Apprentice fleet engineer Review

My role involves completing depot placements where I am accompanied with train maintainers and advanced train maintainers to learn how to maintain the London Underground train stocks. This included mechanical maintenance and electrical maintenance. I can be at any London Underground depot which allows me to gain an overall knowledge and experience across the fleet.

I have developed a lot with my tool handling skills and this is necessary for a lot of the mechanical maintenance. I have learnt a lot about electrical systems and reading and understanding drawings such as schematic drawings which detail how an an electrical system works. I have worked with many different people which have improved my team working skills.

I really enjoy my programme because it allows me to gain the relevant knowledge at the same time as gaining all the important experience which I would use towards the job. I prefer a job where I am more hands on as I do not like to be sat at a desk all day on a computer.

It is very well structured and we know what to expect. However, some decisions are left last minute which doesn’t help me with planning, whether it be my commute to a new depot placement or booking annual leave. Overall, we know what to expect over the 3 years of the programme.

My employer has offered support by providing relevant training opportunities to improve and compliment my training within the apprenticeship. The company helps a lot with travelling to work helps reduce the cost to travel. My employer regularly reviews my progress to ensure I am meeting the required standard or work.

The training provider has so far provided learning on engineering maths which is useful for my day to day duties at work. We have also done some lathe work which is a good skill to have but unlikely used un the depot environment, rather, a manufacturing or repairing workplace instead.

I think the qualification is well recognised in the rail industry and should hopefully allow me, along with the experience receive, to progress further in my career. The knowledge in the qualification is relevant, not only with how work is carried out but also the Health and Safety in the workplace.

I am am aware of some sports teams like football teams, but it is not something which interests me personally. Within the company, there are so many opportunities to network and meet others in different sectors. This, especially as an apprentice is so important to learn about the roles of others.

Yes

It’s a great company to work for. The staff benefits are great and the job has security. If it is an apprenticeship, the experience and knowledge is relevant to the career you are working towards so you feel prepared and confident by the time you have completed the programme.

Look into the programmes and ensure that it is what you want to do and think about the shift patterns as they can be somewhat disruptive. Make sure for your interview you are prepared for it and have don’t some background research and plenty of practice with family and friends.