More than 200 apprentices have started work for real at railway depots across Britain after completing their first year at Europe's largest engineering training facility at HMS Sultan in Hampshire.

The apprentices specialise in track, signalling and telecoms, electrification and plant, property works and mechanical locking. They will work under supervision in teams gaining vital experience over the next two years as they train to become maintenance technicians. They will return to HMS Sultan for further courses and training throughout this time.


Steve Featherstone, Director of maintenance at Network Rail said: "Britain relies on rail so it is vital to invest in our people and our future with apprenticeships. We're training the next generation of specialists with the latest technology to deliver this success in a modern, efficient way – it’s a career that brings great value to Britain.

"Learning on-the-job with experienced teams enables our apprentices to understand the industry and their role far better than they can in just a classroom. Once the training is complete, they are already an important team member helping to deliver a better railway for everyone."

Andy Dobson, a 21-year-old Network Rail track apprentice based in Liverpool commented on the scheme: "For me, the best thing about the apprenticeship is the pride you feel from knowing you are contributing to the development and modernisation of the railway. Not only does the scheme offer you an opportunity to better yourself but it also allows you to meet new people and experience new things you wouldn’t otherwise get to the chance to do."

(CD/BMcC)