Track Engineering Apprentice Review

My role is to learn the day to day activities of railway technicians. Over the course of my apprenticeship i am required to spend different amounts of time with different departments that operate on the infrastructure, including: Track maintenance, Track signalling, Technical office (Surveying), Ultrasonic testing of the rail and Electrification of the line. My discipline is track maintenance and it involves maintaining the tracks and geometry of which the trains run along. As the Track (Permanent way) discipline, we provide the base for the trains to run safely along.

Everyday. I am always being taught or learning new skills which are helping propell my career. I have also been sent on courses to gain new skills and competencies which allow me to safely use the different tools and other courses to understand why certain maintenance activities are carried out on the infrastructure.

I really enjoy my programme. It is the most challenging thing i have done in my life and i am always busy learning new skills. Even talking to the other colleagues that have been on the railway for years they even state that they have never stopped learning because the railway is always developing.

I feel very valued as part of Network rail. Network Rail have put an opportunity infront of me and i have totally taken it on and in return i feel that when i learn enough skills to be competent in the role that i am desgined to take i will be a productive part of the team. Network Rail as a whole constantly state that Apprentices are the future of the infrastructure and i personally see this by how much we are valued.

In my local area it is very organised and my plans are set out and there is constant communication to allow me to progress even more, which is helping me a lot.

I have countless people that have given me contact numbers and email adresses which will allow me to adress any concern that i may have or help that i may need.

My local employer provides the utmost support which is truly helping me to progress in my learning.

As an apprentice, it obviously isnt full pay but it does cover my costs of living and travelling to work. It also raises every year during the apprenticeship which also helps and it also is an added incentive to continue providing the best effort i possibly can as the years change.

There are benefit programs which allow discounts on restaurants, phone contracts and other various benefits which are very helpful.

Yes

I thoroughly enjoy it and the amount that i am learning really is making me feel like i am accomplishing things everyday.

An apprenticeship on the railway is one of the most rewarding things you could do. If you are lucky enough to have the opportunity to get a place on the advanced apprenticeship scheme then dont give it away! Use it to your advantage and it will reward you in many ways.