Electrification and Plant Apprentice Review

My role is as a Electrification and Plant Apprentice is to maintain a wide variety of electrical assets on the railway. This is quite a varied role assisting with maintenance on everything from air-conditioning to wiring up buildings, to the high voltage maintenance in substations. Locations vary each day, often visiting multiple sites in one day.

I have learnt a lot about what it takes to maintain the railway and what goes on behind the scenes to keep it running smoothly. During the first year I learn a lot about the science and theory behind working with electricity. In years 2 and 3 I learn more practical electrical work and have been putting it in practice in my job.

Most of all I have enjoyed learning new things. I am a slightly older apprentice and to be given the opportunity to be able to learn new things and get paid for it has made me extremely grateful. They break up the program with a mixture of theory and practical which is good.

They do look after you and the work is not overly stressful. If you’ve worked for other companies you will appreciate a lot how well Network Rail look after their staff. At times you may feel your a small fish in a big pond but over time you’ll feel more and more part of the team.

The program is well structured. After the call to say I had got the job I didn’t hear much info or a structure of how the rest of the recruitment process would be. I did have to make some phone calls to them to find out what was the next stage and when my medical was going to be. Once your in though it’s very clear what you need to do. The first 6 months are at Westwood training centre and it’s very nice there, you get your own room and the facilities are very good. In years 2 and 3 you go back for training to Gosport every few months for 2/3 weeks.

The staff there are all very good and have a lot of knowledge. The things they teach you in a E&P class can be applied to many industries. At Gosport the training feels more railway specific and it involves a bit more practical. Sometimes there’s a bit of homework but maybe it averages 2/3 evenings a week. If you struggle with anything they have a very good support network and staff are all very approachable.

You get a lot of support from network rail apprenticeship scheme staff. Once your in depot your put with a team and they will guide you and take you under their wing. A lot of them used to be apprentices as well and appreciate what you have to do to complete the apprenticeship, as throughout years 2 and 3 you have to get evidence and do some assignments of the work you are doing in depot.

Training is very good, you spend your first 6 months living at Westwood, days are typically 8am-4pm, evenings your free to do what you want, pop to the local shops which are a walking distance. Facilities are great and although salary is low they provide you with 3 meals a day and gym facilities, so there is not much you need to spend your money on during training. After this as long as you budget it’s defiantly a liveable wage.

During training there are loads of extra activities to take part in if you wish. Also you come across a wide variety of people with this comes a wide variety of activities. Football being the classic one but if you like more chilled things people arrange cinema trips, meals out etc etc. At my depot they have a football team, chuck yourself in if you want, even if your rubbish it’ll help with all those breakfasts at the cafe.

Yes

I’ve had a couple of different jobs and this is by far the best! The training is really great and you get paid to learn. Your food and accommodation is all paid for during training and you get access to the gym. It’s a varied job and it keeps you fresh.

If you don’t succeed the first time then apply again, I didn’t didn’t get a interview the first year I applied but did the second year. Do some research on what discipline might interest you and what each one entails as you may be asked your preference at your interview.