Apprentice Review

My day to day role includes a big variety of things. On some days I am out maintaining the train tracks and doing things to keep the railway running safely and smoothly. And other days consist of doing faults, this means if there are any faults in the area we will try to fix them.

On this advanced apprenticeship programme I have learnt many new skills, skills that I did not have before joining this apprenticeship scheme. There are also many skills that I had prior to the apprenticeship but the apprenticeship has allowed me to build, better and develop some of my current skills.

I have very much enjoyed, and am still enjoying my current apprenticeship programme. The programme has allowed me to grow as an individual and grow in many different aspects. It has opened up a new career path for me and I now look forward to my future career with the company.

The apprenticeship programme is somewhat structured in a good manner. In the first 6 months of my apprenticeship I styed away from home at an amazing facility called Westwood which is in Coventry and everything there after with moving to my work place after the 6 months was very good.

I feel as though there was a good amount of support at varies parts on my apprenticeship. I feel that some parts of the apprenticeship had more support to other than other parts and aspects of the apprenticeship did. I think there could have ben slightly more support when needed.

When working towards my qualifications I feel like there could have been more help and support. There was help there some of the time but I feel as though some of the trainers/teachers helped a lot more more and offered much more guidance than some of the other trainers did.

I feel that a lot of the work did not help me throughout my role. A lot of what I learnt from my training provider a lot of my colleagues at work had no clue what it was due to the fact that they have never needed it even after being on the railway for many years.

When spending my first 6 months of my apprenticeship programme at Westwood in Coventry there was quite a lot of social activities, sporting teams and events to get involved in but not so much now. However, I have been on a few professional events in which I was able to network.

Yes

It is a very good apprenticeship[ schemes, one of the best tha tI have seen. It offers a decent salary, good benefits and the high possibility of a long lasting career within the company. The company puts a lot of money in to its apprentices and it is quite evident.

If I were to give any tips or advice to others applying for the Network Rail apprenticeship scheme I would say that it is an amazing and fantastic opportunity that would be great to be involved in. And to keep an open mind because you will learn something new everyday.