IT Apprentice Review

My role currently consist of working with the P&PS (Project & Programme Services) sector within Network Rail. This consists of meetings, data analysis, presentations and many more things. I will switch eventually to a different section to experience a different sector of the business, but P&PS is where I will remain for the time being.

The whole concept of being in a business environment is to get stuck in with as much as possible to develop your skill set, but also to learn new skills and build this as time goes on. Most important skill I have improved so-far is my interpersonal skills, as my role consists of talking to people 24/7 and creating a good rapport from the first conversation.

I am thoroughly enjoying the programme so far! I have got involved in so much since being here and feel as if I an important member of the team. Also, what I am doing is making a significant contribution to the work being produced by everyone and it is good to see how I am helping others.

To begin with (like in any business) it is a bit touch-n-go with different things but after a few weeks I fully settled in and everything was organised as well as a solid structure being put into place. I know everything I now need and know exactly who to speak to when something needs doing and I am incapable of it.

Everyone within Network Rail is happy to help! I am managed to network well so far and make lots of new contacts that I am now able to go to when I need help. Everyone is aware of the apprenticeship programme here, so people want to get involved with our learning and development.

My university is Sheffield Hallam and they are amazing at providing everything I need towards my degree, as are NetworK Rail. The university is constantly in contact with us apprentices as well as our manager to ensure we know what is expected, to answer any questions and to just provide support and help when needed.

I am learning stuff in my IT degree that is essential to my role when working on more technical work. When I need to complete certain things such as fixing hardware or writing code, then I can use the skills learnt in my degree so far to help support me to get the task completed.

There are hundreds of different activities to get involved in at Network Rail. This ranges from sports to workshops that are non-work related and also 'plogging', which majority of the time are free. Everything is advertised online as well as within the business for ease of access for when someone wants to start something new.

Yes

There are so many opportunities to network and meet new people, but also there are things I will do here that most people won't have access to for a good few years so I can develop my skill set from now onwards to give me the advantage over others when I do new things in the future.

Make sure you stand out! Lots of people apply for the apprenticeship degree programme here, but you need to have something about you that makes you stick out from the rest. Also having the right qualifications is a necessity and showing the willingness to learn and proving that Network Rail is where you want to be!