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Emma Taylor Introductory Blog

My name is Emma Taylor and I’m training to become a maintenance engineering technician with Network Rail’s Advanced Apprenticeship Scheme based in Gosport, Hampshire.

For five months now, I have called HMS Collingwood and HMS Sultan home and so far I’m really enjoying it. I have made lots of new friends - there are over 230 apprentices this year - and have learnt some really interesting subjects.

I’ve learnt lots already about electronics, technical drawing, maintaining mechanical devices, fault finding, as well as more ‘academic’ subjects such as maths and other sciences. Whilst studying practical subjects, such as maintaining mechanical devices, we use fully equipped workshops so that we can get hands on experience, which is great.

Living at HMS Collingwood is a brilliant experience, especially if you have never lived away from home before. It gives you the opportunity to stand on your own two feet and get to know the basic life skills you will need in the future. I share my room with another girl called Lettie and I really enjoy this. We both have a great time here at Collingwood, especially when we go into Fareham town center which is only a half hour walk to do some shopping. There are also loads of sporting facilities available free of charge, and plenty of activities to take part in such as bowling, film nights, themed dinners and charity work.  We are also encouraged to organise our own activities, and as such I am planning to take 30 of the bravest apprentices parachuting this spring.

Manager’s notes

It’s great to see Emma and all the apprentices getting into the social side of things, which is as important as anything in the first few months. We really try to build an atmosphere of one big family here at Gosport, helping those that are living away for the first time feel at home and enjoy the experience. Teamwork and learning from each other are all values that are important to everyone at Network Rail. Having these from the very beginning will put our apprentices on track for a rewarding career. – Bill Alexander (National Apprentice Manager)