Virgin Trains sponsored degree programme

[pinguini]

A job with a difference...it’s very own degree programme!

In 2013, Virgin Trains is embarking on one of its most exciting projects yet – offering 3 year fixed term full time job with the UK’s best-loved and well-known Train Operating Company that incorporates a 3 year degree programme delivered in conjunction with Manchester Metropolitan University!

What’s involved? Three things: A full time job with Virgin Trains PLUS studying (block release) for the BA (Hons) Business Management degree at MMU PLUS two online modules from the Institution of Railway Operators Certificate qualification. The programme is block release, with 3 weeks working at Virgin Trains and one week studying at MMU Cheshire.

In year one Virgin Red Track Crew members will work at the front line of the business with our Onboard, Stations, and Control and Resourcing teams. In year two, Crew members will spend 6 months in two different areas such as Finance, HR, Learning and Development, Recruitment, Sales and Marketing, Catering Logistics, Revenue Management, Production, Fleet and Engineering. Then in year three, Crew members will work in two different areas or decide to specialise and spend their final year with one department. You will also have a senior member of the VT management team as your mentor.

Tell me more about the job? It’s a 3 year fixed term full time role – 35 hours a week – and depending on your interest and aptitude, could be in any area of the business in years 2 and 3. If you are whizz at finance, our finance team would love to see you. Fancy working in a station in the future? We have a station waiting for you. Want to get involved with making sure the trains run on time, every time? Then our Control team is for you. There are so many options – all that’s missing – is you! You could be working shifts; you will be doing lots of travelling. You will be working hard – and learning lots.

What will I study? The three year degree consists of 4 core units in year one: Business World, Finance for Business, Managing People and a Business Negotiated unit. This final unit is a work based project. Assessment is by assignment with only one examination during the whole year. Year Two includes Managerial Law, Marketing, Employee Development and the second Business negotiated unit. Year Three units are Global Enterprise, Strategic Management, Marketing Communications strategy and the third work based project – Enterprise. Each unit needs about 300 hours study (this includes your time at Uni) to complete. There will be homework!

How will I study? For one week a month you will be based in Crewe. This is where the MMU Campus is – just across the road from our own Virgin Trains Talent Academy. You will have all the benefits of our purpose built training site AND access to all the things that students need – library, online study access, students union, sports facilities, activities, concerts and social events at the MMU Campus. For one week a month you become a full time student. The course is delivered through a series of workshops and lectures, case studies and tutorials with lots of practical and hands-on activities. There will be study time to complete assignments and each student will have access to an MMU Tutor for academic support as well as support from their mentor back at work.

Where is it based? Study is based in Crewe, but you could be based anywhere on the West Coast line for your full time job. We give you a duty train pass so travelling isn’t a problem, and if you live too far from Crewe to travel to study every day, you will join our other Crew members at the hotel we use just across the road from the University for your study weeks. You could of course sort out your own accommodation – that’s up to you. The other thing to remember is that in the first year you will on occasion be working shifts and weekends. The only stipulation we have is that you live within easy travelling distance where you are based for your full time job. But I live in Glasgow and my base will be Birmingham!!!! Not a problem –we will help you find accommodation local to us.

Do I get paid? This is the really good bit...YES!!!! We are offering a package of £18,575 a year!!!!!!! What about those Uni fees? We will take the Uni fees directly and pay them to MMU on your behalf. Your final salary before tax will be £12,000 per year. In addition you will get a duty pass to travel free on our trains, join our pension scheme and have access to Crew Card free leisure travel after the first year. Sounds like hard work! It is. No kidding – this is going to be hard work. You will be working full time, studying for a degree, in the first year completing the IRO Certificate modules, learning new skills, spending time away from home, travelling from one end of the country to another, possibly working shifts and you are going to be completing assignments and assessment – AND doing all the student stuff too. No idea how you are going to fit it all in! But you will, because only those who are really up to the grade are going to join us.

More details here http://www.virgintrainscareers.co.uk/VacancyInformation.aspx?VId=52548

 

[Bayum]

If I hadn't just finished a post-graduate masters, this would be almost perfect...

 

[telstarbox]

What if Virgin Trains isn't around in three years time?

 

[reapz]

Sounds pretty cool a great way to get into the railway

 

[pinguini]

Sounds pretty cool a great way to get into the railway

I think its fantastic - a very innovative response to University fee increases and unemployment, combating both. It would be great to see similiar schemes from other companies.

I forsee a lot of applicants!

 

[All Line Rover]

I forsee a lot of applicants!

240 UCAS points is CCC at A-Level. 280 UCAS points is BBC at A-Level. If this is really what they want (with no apparent desire for certain subjects or dislike of others such as General Studies), yes, I can see this being very popular! It seems a good entry route to the railway profession. I struggle to understand what VT want out of this, though. Do they want trolley dollies (there is nothing wrong with being a trolley dolly!) or competent managers?

 

[northwichcat]

240 UCAS points is CCC at A-Level. 280 UCAS points is BBC at A-Level.

It says 240-280 UCAS points so I'd assume that means if it's popular then it'll be 280. It also doesn't mean they can't reject applicants that are expecting to get or already have 280 UCAS points.
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If I hadn't just finished a post-graduate masters, this would be almost perfect...

It doesn't actually say existing graduates are excluded. Although I don't think you'll be accepted if you have a BA in Business already but what if you have a technical based BSc and are looking to move in to management?

 

[Brystar35]

I saw this that Virgin Trains were advertising and I became interested that it could get me a chance to come to the UK and do this even though I know virgin trains only has a couple of more years left or maybe it can be extended more years as well.

Anyways where i am from the United States i have a High School diploma plus college credits from a college and university i both attended, also I have Volunteer experience with a Railway Museum where I am living at in Miami, Florida, I want to know what will that translate to the UK for it, I can be one of those foreign exchange students, I am currently saving up alot of money with my current job which is Retail to relocate to my career and this could be a major breakthrough for me.

Also it could help me go up to become a Train Driver (we call it Railroad Engineer in the States) and Operating the British Rail Class 390.