Rail engineering technician
Level 3 · AdvancedEngineering and manufacturing 3 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
A Rail Engineering Technician maintains, inspects, and repairs railway infrastructure or rolling stock within a specialist discipline such as track, signalling, electrification, or traction and rolling stock. Apprentices develop solid technical knowledge alongside practical skills to work safely and effectively on the network. This level 3 qualification leads to advanced technician roles and provides a solid foundation for further study.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Technical principles in a specialist rail discipline (track, signalling, electrification, or rolling stock)
Safe systems of work on or near live railway lines
Inspection and testing procedures for rail equipment
Fault-finding and routine maintenance techniques
Using technical drawings, manuals, and engineering documentation
Quality standards and record-keeping requirements in rail
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Inspect railway assets and record condition data accurately
Carry out planned maintenance tasks on rail systems or vehicles
Diagnose and fix faults under supervision
Follow safe systems of work and comply with Railway Group Standards
Use specialist tools and test equipment correctly
Complete maintenance logs and handover documentation
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 3 (Advanced) - roughly A-level level. Employers usually look for some GCSEs (often English & maths around grade 4/C) or a Level 2 apprenticeship first. English & maths can sometimes be finished during training.
What’s next: Can lead to a Level 4/5 (Higher) apprenticeship, or straight into the role.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
Hear from employers
What it’s really like
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