Signal Maintenance Technician Apprentice Review

As an apprentice, I am training with the Babcock staff in the necessary engineering units relevant to the railway. When I join my depot, I will be training on the railway to fault find and maintain devices such as points machines to ensure that everything runs as smoothly as it can.

Before coming to the training centre I knew nothing about any relevant railway maintenance and fault finding skills. After coming to Westwood, I have learnt skills such as soldering and crimping wires and terminating them correctly into the relevant terminations. I have also learnt more about electrical and electronic circuits.

I enjoy it because I like to develop any skills I currently have and to learn new skills. I also enjoy understanding how the theoretical elements and components fit in with the practical builds that we do in class. This helps me to understand the work that we carry out.

It is structured enough that we do different classes in between our practical classes. This helps me learn how to apply concepts from other classes to the practical units to become more efficient and perform work quicker and with less effort. However, sometimes there have been subjects too close together where there have been a lot of assignments.

We receive a lot of support from the employer. If we are not able to finish a unit in time, then Network Rail give us the opportunity to come back after we have officially left Westwood to come back and redo the unit until we have officially been deemed competent.

The support from the training provider is good as, if we are falling behind on work, evening classes are held to either help us catch up with work, give us guidance on any assignments that we are struggling with or even just to deepen our knowledge on modules that we have completed.

I think the qualification will help a lot towards me performing better in my role as the concepts of continuity and IR testing are fundamental in fault finding and maintaining electrical and electronic equipment. Also, the course teaches persistence and shows who is dedicated to getting the job done (right first time through).

At Network Rail in Westwood, the classes are split into houses which can compete against each other in sporting events. Network Rail also have a gym and a swimming pool where regular classes are held to further the current fitness levels of anyone who so wishes to attend these classes.

Yes

Network Rail provide an excellent opportunity for any apprentice and employee to progress through the company and further their knowledge on the work that they are performing and work that Network Rail are planning to achieve in future. It also opens avenues to other fields after education has been completed.

To anyone who wishes to become an apprentice, they need to persist through the time at Westwood as it is a very intense time (with practical units and assignments from theoretical units) and know that their time at depot, whilst being challenging, will be very rewarding and a lot more enjoyable.