Apprentice Review

I got assigned to a team when I arrived at depot, I follow that teams roster which includes working day and Night shifts. I work at an Faulting and Maintenance depot, this means that we undertake planned maintenance unless an fault occurs on our patch and then we would immediately attend this if it is serious. The reason why Network Rail do maintenance is to prevent an fault arising.

I have learned many new skills, I attend HMS Sultan roughly for 3 weeks every 3 months, where I take exams and if pass earn competencies to enable me to be more qualified. The first 20 weeks of my apprenticeship was based at Westwood in Coventry where I learned general engineering knowledge, and im learning everyday working with my team out on track for faults and Maintenance.

I enjoy my programme because everyday im doing something different from doing maintenance on Signals, AWS, TPWS, Track circuits, Points and working on any fault which arises on these equipment's. I have regular meetings with my line manager to discus my progress and areas I can improve. There is a lot of course work I have to complete during the apprenticeship to help me work towards my NVQ however this has helped increase my knowledge of the Railway.

The programme is organised very well, I spent 20 weeks up at Westwood in Coventry learning general engineering and after this I regularly attend HMS sultan in Gosport to learn about more specific railway engineering. I have regular meetings with my manager to discuss my progress and the next steps to take to be an important member of the team.

I have received a lot of support from my manager, I know that if I am concerned by anything I can always see him. Safety is taken very seriously on the railway and I know if I didn't feel safe at any time I can raise the issue with the COSS (Controller on site safety) and my manager.

I receive support from my training provider when undertaking the courses before the exams. For my NVQs all the work is done by me but I know if there was an question that needed clearing up because maybe it didn't make sense I can email my training provider to seek guidance on this question.

The qualification I have completed because of my training provider has increased my knowledge massively. I'm lucky as an apprentice I have completed a lot of training courses which will hopefully help me progress further after my apprenticeship. Especially the courses I have undertaken at HMS sultan in Gosport because those courses are related to task I undertake every day.

When up at Coventry for 20 weeks there was a lot of sporting actives going on outside of work such as football and we had access to an gym and swimming pool. At HMS sultan too I have access to the gym and an Astroturf football pitch which we can book out for an few hours.

Yes

If you are willing to work hard there are a lot opportunities to progress in the future after the apprenticeship and it has the potential to be an job for life. You undertake different task every day which makes it very interesting and you will learn a lot of skills that you will keep for life.

Research the company in advance because there are a lot of different disciplines to work in from S&T (Signals and Telecoms), P way, Electrification and Plant, Welders, Locking fitters this is so that you can join the discipline which you think you would enjoy the most. Be prepared to work hard because there are a lot of courses you undertake.