Engineering Apprenticeships

Further year/s

The rail industry is going through a major transformation and modernising all the time, so by the end of year two apprentices spend more time putting their knowledge into practice though involvement in various projects with the qualified engineering teams. The in-house Apprenticeship Manager, and on-site Engineering Team, support apprentices and ensure they are fully prepared for final assessments.

What is required?

• 5 GCSEs with gained or predicted grades A to C or 9 to 4, including Maths, English and a Science
• A keen interest in Mechanical and Electrical Engineering
• Passion for a career in Engineering and willingness to carry on learning
• Ideally to live within an hour’s commute of the base Depot – as Northern’s engineering team work varying shift patterns, which can involve working days, nights and weekends.

What do Rail Engineering Apprentices earn?

A competitive starting salary of £15,817 raising to £18,963 during the apprenticeship and a range of benefits.

Apprenticeship Programme

In September 2024, the new 1st Year Engineering Apprentices will share their first 2 years between Myerscough College and their TCC (6 weeks at the college and then 6 weeks at their TCC for the 2 years). They will still be completing their Level 2 Performing Engineering Operations (PEO) qualification and 5 of the 7 units for their Level 3 Diploma in Rail Engineering Technician Knowledge qualification.

In their 3rd and 4th year, the apprentices will be at their TCC full time.

3rd year will still be the same as your advert. They will work towards completing their Level 3 Diploma in Rail Engineering Technician Competence qualification and their Apprenticeship certificate. 

4th year there will be digital, electronic and diagnostic training so the apprentices will be fully trained to work on our new CAF fleet. This training is on top of their Level 3 evidence.

Most of year one is spent learning from an approved training partner, to complete a Level 2 qualification in Performing Engineering Operations along with some Level 3 learning about the railway and rail engineering. Apprentices work alongside another training provider and an assigned depot to build experience, and are provided with accommodation if required.

In year two training continues at the depot, building knowledge and working towards the Level 3 qualification. Time is spent with the training provider and picking up genuine hands-on expertise.

The final year puts learned theory into practice by carrying out work on a range of systems both at the training provider and at the depot. Throughout the program, support is given to prepare for the final assessment and qualification as a rail-compliant rolling stock technician.

What is required?

• 4 GCSEs at gained/predicted grades A to C or 9-5 including Maths, English & Science
• A keen interest in Engineering and the Railway
• A desire to progress and succeed
• Living within an hour’s commute of the chosen depot

What will Rail Engineering Apprentices earn?

Northern apprentices receive a competitive salary and excellent range of benefits. 

What happens at the end?

Qualified Engineering Apprentices choose from a wide range of career paths at Northern, including joining Production Teams as a Maintenance Engineer, where they can progress to Team Leader or Technical Engineer roles. Additional experience can be gained in various environments, from production to safety, before choosing a speciality.

How to apply

Vacancies are opened annually and are usually in line with National Apprenticeship Week.

Our next vacancies will be open from the 3rd to the 9th of February 2025, for positions starting in September 2025.