Rail Engineering Technician Apprenticeship

Level 3

Rail Engineering Technicians provide technical support to Rail Engineers. Apprentices will undertake the core learning and also specialise in Traction & Rolling Stock.

Rail Engineering are responsible for the safe construction, installation, maintenance and renewal of The Railway to provide a safe and reliable railway for customers. A high level of safety critical work is involved in Rail Engineering, therefore activities require a disciplined and responsible approach.

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 scientific, technical, engineering, mathematical and design principles that are required to support the maintenance, renewal and construction of The Railway.
How to work effectively and contribute to engineering solutions and innovation including understanding and applying problem solving techniques and diagnostics, project planning and management, time management and quality management and assurance systems.
The importance of 3rd party requirements and client confidentiality and the need to understand and adhere to corporate policies on ethics, equality and diversity.
How the railway works commercially including contractual principles and implications.

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.
Plan a high standard of technical work: Gathering and interpreting information including drawings, plans, schedules needed for the development of rail engineering activity planning; Detailed inspection and performance & condition analysis of assets; Plan work to be undertaken including the appropriate resources.
Deliver a high standard of technical work: Undertake engineering activities in relation to maintenance, construction / installation and or renewal of assets. Complete integrity & compliance checks on own work, instigate testing and identify where independent testing is required. Transfer responsibility of assets once work has been completed. Supervise their own work and that of others.
Solve problems: Identify problems and apply a structured approach and appropriate methods to problem solving and diagnosis.
Manage 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, 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.