Job Introduction

Understanding Engineering Matters

If finding a unique opportunity to understand the different aspects of engineering matters to you, you matter to us.

Our Engineering Apprenticeship is created to enhance learning and growth through a combination of study and on-the-job learning. At no additional cost, you will complete a BEng Hons degree in Railway Engineering along with the opportunity to apply your learning in the real world and become a fully qualified Project or Design Engineer.

Throughout the apprenticeship, you’ll be guided by Senior Engineering leaders who will help you to grow and develop. You’ll also get the opportunity to work independently as well as within a team while learning how to thrive in high pressured environments. For more information please visit below link.

Inside Network Rail - Network Rail

About the Course

Rail & Rail Systems Engineering (Apprenticeship) | London South Bank University (lsbu.ac.uk)

Start date: September 2024

Course level: Level 5

Pathways: You’ll choose to specialise in signalling and telecoms, mechanical or electrical.

Delivery: You will attend University for 1 week periods 5 to 6 times per academic year (travel/accommodation provided)

University award: FEng Railway Engineering

Main Responsibility

What you’ll be doing

Railway systems in the UK and internationally are aging with the need for the introduction of new infrastructure, technologies, and practices, to ensure that they are sustainable. Thus, providing local, national, and international socio-economic benefits for the future. The combination of these factors requires you, as 21st century railway engineers, to have a systems approach to the construction, operation, and management of the railway, as highlighted by the Williams-Shapps plan for Rail (DfT, 2021) and the Network Rail Asset Management Policy (Network Rail, 2018).

To achieve this aim, the LSBU L5 Rail & Rail Systems Senior Engineering (Apprenticeship) has been developed based on discussions with the railway industry and its supply chain. Enabling our course to be structured around you and your roles within industry, especially disciplinary interests such as:

• Track;
• Civils;
• Electrical (Power);
• Electrical (Installation);
• Traction & rolling Stock;
• Signalling and Telecoms

Throughout the course, as well as being taught key topics, you are encouraged to share your experience and knowledge so that all you can engage in peer learning, development, and discussion. Through this approach, you will broaden your learning opportunities to wider appropriate topics. Enabling you to identify necessary practices, processes, and the employment of technology, within the railway industry and its supply chain.

The opportunities it leads to

We strive to have the best in-house opportunities rewarding employees of all levels with exciting career progression. Upon completion of the apprenticeship, you can apply for the below positions within Network Rail:

Designer [Signalling and Level Crossing Ground Plan] – Support the production of designs and specifications during the development of engineering solutions.

Assistant Project Engineer - Supporting Project Engineers in the discharge of their responsibilities throughout the project lifecycle.

The Ideal Candidate

Who you are matters

We’re looking for technical minded people with an innovative and forward-thinking approach to problem solving. You are passionate about work, are driven, and enjoy working as part of a team.

At Network Rail, we invest in your future, exposing you to the different areas and aspects because you will play a key role in the future of the organisation and its contribution to the country. In return, we respect individuals who are driven, hardworking and uphold Network Rail’s values and behaviours.

The Entry Requirements (one from the below list)

• L3 Rail Engineering Apprenticeship;
• A Level BBB including Mathematics and/or Physical Sciences (120 UCAS points) 
• BTEC National Diploma DDM, including Level 3 Mathematics and Physical Sciences (128 UCAS points) 
• EAL Technical Extended Diploma in Engineering Technologies, D, including: Further Engineering Mathematics; and other options relevant to Electrical, Mechanical or Civil engineering
• Access to HE qualifications with 24 Distinctions and 21 Merits, with at least half the course in Mathematics and Physical Science subjects (122 UCAS points) 
• Equivalent level 3 qualifications worth 120 UCAS points and including Mathematics and Physical Sciences
• Applicants must hold 5 GCSEs A-C including Maths and English or equivalent (reformed GCSEs grade 4 or above).

Package Description

Role: Level 5 Rail and Rail Systems Engineering Apprenticeship. We have 9 roles across multiple areas

University award: FEng Railway Engineering

Salary: You will begin on a starting salary of £20,000, which will increase throughout the scheme as you develop

Location: You will be based in York , Reading, Swindon, Crewe & Croydon

Contract Type: Permanent. The scheme lasts 3 years + End Point Assessment

Start date: September 2024

Assessment Locations: Reading (16th April) and York (23rd April)

Network Rail Benefits 

We have lots of employee benefits, including a range of pension schemes and discounted offers.

28 days annual leave + bank holidays

Employees will be entitled to a 75% discount off leisure travel this includes off peak and super off-peak tickets. Employees will also be entitled to 75% discount on season tickets.

To find out about what benefits we offer, click here

Please note: Network Rail is unable to provide visa sponsorship for this apprenticeship scheme.  Therefore, if you require sponsorship of a work permit to have a right to work in the United Kingdom, we will not be able to accept your application and are sorry for any disappointment this may cause.  If you are in possession of a valid right to work document that does not require Network Rail sponsorship, your application will still be considered. 

About the Company

About Network Rail:

Are you ready to make a difference in people's lives? At Network Rail, we connect passengers and freight customers, ensuring safe and efficient transportation across the country. We're an organisation where people truly matter, and when you join us, you matter to us and millions of others. Click here to watch our inspiring video to learn more about us! 

We're dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that reflects the passengers we serve. To achieve this, we're committed to becoming an open, diverse, and inclusive workplace, leveraging the skills and expertise of our talented workforce. Together, we strive to create a safe and accessible railway for everyone. Discover more about the importance of Diversity and Inclusion at Network Rail by clicking here.

Investing in our people is key to enhancing the safety, reliability, and efficiency of our railway system. If you're passionate about making a meaningful impact, then this opportunity is for you!

About our people and the recruitment process - We're an inclusive employer of choice and we welcome applications from everyone! We encourage our colleagues to work flexibly, as we know traditional working patterns don't always fit. If you want to consider working flexibly, just let us know and we'll do our best to help and invest in your career with us, whilst you have a healthy work life balance.

We're also a Disability Confident Leader employer and we'll try our best to adapt the process and offer a reasonable alternative to help support people with disabilities access, apply and interview for roles.

All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks. Click here for more information

Drugs & Alcohol test: All prospective candidates offered a conditional role will be required to undergo and pass a drugs and alcohol test. Your application will be rescinded if you record a positive test. All positive drugs and alcohol test results for prospective candidates will be securely held on Sentinel database and a 5 year suspension from applying for a safety critical role, a role which requires PTS certification or a Key Safety role on Network Rail Managed Infrastructure will be enforced

Keeping people safe on the railway is at the heart of everything we do, safe behaviour is therefore a requirement of working for Network Rail. You should be able to demonstrate your personal commitment to safety and awareness in your application.

Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd