From the Network Rail press releases:
RAIL APPRENTICES GET ON TRACK TO WORK IN SOUTH WEST
Twenty one apprentices have started work for real at railway depots in Gloucester, Bristol, Swindon, Plymouth, Exeter, Newton Abbot and Par - joining the league of 200 bright sparks in Britain to have completed their first year at Europe^s largest engineering training facility.
The apprentices specialise in track, signalling and telecoms, electrification and plant, property works and mechanical locking. They will work under supervision in teams gaining vital experience over the next two years as they train to become maintenance technicians. They will return to HMS Sultan for further courses and training throughout this time.
Chris Rayner, route director at Network Rail and who has started his career on the railway as an apprentice said: ^Britain relies on rail so it is vital to invest in our people and our future with apprenticeships. We^re training the next generation of specialists with the latest technology to deliver this success in a modern, efficient way ^ it^s a career that brings great value to Britain.
^Learning on-the-job with experienced teams enables our apprentices to understand the industry and their role far better than they can in just a classroom. Once the training is complete, they are already an important team member helping to deliver a better railway for everyone.^
Among the apprentices are two young women, Emma Taylor and Hannah Moody from Swindon and Bristol respectively, who specialise in signalling.
Emma, who is originally from Salisbury, said: "After looking at many different apprenticeship schemes, Network Rail had so much more to offer than others. The facilities are brilliant and the instructors are passionate about what they teach us. It is also about meeting new people and practical learning. It has been great learning a discipline which is completely new to me whilst acquiring nationally recognised qualifications.^
Hannah, who is originally from Worle, said: ^If you^re willing to put the work in, you^ll easily find the course enjoyable and in the practical classes you will find that the girls are just as able as the boys. The silver lining of having less girls on the course is that all the girls know one another - It^s a bit like having all your really close friends just a door away. You also get a lot of support from the people around you, and the residential staff are always ready to listen.^
RAIL APPRENTICES GET ON TRACK TO WORK IN SOUTH WALES
Six apprentices have started work for real at railway depots in Cardiff and Swansea ^ joining the league of 200 bright sparks in Britain to have completed their first year at Europe^s largest engineering training facility.
The apprentices will work under supervision in teams gaining vital experience over the next two years as they train to become maintenance technicians in track, signalling and telecoms. They will return to HMS Sultan for further courses and training throughout this time.
Chris Rayner, route director at Network Rail and who started his career on the railway as an apprentice said: ^Britain relies on rail so it is vital to invest in our people and our future with apprenticeships. We^re training the next generation of specialists with the latest technology to deliver this success in a modern, efficient way ^ it^s a career that brings great value to Britain.
^Learning on-the-job with experienced teams enables our apprentices to understand the industry and their role far better than they can in just a classroom. Once the training is complete, they are already an important team member helping to deliver a better railway for everyone.^
Among the apprentices to have successfully moved on to the next level of the apprenticeship is Alex Davies from Swansea.
Alex said: ^The best thing about this apprenticeship scheme is the amount of opportunities available to me. I have covered a wide variety of areas within engineering whilst also achieving my BTEC^s, providing a great platform to build on. We have many practical lessons that involve activities such as obstacle courses and orienteering which are all geared towards improving leadership skills. The qualifications you receive are also impressive and widely recognised outside of the rail industry.^
Alex is currently specialising in signalling and is based in Swansea depot.
Notes to Editors:
About the Network Rail Advanced Apprenticeship Scheme
A three-year programme that equips you with the skills and experience to become a maintenance engineering technician. One of the first things you need to do is decide which area of engineering you want to focus on.
There are seven engineering programmes: track, signals, electrification and plant, signal design, property works, mechanical locking and telecoms. Each one gives you the chance to work in a critical area of the business, where your development will continue beyond the three years of the scheme.
Paid Learning
In your first year, you will be paid ^8,400 + ^1,150 when you successfully finish the year; the salary will rise to ^11,750 in the second; and ^14,000 in the third.
In the first year, Network Rail will also feed you, pay for your accommodation and provide the clothing and personal protective equipment that you need ^ including safety boots, cargo trousers and a fleece. There are plenty of holidays: 28 days plus bank holidays in total. Again in your first year, your leave is planned for you and Network Rail will pay for you to travel home for long weekends and Christmas, Easter and summer holidays.
Qualifications
After three years, you will have the qualifications (NVQ, BTec and ILM (Institute of Leadership and Management)) and skills to develop a long-term career with Network Rail. Many apprentices complete their first year and soon start to think about their career options ^ and many set their sights on becoming technical officers, team leaders or managers. There are even further opportunities to study a foundation degree for those who demonstrate the commitment and ability.
