Apprentice Review

My role as an apprentice is to observe what maintenance do and to learn the jobs so that I can apply for a role in track maintenance in the next 2 years. I see inspections of track and the maintenance of the formation.

I have learned time management, organisation and many other skills during this apprenticeship. It has also helped me work on my leadership and communication skills over the year that I have been employed.

I thoroughly enjoy the lifestyle of this programme. I enjoy the variety of tasks and shifts that are available for me to do. I would recommend this programme to everyone as it is a good opportunity.

The training courses at Westwood and Sultan are very organised and informative but at depot the organisation is less so as sometimes the managers are unsure of what to do with you. There is a lack of communication between the apprenticeship programme organisers and the line managers.

I receive a lot of help and support from my line manager and from Network Rail and Babcock staff. I have visual dyslexia which means that I require overlays for computer screens and paperwork, I received these from my manager and the Babcock staff straight away.

I get a lot of support from the training provider as the courses consist of PowerPoint's with relevant information on them for the assignments that I am completing to pass my apprenticeship. When at depot it is less so as the instructors take time to reply to emails.

I feel that the qualifications help me as I can then use them to apply for higher paying roles and if I wish I can apply for external roles. I feel that the qualifications give you the base knowledge of engineering.

For my role, I do not complete any extra-curricular activities such as social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events. I have been invited to attend an apprenticeship meet and greet with potential new starts with the course however I was unable to attend due to being away on training.

Yes

because network rail is a good career an it pays well. everything is well thought and executed you can do anything. you can work anywhere. you can continue to progress and everything is well. its all good . I like this apprenticeship its great. I like trains you like trains we like trains

to research the company and push for more training. apply early. phone to check where your application is. do other research. enjoy it but also focus on work as you can get behind really easily. you must have drive to be able to push through and achieve a lot with network rail