What is the work like?
As a rail engineering technician, your would make and service the mechanical and electrical systems found on train engines, passenger carriages and other rolling stock.
You could have a variety of duties, including:
* building new engines and carriages
* fitting out new carriages with upholstery, lighting, control panels and communication systems
* inspecting bodywork, roofs and under-carriages for wear and tear or damage
* repairing or replacing parts
* making new parts where necessary
* carrying out regular maintenance checks on systems, such as brakes and couplings
* taking apart and testing mechanical, electrical and pneumatic systems before reassembly
* writing reports and updating maintenance records.
For most of these tasks you would use a range of hand and power tools, which could include welding equipment, and you would follow technical drawings and instructions drawn up by senior technicians or engineers.
You would work closely with other craftspeople, such as carpenters, painters, upholsterers and sheet metal workers.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
To become a rail engineering technician, you would normally need experience of working as a mechanical fitter, electrician or craftsperson in another industry. For example, a background as a coach builder or motor vehicle technician may be helpful.
At the interview stage, you would have to pass a medical exam to test your physical fitness, eyesight, colour vision and hearing. You may also have to take an aptitude test to assess your existing skills and knowledge.
A Rail Transport Engineering apprenticeship may offer you a different route into this work. These are offered by rail engineering firms, Network Rail and train operating companies. You can also find schemes with Tube Lines on the London Underground. You would normally need four GCSEs (grades A-C), including English, maths and a science subject.
See the GoSkills website for more details about apprenticeships, jobs and training in the rail industry.
Personal Track Safety
You must hold a track safety card before you can work trackside. Your employer would put you through the Personal Track Safety (PTS) course and on completion, you would be awarded a safety card. This course is only available to people employed by rail engineering companies.
See the National Competency Control Agency website for information about the safety card and training providers.
What further training and development can I do?
As an apprentice rail engineering technician, your employer would train you in basic engineering craft skills in a workshop. You would then spend time working on maintenance tasks under the supervision of experienced fitters and technicians. You would also go to a college on a day-release basis to learn the theory.
You would be expected to work towards the NVQ in Railway Engineering at levels 1 to 3. This contains several options, depending on your exact duties, but covers fault finding, re-assembling parts, testing systems and preventative maintenance.
Where can I go for more information?
GoSkills
Concorde House
Trinity Park
Solihull
Birmingham
B37 7UQ
Tel: 0121 635 5520
http://www.goskills.org
National Competency Control Agency
Network Rail
40 Melton Street
London
NW1 2EE
Tel: 020 7557 8000
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser at learndirect Careers Advice, call 0800 100 90
As a rail engineering technician, your would make and service the mechanical and electrical systems found on train engines, passenger carriages and other rolling stock.
You could have a variety of duties, including:
* building new engines and carriages
* fitting out new carriages with upholstery, lighting, control panels and communication systems
* inspecting bodywork, roofs and under-carriages for wear and tear or damage
* repairing or replacing parts
* making new parts where necessary
* carrying out regular maintenance checks on systems, such as brakes and couplings
* taking apart and testing mechanical, electrical and pneumatic systems before reassembly
* writing reports and updating maintenance records.
For most of these tasks you would use a range of hand and power tools, which could include welding equipment, and you would follow technical drawings and instructions drawn up by senior technicians or engineers.
You would work closely with other craftspeople, such as carpenters, painters, upholsterers and sheet metal workers.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
To become a rail engineering technician, you would normally need experience of working as a mechanical fitter, electrician or craftsperson in another industry. For example, a background as a coach builder or motor vehicle technician may be helpful.
At the interview stage, you would have to pass a medical exam to test your physical fitness, eyesight, colour vision and hearing. You may also have to take an aptitude test to assess your existing skills and knowledge.
A Rail Transport Engineering apprenticeship may offer you a different route into this work. These are offered by rail engineering firms, Network Rail and train operating companies. You can also find schemes with Tube Lines on the London Underground. You would normally need four GCSEs (grades A-C), including English, maths and a science subject.
See the GoSkills website for more details about apprenticeships, jobs and training in the rail industry.
Personal Track Safety
You must hold a track safety card before you can work trackside. Your employer would put you through the Personal Track Safety (PTS) course and on completion, you would be awarded a safety card. This course is only available to people employed by rail engineering companies.
See the National Competency Control Agency website for information about the safety card and training providers.
What further training and development can I do?
As an apprentice rail engineering technician, your employer would train you in basic engineering craft skills in a workshop. You would then spend time working on maintenance tasks under the supervision of experienced fitters and technicians. You would also go to a college on a day-release basis to learn the theory.
You would be expected to work towards the NVQ in Railway Engineering at levels 1 to 3. This contains several options, depending on your exact duties, but covers fault finding, re-assembling parts, testing systems and preventative maintenance.
Where can I go for more information?
GoSkills
Concorde House
Trinity Park
Solihull
Birmingham
B37 7UQ
Tel: 0121 635 5520
http://www.goskills.org
National Competency Control Agency
Network Rail
40 Melton Street
London
NW1 2EE
Tel: 020 7557 8000
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser at learndirect Careers Advice, call 0800 100 90
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