Overhead line apprentice Review

Overhead line apprentice. Day shifts usually involve carrying out track patrols of wire runs looking for new faults and recording them. Night shifts are where the main hands on work takes place, as this is the only time when we get access to do our maintenance, and even then its only for a few hours as the TOC's want to run trains as late and early as possible.

I have learnt many new skills since joining this apprenticeship. I have gained a large amount of knowledge of the overhead line and how the railway operates. The internal overhead line training courses are excellent and you learn more there in a week than what you do the whole time at Westwood.

I enjoy the day to day work when I'm at depot, everyone who I've worked with has been helpful and willing to share their knowledge and experience with you. The only thing I don't enjoy about the programme is amount of travelling you have to do during years 2 and 3, but it is for courses so its worthwhile.

I feel that I am valued by Network Rail as I receive recognition for my work from my manager and colleagues. I am encouraged to meet and work with people from different departments.

I feel that the programme poorly structured as a whole. I feel that the programme is at least 6 months longer than it needs to be. The learning during 6 months at Westwood, whilst useful, most of it was irrelevant and much of it I have forgotten as I haven't used it in my day to day job. A lot of the bloat on this scheme is down to Network Rail needing the funding from the Skills Funding Agency. So things like having to do functional skills exams for Maths and English, even though you need GCSE's C+ to qualify for the scheme. The qualifications you gain are not the greatest either. The BTEC level 3 in engineering is the only this that's really transferable, as the NVQ3 in railway engineering is rather niche. Plant and Distribution apprentices have it better though, as I believe they can come out of the scheme almost ready to become qualified electricians.

Some tutors at Westwood were better and more knowledgeable than others. The Network Rail training staff that deliver the courses at the training centres are very knowledgeable and have years of experience.

Personally I receive a lot of support from my employer, as I work with a mentor who is able to answer a lot of my questions. I also see my manager regularly who takes an interest in my apprenticeship. However I know a lot of other apprentices at other depots across the country will say the opposite.

First year salary is very poor compared to many other highly regarded engineering apprenticeships, most likely due to it still being the same rate as it was when apprentices spent the whole of their first year living at HMS Collingwood and having no rent, food or travel expenses to consider. 2nd and 3rd year wages are barely better than national minimum wage, depending on your age. Network Rail do offer a 75% subsidy for train season tickets and run cycle to work schemes every year if that interests you.

When at Westwood there are many sports and social activities that are put on in the evenings organised by the staff. There is also the opportunity to volunteer for community work whilst at Westwood, as well as sports events for charity. I believe Network Rail also has a charity leave policy, which allows you to take time off to volunteer for a charity.

Yes

I would only recommend this apprenticeship if you plan on building a career in the technical side and progressing into an engineer/management role or higher. If not, and you want to work on shift and stay on the tools then I'd say just join off the street as an operative. You might not get access to some of the better courses like OLE 1,2,3 as quickly but you will be earning at lease twice the amount as a first year apprentice and wont have to go through all the hassle of coursework.

Research the company and the major upgrade projects that are going on as it will help you in your application process. Research into the different disciplines and choose one that interests you the most. Revise your Maths and English before doing the online assessments. Be confident, ask questions and know what role you want to do when you go for your interview. Make sure to get involved in the group task at the assessment day, they are looking for people who are pro-active and show initiative.