Rail Engineering Operative Apprenticeship

Level 2

A Rail Engineer is responsible for the safe construction, installation, maintenance and renewal of Traction & Rolling Stock to provide a safe and reliable Railway for customers. A high level of safety critical work is involved in Rail Engineering; activities require a disciplined and responsible approach.

During and after training, a Rail Engineering Operative will be involved in traction & rolling stock on The Railway. A Rail Engineering Operative Apprentice will master the core skills and knowledge listed further below and in our brochure.

Qualitrain Engineering Academy delivers one Specialist specific option:

Traction & Rolling Stock (T&RS)

Core Knowledge

Apprentices will learn the following core knowledge:

Safe and Professional working practices including: legislation, regulation, industry procedures and safety requirements.
The general engineering techniques required to support the maintenance, renewal and construction of The Railway.
How to work effectively and contribute to engineering solutions including: awareness of the importance of 3rd party requirement and the need to understand and adhere to corporate policies on ethics, equality and diversity.
Awareness of commercial principles applicable to The Railway and the implications of these.

Core Skills

Apprentices will learn the following core skills:

Keep themselves and others safe by adhering to safe working practices. Understand and comply with statutory regulations and organisational safety requirements, including safe access to work locations.
Prepare for a high standard of technical work: Gathering and interpreting information including drawings, plans and schedules needed for rail engineering activities and prepare the work location.
Deliver a high standard of technical work: Undertake engineering activities in relation to maintenance, construction / installation and or renewal of assets. Take responsibility for their own work on completing relevant integrity and compliance checks. Reinstate the work area after engineering activity.
Identify and report problems: Identify, recognise and escalate appropriately common problems.
Use resources including the correct utilisation and storage of tools, materials and equipment, and the lifting and moving of materials, components and equipment.
Communicate effectively. Use oral, written, electronic and IT based methods and systems for the accurate communication and reporting & recording of technical and other information, using correct terms, standards, templates and certifications.

Specific Knowledge & Skills

Traction & Rolling Stock

Understanding of vehicle design, construction, maintenance and operation. Working knowledge of the traction and rolling stock systems, sub systems and components which include mechanical, electrical, process controller and fluid power equipment. Systems include traction, wheel sets, brakes, train protection, air conditioning and ventilation, customer information, doors, vehicle trim and fittings Able to find, diagnose and correct faults, identify potential faults & defects within electrical circuits and maintain and renew a range of types of traction and rolling stock. Able to use a range of fastenings including crimping and torque correctly.

Entry Requirements

There are no official entry requirements for this qualification, however individual employers are able to set the selection criteria for their Apprenticeships.