Apprentice Review

For the first 6 months, I was based in Coventry at the training centre - Westwood, along with around 160 other apprentices. This was completing core theoretical skills. After that 6 months I am now based within my depot, currently I am within the technical track team. This is where we inspect the rails for different kinds of faults, also checking the gauge of the platforms and other structures; bridges and signs.

The theoretical parts were easy to complete, although it was nice to have my mind refreshed of certain areas. After the 6 months in Coventry, while at the depot you have to go to HMS Sultan for your NVQ and in-house training, I am set for my induction soon, so I cannot comment on this yet.

I do enjoy it, I feel the 6 months in Coventry and also the training facilities and benefits are very good but I do feel there could be more communication within the company for apprentices.

I feel very valued and ensured that when there is a chance to know something, I am told, even if I don't necessarily need to know. You are treated like an existing member of the group when you go to the depot, but at Westwood it is much a school environment, this has its benefits and negatives.

Like in the questions above the 6 months in Westwood are second to none for organisation, they have everything structured from the day to day of classes, to the activities on the evenings, as you are on the site for the majority of the 6 months. After Westwood the programme is mainly based at the depot and parts are based at HMS Sultan for training and also 2 returns to Westwood. I feel that the programme is thought through properly.

There is plenty of support for all apprentices, from the theoretical parts, you can ask for extra tuition and even pastoral care.

Support is good when you're at the depot with your work as your colleagues are clued up on the matter and will be able to assist you. I have been already offered help and I haven't had work to complete yet.

The salary is okay due to the first 6 months being based at Westwood. You don't have to pay for anything if you didn't want too. Now I am at the depot, having expenses it is a bit tighter. One or two overtime shifts a month and its an extra bit of money which helps out. The second and third year seem okay.

Not that I know of at the current moment. There is a lot of volunteering that can be done and you can have up to around 3-4 days of voluntary leave to help out with causes. At Westwood they complete the Coventry 10K run for charity and having cake sale days etc...

Yes

You have to look at the bigger picture when applying to the scheme. You have to realise the amount of development that is required on the railways and that the work will not run dry in our lifetimes. There seems to be a massive push on apprentices to work their way through the company and become higher up within the company. There are also very high wages to be earned.

To take your time and not overthink the tests, take them at your own pace. At the assessment centres, you need to be confident but not excessively confident.