Network Rail Apprentice (Track) Review

the role i have done n the Apprenticeship is a track maintenance Apprentice. this involves day to day tasks maintaining the different aspects of the track inclduding sleeper changing, rail replacing, ballast consolidation, wet bed removal and also more technical jobs doing surveys and datum monitoring on platforms and structures. i have also done some work with track inspection going out on track walks ensuring the track is checked for any faults or defect and recording these defects for the Section manager to prioritise for remedial action. my responsibilities as an apprentice are not very high as i am only an apprentice and am there to learn however i have been given some responsibility within the technical team dealing woth records and files to input into online systems and shared folders so that it is shown as complete work.

I have learn many new skills including how to do certain jobs out on track from the basic things such as how to dig out and fill beds in properly to working out calculations for jobs such as Stressing to achieve the correct pull needed. qualifications i have recieved include a BTEC Level 3 in Engineering, NVQ level 2 and 3 in Railway Engineering and ILM level 1, 2 and 3. Additional training from my home depot includes travelling down to Gosport, Hampshire for 2 weeks at a time every three months to complete courses to gain competencies for the Apprenticeship to be then mentored on when back at the depot. i have learnt many new things throughout the apprenticeship aboout different jobs including tolerances and limits to be implemented on track when lifting and packing the track, Tamping the track and working with the Track Geometry as well as knowing what hazards may occur before and after work is done and what to do about them.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the program and feel it has set me up well for a career within the Company. the work done is fair and challenging which i feel is a good way to work as at the end of each day i feel like i have contributed to the output of the team. the people i work with both at the depot and in Gosport for the training i get on well with and there is always banter as well as hard work done which is a good balance when working. the culture is also fair as the shift times and methods done at work are sensible and appropriate to the jobs to be done. it met my expectations better than i thought as i didnt really know what to expect but from going through nearly 3 years i have integrated well into the teams and met alot of good people who i enjoy working with and it has allowed me to think highly of the Company.

i feel valued by my manager as he is always making sure i am on certain jobs and wanting me to gain as much experience as possible as he wants me to learn as much as i can on the Apprenticeship. i feel quite valued within teams i have worked with as i work my hardest tin jobs and people appreciate the work i do.

the Apprenticeship is very well structured as in the first year i was living down in Gosport with all other Apprentices and put into a class where me and my fellow apprentices would learn the things needed for the work incldugin our BTEC level 3 and NVQ level 2. this allowed me to then have some knowledge before going out on track full time which i did in the second and third year and learning more and more each time i went out on track. throughout the second and third year i would go back down to Gosport every 3 months or so for 2 weeks for more training to gain competencies to pass me through the apprenticeship and come out with these competencies after being mentored which are needed for different jobs.

i recieve alot of support from my training provider as he/she is always there to answer and questions i may have and will not just answer them simply but will advise on other answers as well as sometimes there could be more than one answer and will discuss with you the different outcomes so that i learn a whole range of different aspects for what i wanted to know.

i recieve much support from my employer as he, as i mentioned in a previous statement, is always ensuring i am on certain jobs and as many different jobs as possible to gain more experience and learn more for the apprenticeship. as well as this he is supportive when i have my 12 week reviews as he reads through my daily diary and is happy with what i have been doing out on track and if there is a time where he feels i havent been out on certain jobs enough he will advise me to get out on them.

For an apprentice wage it is pretty good as in the first year it is low however the accomodation and food is free and so the wage is more like spending money rather than money needed for bills etc. in the second year the money goes up as i was living back at home and was enough to pay for the things i needed inclduing board, car and other expenses. in the thrid year the money went up again and i was still able to afford all of my costs.

there is not a major amount of opportunities outside of work from the company itself but there is a lot of members of the company who set things up like different events and group days etc that can be attended.

Yes

because it is a good way to set yourself up for a career and i myself have ebnoyed it thoroughly and i know some of my friends would as well.

ensure that you learn a bit about the company for the first interview and ensure you go through interview techniques so that you deliver a good interview. also ensure that you prepare all of the relevant paper work needed including certificates and a CV.