Apprentices from Network Rail inspire young people in NAW2017

Apprentices from Network Rail’s Thameslink Programme inspire others to consider apprenticeship on railway.

In celebration of National Apprenticeship Week 2017, a team of apprentices, work experience students and engineers from Network Rail’s Thameslink Programme are visiting schools local to London Bridge station, to inspire young people to consider an apprenticeship on the railway.

Since 2012, the Thameslink Programme has benefited from 89 apprentices working across Network Rail, and delivery partners Costain, Balfour Beatty Rail and Siemens Rail Automation.

Many of the apprentices have gained experience on the London Bridge redevelopment project, increasing their skills on track and off, working across both the front-line railway and commercial side of the business.

The retention rate for Network Rail’s apprenticeship scheme is far higher than the national average for engineering, with 75% of those that complete the scheme choosing to go into employment with Network Rail, compared to the national average of 55%.

This week, the team visited Octavia house and Walworth Academy, presentations and workshops were held by apprentices who shared their journeys and experiences with hundreds of students in hope to inspire them to consider an apprenticeship on the railway.

Annamarie Compton, Network Rail consents manager, London Bridge station, said: “The London Bridge station redevelopment project is proud to be involved in the 2017 National Apprenticeship Week and we hope to build on the successes of our well-received 2016 programme. What makes our programme work so well is the continued support of our own apprentices, many of whom have been employed from the local area, who are taking the time to participate in a number of school visits and site activities to share their journeys and to display the skills they have learned. The students respond really well to the apprentices, who do a great job of promoting the range of exciting opportunities an apprenticeship with Network Rail can bring.”

Amy Nott, training skills co-ordinator, Costain, said: “We have a fantastic team of apprentices who are always ready to help inspire the next generation. The students they meet tend to respond very well and their interaction offers a positive experience and insight into apprenticeships on the railway. This year we’ve another fantastic week long programme of events and we hope to reach more students than ever before”.

Isaac Jones, commercial apprentice, Network Rail, said: “The best thing about being an apprentice is that I am studying and gaining experience, all while earning a salary. My Network Rail apprenticeship has a lot of variety; I get to work across the business and learn on site. I would definitely recommend an apprenticeship at Network Rail and on the railway to other young people who are considering their options.”

The Thameslink Programme is part of Network Rail’s Railway Upgrade Plan, to transform north-south travel through London by modernising landmark stations, introducing new, longer trains and increasing journey options for the millions of passengers that use one of the busiest stretches of railway each year.

Network Rail apprentices are guaranteed a job upon completion of the three-year course and more than four in five (83%) of those who started in the scheme a decade ago are still working for the organisation today.

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