Apprenticeships
Earn while you learn W
Mike Brown MVO, managing director of London Underground says apprentices are playing a key role in modernising the oldest tube network in the world
e are delivering a huge programme of investment to improve the London Underground ensuring
we can keep pace with London’s growing population. We need highly skilled people to achieve this. Apprenticeships are a fantastic way for us to recruit, train and retain highly motivated staff, while ensuring they get the skills and training they need for what we hope will be long and fulfilling careers in transport and engineering. We are committed to equipping the next generation with the skills they will need to provide London with a world class Tube network. LU’s engineering apprentices are playing a key role in this by supporting the modernisation of the oldest tube network in the world, which is a challenge in itself. On the apprentice schemes people have an opportunity to use both new and old technology to find unique engineering solutions. Our more experienced staff are also on hand to support and provide the apprentices with their expertise to make sure that the Underground runs smoothly even as we rebuild it.
Since April 2009, we have created more than 4,000 apprenticeship roles in support of the Mayor of London’s campaign to create 250,000 of these roles by 2016.
Andrew Roxan – a fourth year track engineering apprentice
‘I’m currently in the fourth year of my London Underground Track Engineering Apprenticeship. I chose the role because it offered practical work experience. I was planning to go to university, but decided to defer and apply for an apprenticeship instead. On the apprenticeship scheme, I’ve had the opportunity to work on all the Tube lines and I’ve also had the opportunity to spend eight months working at Crossrail which was fantastic. ‘The apprenticeship for me has been great because I’ve got to work on aspects such as heavy machinery including the tamping machine which I helped programme before it was used to correct the track geometry as part of engineering works. The apprenticeship also provides me with a variety of work and shifts patterns - I could be working with the Projects team for a placement on day shifts and then switch to working with
the Maintenance team on night shifts. My day-to-day role varies which is fantastic for me. I’m on site for 70 per cent of the time and in the office for the rest of the time. My work as a track engineer means that I have to make sure that all the work is surveyed and done properly and meets the London Underground standards. ‘It is an extremely exciting time in transport with the biggest modernisation programme being undertaken on the Underground including Crossrail and the Northern line extension. Since being on the scheme I’ve learnt a great deal and have also achieved a BTEC level 2 and 3 in engineering. I am also currently studying for a Civil Engineering & Environmental degree. I’m currently torn between a career as a track technician or a civil engineer, but I plan to stay with London Underground.’
Daryl Wheaton – a second year track renewal apprentice ‘I’ve been on the London Underground Track Engineering scheme now for 18 months and it’s the best decision that
I’ve made. The apprenticeship route for me was an alternative to university as I wanted to get some practical work experience. It has allowed me to get a broader sense of engineering and I’ve had some fantastic experiences so far. As part of my placement with the Project Planning Team, I worked on the Hainault Blockade on the Central line when the section was closed for 11 day to renew the tracks to give customers a smoother journey. My apprenticeship has also enabled me to gain an NVQ level 2. ‘I chose the track engineering apprenticeship because it put more emphasis on practical on-site work which really appealed to me. For me, I think this apprenticeship is important because not only does it involve practical on-site learning, but I also worked in an office to understand programmes such as CAD and MX to support the work I was doing on the tracks. In addition to this, having the chance to witness first-hand how experienced staff go about their jobs really put things into perspective and shows me what I could potentially be doing. The apprenticeship has helped me to realise that an engineer’s job doesn’t just consist of sitting at a computer but involves a quite a bit of work on site. ‘In the future, I hope to gain a variety of skills, in the office and on-
February 2014 Page 103
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