Apprentice Review

I work fairly flexible as an apprentice aiming to complete a 35 hour week, I create a timetable/work plan and use it to fill my time with placements, keeping my self busy by involving my self in different areas with different line managers help. For example I'm apart of Network Rail LNE asset protection team however I've worked with asset protection for the first few months of my apprenticeship, since then I've had experience with Work Delivery project managers, site manages, contract track renewals and I've had 3 months with a track maintenance team and hope to get some more time in with those guys. So I've had a varied experience with office life and track life in Network Rail as well as dealing with Network Rails contractors. The aim being to learn the company and pick an area that I find interesting to learn if possible, if not then I'll have wide knowledge and experience of company activity.

I've completed track modules and competencies that allow me to work on or near the line. I've re-covered my college work, re-completing a similar level 3 diploma and re-done a level 2 qualification in engineering operations. I'm developing work based skills all the time but rather re-doing work or work that's not relevant to my job it would be nice to learn new things in the class room to excel my work life. However it's good opportunity for those who haven't learnt the subjects but if you have it's like been held back at school for five months while the rest catch up and then the qualifications you get may not be relevant for your job. The apprenticeship doesn't consider individuals or certain positions. Their is a lack support in that regard.

I enjoy the programme I build but I can only build my programme because of the lack of programme given to me. For example a track or signalling apprentice gets their role laid out to them. They learn from experienced people and implement the knowledge learnt and experience gathered. While learning on the job they complete task books, dairies and collect information as evidence. However I'm an off-track apprentice placed in a office with the asset protection team, which I do enjoy but the apprentice scheme has nothing but the title of apprentice to support me. Often I use line managers to help assist me on how best to manage my self. Now I can gather all the things above like any other apprentice but none of it is relevant to me, If I wanted as an off-track apprentice I could dedicate my learning experience to the office never setting foot on track but yet I'm learning the role of a track technician in the classroom... Because line managers are helpful, people in different jobs are willing to take on an apprentice and because I'm an apprentice (paid to learn) with free time I can organise a enjoyable work based learning programme for myself.

My programme is well-structured. I have made an excel sheet organising my time which managers can use if they wish to see what I have planned and where I have been or will be. The work plan as I call it details different placements and what periods I'll be away on apprentice training. Apprenticeship team factors in with training away and organising details of what happens when on training.

I receive a lot of support when I ask for it and that is all I can ask for. If I ask of a managers time the relevant manager might use an hour of their time in helping with whatever concern I have raised. In terms of apprenticeship team when I asked the apprentice team based at Sultan they helped to try and secure track placement for me. Things like help me a lot because it helps to grow my contacts and gain more from the apprenticeship with little cost to the company.

Babcock or Network rail trainers provide enough time so you can the qualification you need. However Network Rails trainers are better at helping people learn the subject and engage better. Babcock seems more interested in getting the pass as fast as possible which takes away how much you actually learn and how enjoyable the experience is. I think it no fault of the trainers but company ethics restrict how much quality can be delivered. How example at college I learnt a lot about different materials and their mechanical properties over a year but with Babcock I did the same subject with limited poor information designed to deliver the minimum amount of information required to pass, this subject was delivered in a time space of less than a month. At college I learnt the subject over a year. The aspect been the Babcock trainer had a degree in the subject but is forced to deliver poor information because of time restriction. I learnt to a level 3 standard and I could see half true information, the trainer would point places where the presentation he was delivering was wrong but wasn't able to deliver and explain why it was wrong because he had deadlines to met. Some apprentices want the learning done as fast as possible but I'd rather break it up and come back to it if it meant I learnt and retained the knowledge, that period of training is of little help if the knowledge is provided to cram knowledge and not retain it. I guess it upsets me to see my time wasted, NR is a really good company to work for but the I was advertised a Engineering Apprenticeship.

When on track the training provided by Network Rail is a big help in assisting the team with work and aids in my learning experience. However my role is an asset protection apprentice not a track apprentice. The training provided by Babcock went over what I had already done but in 5 months not 2 years. I took away hand fitting techniques as I learnt machining at college but either is relevant to my work in Network Rail. Others no doubt will have had a more positive experience.

Teams celebrate holidays and ends of projects with social drinking events or a nights out but other events or activity's I'm unaware of but it doesn't mean they don't happen.

Yes

It's a really good company and if you find your feet it can be enjoyable place to work. Managers are supportive and will listen to concerns when asked. Hours can be flexible and network rail provides benefits often in the best interests of its employees. Individuals safety is respected and if you feel unsafe its encouraged you speak up, baring in mind each persons self risk matrix's differs. Although I'm often on more likely to risk than others I like the culture that encourages people to speak up and maybe share a different perspective often with my own safety concerned even if it doesn't ring alarm bells to me, a situation I've self risk assessed as fine is different to another. Of course safety is important but the culture is the important bit when considering a work place.

Research the Rail industry beforehand and keep in mind NR is a big company. If your not put off by the idea of working for the railway then there likely a position for you if your ready to feel around for it.