“Earn while you learn” says Northern as it opens up applications for engineering apprenticeships

Budding engineers should “earn while you learn” on the railway according to the boss of the region’s biggest train operator.

As the UK gets set to mark National Apprenticeship Week next week (10-16 February), Northern has announced plans to recruit engineering apprentices at five of its TrainCare Centres across the North of England.

Successful candidates will join a three-year apprenticeship programme, earning over £19,000 a year whilst studying for a Level 3 qualification in rail engineering.

The positions are based at Northern’s depots at Newton Heath in Manchester, Allerton in Merseyside, Heaton in Tyne & Wear, Hull Botanic Gardens in East Yorkshire and Neville Hill in West Yorkshire.

The closing date for applications is Sunday 23 February. For more information and details of how to apply, visit: northernrailway.co.uk/careers.

Tricia Williams, managing director of Northern, said: “National Apprenticeship Week is a great initiative and important opportunity to showcase the career paths on offer to those who want to ‘earn while you learn’.

“The rail industry punches above its weight in this area and Northern is among the biggest contributors, with hundreds of people completing an apprenticeship to become a driver, conductor or engineer every year.”

Megan Van Bergen is in the second year of an engineering apprenticeship with Northern having previously worked in their train presentation team before moving over to work in engineering administration.

She said: “I’m really enjoying the role and I’ve learnt a lot about the rail industry. Everyone has been so friendly and helpful – it’s a very supportive environment in which to learn the ropes. Once I’ve completed my apprenticeship there are a lot of roles and opportunities that I have my eye on.”

Harry Hager is also in the second year of an engineering apprenticeship at Northern and was the first engineering apprentice to be based at the new Hull Botanic Gardens TrainCare Centre.

He says: “It’s a lot of hard work but it has been a great way to kick-start my engineering career. You have chance to meet and work with people who have years of experience and the combination of practical with studying really works for me.”

This week, Northern is taking part in a special careers event at the Locomotion railway museum in County Durham where students from local secondary schools have been invited to meet with train drivers and ask questions about working in the rail industry.

The train operator has also recently been supporting universities with a number of ‘Year in Industry’ placements for students in its commercial, finance, infrastructure, innovation, operations, safety, environment and HR teams.

Northern is a patron of the Multicultural Apprenticeship Alliance – an organisation that strives to promote social mobility, diversity, inclusion and equity in apprenticeships.

Northern is the second largest train operator in the UK, with nearly 2,500 services a day to more than 500 stations across the North of England.