Apprentice Review

MY overall day varies as I work days and nights. On days, I might go out on patrol, seeing if there are any faults (noticeable faults) and recorded my findings. On night shifts, I might have to complete an heights and stagger of the overheads, conduct instructive inspections or wire reviews. It is extremely varied.

Since starting with Network Rail, I have learnt different hand skills needed to operate tools such as torque wrenches and/or spans. Additional I have learnt new life skills such as communication, advance math equations and more. Some skills I have developed such as being customer facing and other skills.

I enjoy learning my trade as I an working. My apprenticeship has given me the chance to learn a useful trade skill whilst having actual time within the career. Additional, the people around me have been extremely supportive and helping me find my feet with the team envirourment that I have worked in.

The apprenticeship programme has been laid out in an extremely easy to follow format with help along the way if necessary. Not once have I struggled to follow my designed path and if I were unsure of anything regarding my programme, a range of different people could guide me back on the path.

I have received a lot of support from my employer regarding my apprenticeship but not only from my employer, but from my immediate team members around me. Since stating my apprenticeship, I have never felt left on my own as they are always happy to guide me to where I need to be.

I had to complete an original 6 months away before I was able to join my team. Since then, I have been supported by my team and by the other training days that have been provided since joining my depot. I feel that I have received a lot of training from my provider regarding my course.

With all the training that I have received with the additional weeks away completing actual training courses, I fee; that the training provider has performed extremely well. They have made sure that what I have been sent on (training courses) are relevant to my job rather than being a throw-away day off work.

For my role, I do not complete any extra-curricular activities such as social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events. I have been invited to attend an apprenticeship meet and greet with potential new starts with the course however I was unable to attend due to being away on training.

Yes

Network Rail is an employer which treats each person as an valued member rather than just another clog in the machine or another number in the machine. They have provided extensive training to make sure I am competent within my role before allowing me to complete a task unsupervised (allowing me to practice before throwing me in the deep end)

Be yourself and do not panic if you are unsuccessful in your first attempt. I was original pushed back and kept on the 'reserve' list and was (on my first attempt) unsuccessful. Two months later, I received a call saying 'we liked you so much, we want to bring you around for a second interview and move your original interview over'. Sometimes its about keep going until you are successful.