Network Rail offers 140 apprenticeships to boost transport recruitment

Network Rail has announced it will expand its Advanced Apprenticeship scheme to recruit an additional 140 apprentices, due to begin training in March 2017.

The three-year scheme will offer 300 young people the chance to ‘ear while they learn’, and gain valuable work experience, transferable skills and recognised qualifications.

Apprentices will spend the first five months at the training centre, specialising in one of five areas: electrification and plant, overhead lines, signalling, telecoms or track.

Following this, they then move to their local depots to learn through on-the-job training on the railway’s front line, gaining knowledge and vital skills from experienced team members, complemented by additional off-railway learning.

In 2015, Network Rail received over 4,000 applications for the Advances Apprenticeships scheme.

Data has also shown that 85 per cent of those who started on the scheme on 2005 are still working for the organisation 10 years later.

Network Rail group HR director, Ian Iceton said: “Network Rail has been committed to providing opportunities for young people to develop and progress into a rewarding career for more than ten years. Britain’s railways are one of this country’s success stories and apprentices are a vital part of our 36,000-strong team working to deliver our £40 billion Railway Upgrade Plan to make our railway better and bigger.

“I urge anyone that has the determination, talent and enthusiasm to work in a role where you not only make a difference every single day but also contribute to building the railway for the future to join us by applying for the Advanced Apprenticeship scheme today.”