Apprenticeship profiles

Tyson reveals the best thing about the scheme:

There’s such a wide range of opportunities to learn at Network Rail – not only within the training programme, but also outside of it. For example, I’m a track apprentice, but at the moment I’m learning a lot about railway design and renewals, and I’m looking forward to a placement within this field in the near future.

The Network Rail Advanced Apprenticeship is also a great social learning experience. During the first year I was living with more than 200 others at HMS Collingwood, which was a great opportunity to make new friends – many of whom I’m still in touch with. I also got to take part in activities that I wouldn’t normally have had the chance to do, like running obstacle courses, scuba diving and all the social events that make the year so fantastic.

The leadership and management course that I’ve been undertaking since the start of the apprenticeship gives a different dimension to the normal engineering learning we undertake, and has meant that my presentation and managerial skills have improved considerably.

During my time at Sandwell and Dudley depot I’ve faced a steep learning curve. At first, people used a lot of terms and acronyms that I didn’t understand. But I started to ask questions and I’ve learnt a lot and been able to put my learning into practice. Going back to Gosport for additional courses always supplements the experiences I’ve had at the depot and makes sure that all my learning objectives are on-track, and that I’m being looked after and guided correctly in my home depot. All of this adds to the feeling that – as an apprentice – I’m a valuable asset to the company, and people want me to progress and reach my aspirations, whatever they may be.

To me, the greatest impact the Network Rail apprenticeship has had on me is that it has invigorated my desire for learning. During my first year I found my passion kick-started me into applying for an Open University degree, which I’ve not been studying for one and a half years, and I’m well on my way to achieving a Bachelor of Engineering Degree. The great thing about undertaking my degree and apprenticeship studies is that the people at Sandwell and Dudley depot are very supportive of my learning and if ever I need any assistance with anything, they’re more than willing to lend a hand.

Joining the Network Rail apprenticeship has been, career wise, the best thing I’ve done: not only has it allowed me to undertake theoretical learning, it also involves a great deal of vocational training, and the scope of engineering principles on the railway is so great that I’ll be kept busy (and interested) for many years to come.

I’d like to become a chartered engineer and hopefully go as far within the company as I possibly can. After all, it’s a great company to work for.