apprentice signal maintenace technician Review

signalling apprentice technician. so far I've had the chance to learn a lot of new skills including brushing up on old ones from school, I am an older apprentice and doing this has allowed me to get back in to the swing of learning new things. Our tasks are as broad as technical hands on work, to theoretical work. my time so far has been very fun and enjoyable. We are left to our own devices and this gives us experience of being responsible for our own work, gives us opportunity to express ourselves and gain new life skills.

Yes. At the end of year one we gain a BTec in engineering. A lot of the engineering principles has been a further push on from Standard Grade physics I did at school and enjoyed this module a lot. Of the three hands on courses I've done, I have learned how to wire and test, fault find and solder. I found these new skills difficult to learn at first but very fun in the end.

Thoroughly enjoyed my programme. I've met friends for life. I really enjoy being out working at depot and no two days are the same. this was something that appealed to me when applying for the position. the company has many benefits and I look forward to making the most of them in my future career.

I feel valued at Network Rail, however being an apprentice it's difficult to gauge this at this point in my career. I feel though that the fact the company is investing so much money in me that they must want me to succeed! after all we are the future of Britain's railway.

from day one the programme is structured to a good standards. the support they have set up for us is incredible and they help you with any problems you have. sometimes certain classes will help you to understand others, i.e. electronic principles would help with soldering circuits together and these can sometimes be muddled but due to the number of classes this is difficult for time to structure. however lecturers are good at helping any way they can and even staying behind to help you finish work.

As I've already stated we receive a lot of help and there is no shortage of people on hand to give advice. We have facilitators that help with anything going on in your personal life as you are living here away from home for a long time. academically there is Babcock staff also set aside to solely help with these types of problems and everyone is welcome to use this or not at their discretion

My employer pays for all my travel to training courses as well as food and drink. Thy push us in directions to 3rd party companies that can help us through our career such as unions and organisations that can help with further education or even financial difficulties as well! their attitude on this is positive and open.

My salary for my age could be better however network rail are reviewing apprentice salaries so this should change for the better very soon. the pension package and care schemes in place are first class and I have absolutely no complaints at all regarding this. as mentioned travel costs are paid for to training courses so they do treat us pretty well.

yes they encourage us to engage in sports and extra curricular activities as much as we can. this develops our personal skills and keeps us active and free from boredom. they allow us to go out at weekends. as well as this they have volunteer schemes to raise money for charity. when I wasn't working I was either playing sports. watching sport on TV and socialising with friends

Yes

Massive career opportunities, with a support network as near as big as the company itself. for me it is a career for life and its an exciting one at that!

its a tough process to get on the scheme but try and be yourself, and answers to the best of your ability. Assessment days are designed to test you but you don't have to take charge in everything you do on the day. again be yourself and relax, the interviewers are engineers themselves so they understand how nervous you will be as its a well sought after job.