Rail Systems Engineering Apprenticeship Scheme

The scheme will commence in April 2025.

The FdEng in Rail and Rail Systems Engineering (Electrical) by LSBU teaches the underlying principles of the related theory of electrical and electronic engineering coupled with the required software tools and systems engineering approach to design and enable apprentices to tackle complex engineering projects that are commonplace in the rail engineering sector. This course is a week block release, you will be required to study at LSBU for 1 week per month during term time. The course will begin September 2025 and take 3 years to complete (4 years if you carry onto the Bachelors Degree).

More information about the apprenticeship can be found here: Rail & Rail Systems Engineering (Apprenticeship) | London South Bank University

Alongside your studies at LSBU, We will organise a series of Electrical Engineering placements with different teams including design, testing, projects, maintenance, asset management, etc which you will complete alongside your studies. The asset discipline placements this scheme will include, but not limited to, Electrification and Plant, Signalling and Telecommunications. Applicants should be open minded to all placements and be flexible to the needs of the team.

The day-by-day working schedule will be varied and you’ll self-prioritise and manage your workload from placements and the Rail & Rail Systems Engineering apprenticeship. Working collaboratively will enable you to get the most out of this scheme.

 

About the role:

This scheme is designed for hard working, driven individuals with an interest in Electrical/ Electronic Engineering who are willing to learn about the different disciplines, assets and teams within this field. You should be keen to learn about the railway and enjoy working in a team while being able to manage your time and studies to suit the needs of the scheme.

You should be based within easy reach of Blackfriars, London and willing to travel within the South London area to various depots, offices and training facilities. You must be comfortable to occasionally work unsocial hours i.e. night shifts.

 

Qualifying Requirements:

You’ll need 3 A-levels, or equivalent, including Mathematics which sum to 120 UCAS points (e.g. BBB). You will also need at least 5 GCSEs at grade 9-5 including Maths, English and Science, or equivalent. Please include details of your academic grades in your application – you will also need to be able to evidence this should you progress.

This role will require you to work in safety sensitive environments such as track side, hence you must be aged 18 or older by the start of the programme to apply. This is to make sure we follow health & safety requirements and regulations. There is no upper age limit for the programme.

You must also be willing to embrace the responsibility that safety-critical work brings, and that placements may be subject to some change as a result of operational considerations.

 

What you’ll get out of it;

Once you have completed the scheme you will have a FdEng in Rail & Rail Systems Engineering (Electrical) qualification. The placement aspect of the scheme will equip you with an understanding of the different disciplines and nuances within Rail & Rail Systems Engineering. This should enable you to decide which aspect/ teams interests you the most and apply for a permanent position in this area.

By giving you both the academic and hands-on experience, this scheme offers you a fantastic starting point in your railway career. We envisage leavers of this programme to go on to become engineers working in design, project delivery, maintenance and asset ownership.

You will be the first to enrol onto this scheme with the hope to take on more applicants in September, hence we will be open to your thoughts and recommendations while you are on the scheme. It will also mean you will have the opportunity to influence the scheme for future cohorts.

 

If you are currently a year 13 student, we understand you won’t be able to apply for the April 2025 start however we would encourage you to show your interest with the potential of being added to our talent pool for the September 2025 start.

 

Salary: circa £20,000 – £25,000 incl Location Allowance
In addition to your salary, you will be eligible for a heavily subsidised Season Ticket (75% subsidy), 75% off your Leisure Travel and 28 days Annual Leave.

Closing date: 9 February 2025 – we retain the right to close the advert early and encourage you to submit your application early.

 

Some of our roles require face to face Drugs & Alcohol testing. Further details will be shared with you as part of your offer.

 

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