Overhead Lines Apprentice Review

Overhead Lines Apprentice in a projects depot, which typically means a lot of varied, new installation work on the OLE. Day shifts typically involve walkouts, which are visits to future worksites in order to check for the best access points, structure numbers for isolations, earthing bond examinations to ensure it is safe to work with. Walkout paperwork and reports follow. Day shifts are also used to complete the relevant legal forms for upcoming night shifts - i.e. Form B, C, IDF, STED. Night shifts are where most of our work is done: Isolations for our own or contractors, contact wire replacements, insulator pot upgrades, earth bonding, droppers. Most of the work is at height, working on a platform suspended in the air on a specially adapted rail road vehicle.

I have developed a range of (new) skills since joining Network Rail. The railway is a rather niche industry to work in, so a lot of the equipment and skills picked up are not necessarily what you would learn in other industries. For me, the biggest development would be tool hand skills. There are a range of precision tools in use on the Overhead Line Equipment (OLE), so this is something which I have become acquainted with. Whilst in Westwood, everyone gets to go on a ILM level 2 training course and in year 3, the scheme takes you on to level 3 leadership training which can be applied across all walks of life.

The programme has been varied to keep things interesting, with a range of practical and vocational elements. Twice a week there was a fitness segment which broke up the day nicely. I have enjoyed most of the programme, but there are times when the content being taught feels a bit far fetched from what we will actually be doing out in the real world.

Generally, the programme is structured well, but it does require and instil independence and trust in the individual, to ensure training delivery dates are booked off in depot, hotels and transport sorted and so forth. Training-wise, the delivery has been generally spot on with usually more than enough time to complete assignments without the need to rush too much. I do feel that some longer assignments should be released sooner (with sufficient help sheets) to provide plenty of time to complete the assignment - otherwise, it can mean spending a few evenings on the work.

The support has been good and everyone I have come across at Westwood / Depot is more than happy to assist you, whether that is a tutor over lunch/after lesson, or a 'mentor'. Regular meetings are set up with the mentor and line manager to provide feedback to/from all parties. If any issues arise here, then these can be resolved as soon as possible. "If I do not know the answer, I can find out or put you in touch with someone who knows a bit more on the subject."

Support is provided as and when it is need generally. If one is struggling with any aspect of the work, speak to the tutor at the time and they will be able to help in anyway that seems fit - whether that be an additional deadline time, after lesson assistance, or extra attention is lesson to help you to understand the content.

Whilst the level 3 qualification provides a good overall understanding of the railway and the surrounding infrastructure, it is not necessarily, at least for OHL, the best tailored to the discipline, versus say, track. Whilst the qualification is excellent for contextual awareness, giving additional insight into how other infrastructure can affect the OLE, I believe it could be more closely linked with the NWR theory taught down in HMS Sultan in preparation for the OLEM1 qualification (which is an official competency on the Sentinel). Some of the qualification is fairly technical, such as the Electrical and Mechanical Principle modules. This is great and would help you perform better if working alongside the technical team, or hoping to at a later date.

At Westwood, there is a gym, pool, bar area (with pool, table tennis, games consoles etc.). The gym hosts cohort-related challenges to get involved with. The bar hosts various house competitions, quizzes and so-forth. In depot, our team host regular social events (usually going out round town!) as a lighter means of catching up with colleagues.

Yes

During my assessment centre, one of the guides for the day exclaimed that he had never had a bad day working for the company in the couple of decades he had been working for the company. As you do, I took this as a pinch of salt, but have come to agree, as I have not either had a 'bad day'. In depot the culture is generally a very good, jovial one with plenty of banter. The workload is interesting, diverse and the shift pattern helps detract from a same-y routine - for me, every week is different. The scale of the business means that you can go pretty much where you would like, within reason and for me, the development opportunity is one of the reasons I joined.

Firstly, make the jump, get through the various testing processes, assessment centre and so forth. Be honest, read through the disciplines which interest you and whilst on your assessment centre ask as many questions about said discipline to the representing party. Expect to travel throughout the UK over the three years to various training centres (Portsmouth, Walsall, Coventry etc.) and learn something new each day.