Network Rail apprenticeship - good career prospect?

[milkachoc]

Network rail apprenticeship

Hey guys, for a bit of information I’m 30, male and I’m looking for a change in career. I haven’t actually ever had a career just a failed acting dream and then a succession of jobs that I haven’t been nor have I wanted to be in long term. I’m currently in a job that has far far too much paperwork and responsibility and im looking at my options. I came across this as I live in Northamptonshire and would be so close to me. The salary of £21.5k isn’t great but I live at home and I could make it work. Thing is I know nothing about what this career could entail as it even says “
Each of our apprentices will specialise in a pathway relevant to the depot they’re based at. The pathways are Track, Signalling, Telecommunications, Overhead Lines, Locking Fitter, and Distribution and Plant. These disciplines will see you getting hands-on and repairing our tracks, working with high voltage systems, heights and specialist tools, repairing major signalling failures, supporting our telecommunications systems, or keeping our power flowing safely and efficiently.

Please note that your discipline will be allocated to you according to your geography and what the need is at your local depot.”

So it’s really unclear what I’m even going to be doing. Plus 3 years seems a little long for a level 3 qualification. I liked the idea of being out and about, plus being in a van as I like driving a little bit too. Can anyone that actually knows about this path or potential career advice me what I would be getting myself into? Thanks guys

 

[md81]

This is a physical sort of job, mostly outside in all weathers and the starting salary is low, but once qualified you will earn alot more.

Id bite their arm off if offered. Network Rail are an excellent company

 

[class442]

As you're in Northamptonshire, you have many locations to choose from, depending which end of the county you're in, including those just over the border, ie Banbury, Bletchley, Bedford, Rugby.

There's no harm in applying, especially as the start is not immediate, you can see where it goes and find out what role you would be offered.
I would say even though you start as an apprentice, there could still be a lot of responsibility once qualified, as a lot of this stuff is safety critical.

 

[AndyYorks]

Hi, I am not an expert on the apprentice scheme and only my personal comments, but having spoke/worked with a couple in the past from what I can gather, the roles are pretty much entry level maintenance tech roles (so a great way in) so as mentioned typically outdoors initially. I believe that you can state a preference to what discipline you want to work in (ie, Signalling, Telecoms, P&D, OLE) but you will get ultimately get slotted into a discipline were the vacancies are. Progression is pretty much based on yourself, and the size of your DU, and your line manager's support. Often, you can progress into a Section Manager role, Works Delivery Manager (minor works), Office based in the DU (such as Section Planning), Control Centre Techs in the ROC (not much out doors), - or elsewhere in Network Rail such as Projects (a popular step) or into a larger programme of works (TRU) in both technical and non-technical roles.. If you like the idea of being out and about, plus being in a van/hands on roles then you may want to just stick in the maintenance side. Projects often book maintainers for weekend works (eg offer on-site project dedicated 1st line response - or carry out switching on a standby generator to enable a local disconnection) so there is often weekend work once you get qualified and fancy some Over Time.

Defiantly apply, once you have that offer you can then make that decision based on the interview questions you ask. To some extent once in, you are in charge of your own destination.

 

[trainzrus12]

im currently on the course, typically out on track within 3 months, you'll learn everyday your at work on track and at depot. if your on the L3 course then you get to pick a depot but you may not always get that specific depot but it will be within a 1 hour travel of your home. you dont get to pick your discipline per say but some depots only have certain teams working there, so if there depot A and B depot A is P-way/track, D&P and Ultra-sonics and depot B is S&T, Ultra sonics and P-Way/track you will get an idea of what to expect. some depots only serve one . Picking your preferred depot will increase the chances you get put in a desired discipline. if you take the L6 course you pick your discipline but you dont serve a specific depot and is alot more office based compared to the L3 from my knowledge. YR1 starts off as you doing a few computer based learning activities then you start getting your competences and meeting you team and other teams. a few networking events and then your on track by winters end . mixture of day and night shifts, assignments for your qualifications (BTEC, NVQ and PEO), work related learning e.g what a track void is or what permits you need for different jobs. be prepared for your interview where you will be asked questions about yourself and your knowledge of the railways, it may have changed now but you will need to have either a slideshow or a written document talking about a network rail project and its impact/benefits.

The person whos written above me is pretty much spot on especially the topic around progressing to higher roles

 

[Yzerman]

Great company you could look for
Operative roles which will
Be a higher salary than an apprenticeship

 

[trainzrus12]

Great company you could look for
Operative roles which will
Be a higher salary than an apprenticeship

only thing i will say about that is by the end of the 3 year course you will come out as a technician while some operatives stay as operatives for a while depending on your region

 

[thecrofter]

As one who started as an Apprentice back in the 1970's, I can't speak highly enough of a career "on the railway". Obviously things are different now with the upcoming formation of GBR which nobody knows how will pan out in time, but if you put in the effort only your ambitions will limit your opportunities. As an example, one of the two apprentices I started work with in 1972 went through the ranks and finished his career as a Non-Exective Director of Directly Operated Railways. Can't get better progression than that!