and ILM Level 3 Leadership skills to other more practical skills like working with specialist tools and working on specialist equipment on the railway.

I had really enjoyed spending time with people I would never have met before. Spending a whole year with 250 other apprentices was an amazing experience. I also enjoyed the practical activities we did in particular the leadership training course.

When I started the apprentice was still in its early days and so had teething problems and the company culture had not fully adopted the idea of an apprentice. Now however I and many others have managed to bring in some change and am now a mentor for other apprentices and am working to improve this area within my depot.

The program was fairly structured. It delivered what it promised in the first year with slight issues on meeting what the day to day railway environment required but this has undergone a lot of improvement and is still being improved.

The trainers where knowledgeable and skilled in the specific field. We had a lot of support and I was assisted in my goals to exceed a lot of my targets.

In year 2/3 I was working with my new team and received a lot of support and training from them. Their experiences and knowledge had been invaluable to my development and helped me complete my apprenticeship well.

During the apprenticeships first year we were housed on a navy base which provided food and accommodation. This made it very easy living with a small pay cheque. Years 2 and 3 saw a £3k increase on the initial pay which helped with the transition of living on the base to living at home. I don't know how one could live with such a pay while renting though as it was still small.

Having been here at Network Rail for almost 9 years, I have not seen a lot of company events happening outside work accept a few charity events thrown by individuals. A lot really depends on the area you work and the relationships you have as some areas seem to have sporting activities and clubs while others have nothing.

Yes

The railways is crucial for the growth of the UK economy and is part of everyday life. The railways is here to stay and someone has to keep it running safe and on time. Network rail is currently that someone and we will do the best we can to deliver a safe, reliable and cost effective railways. Joining this industry is the beginning of a good long stable career.

When I talk to you people and apprentices about this company I always make a point to tell them to make sure that even before considering Network rail, be involved in a lot of activities around you. Volunteer, work on a project, Work for an engineer firm or something that requires you to tinker with technology. I believe this company needs diverse, create and versatile individuals who are up for a challenge. Study the company, Study it's vision, it's mission. Build an awareness of the different campaigns were are running and really get to know the world of railway engineering. If you just think Trains when you here Network rail, then you wont pass an interview that I would be conducting. So make sure you know what Network Rail does.