S&T Technician Review

I am working towards becoming a Signalling technician. This involves day to day carrying out routine maintenance, like servicing points machine, signals, AWS, TPWS and more and also being on call to attend faults when required so that the railway infrastructure remains working at all times of the day and night.

I have learnt and developed new and existing skills. The apprenticeship has allowed me to developing my skills as well as develop my electrical and technical knowledge and how to maintain and service electrical components. I have learnt many new skills including the skills required when working in a team.

I enjoy the apprenticeship scheme as it has helped me to become a part of something big. It has been a fantastic opportunity to make life long friendships and the world class instructing at the training facilities have helped me a lot and it also makes the everything really relaxed.

The programme is well organised and everything seemed structured from the day we started up until when working at the depot. The structure is very effective and the training at the residential site was very good as that helped build and gain basic skills and knowledge, which would become very useful later on in the scheme.

I receive a lot of support from my employer and they are very helpful if I need to ask any questions and are very friendly. They provide me with all the information and resources I need to make sure that I have a good work place and that safety is always there.

In the initial residential period of the apprenticeship the training provider BABCOCK had a good and structured programme. They assisted when needed with all NVQ work and the information they provided made the reports fairly simple and easy to understand. Some of the trainers were fantastic whilst others, especially one, not so good, and this made it very daunting for some apprentices.

The qualifications I am doing help me a lot in my role as a signalling technician as it has enabled me to develop knowledge and skills, enabling me to work safely on the rail way as well as developing my skills and I can also develop new skills such as team leading.

there are many opportunities that you can be involved in things outside of work related things. There is a huge variety of opportunities so everyone of different interests and tastes can be involved and a lot members of the teams meet up outside of work time due to them creating a bond.

Yes

I would recommend it to anyone because Network Rail are the ones who are responsible for keeping the railway moving and you can easily have a long lasting career with them. it also plays a huge role in contributing to the country as it helps people go about their daily lives.

You have to make sure you have safety in mind even during the interview as the company Network Rail is a safety critical company. you should also be able to prove that you can work hard and that you are prepared to graft as well as being interested in the chosen discipline.