Rail Industry Project Management Higher Apprenticeship

Summary

Ready to launch your career in the Rail Industry? Join the PlanBEE Rail Higher Apprenticeship, created with Network Rail and its supply chain partners. Gain hands-on experience in project management, learn from experts, and contribute to exciting and impactful UK rail projects through this unique, collaborative programme.

Wage: £23,500 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Training course: Associate project manager (level 4)
Hours: Monday to Friday, exclusive of 1-hour unpaid break for lunch. Due to the nature of this apprenticeship the actual hours you are required to work at each Host may vary, and you will be advised of your core hours at each change of Host.
37 hours a week
Possible start date: Monday 1 September
Duration: 2 years
Positions available: 15

Work

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work

The programme structure includes four 6-month placements across different sponsor companies, combining work-based learning (four days a week on projects) with academic study (one day a week of classroom learning, case studies and site visits). You will gain diverse experience across all project stages, from design and development to delivery and completion.

Your day-to-day responsibilities may include

Collaborating with stakeholders to align project goals
Writing project management or engineering plans
Visiting sites to monitor progress and safety
Managing budgets, schedules and risks, to support successful project delivery

Where you’ll work

George Stephenson House

Toft Green

York

YO1 6JT

Training

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

College or training organisation

GATESHEAD COLLEGE

Your training course

Associate project manager (level 4)

Equal to higher national certificate (HNC)

Course contents

Use project monitoring and reporting techniques to track, interpret and report on performance.
Manage and engage with stakeholders.
Influence and negotiate with others to create a positive outcome for the project.
Resolve conflict as and when required with stakeholders within limits of responsibility.
Adapt communications to different stakeholders.
Communicate and support the project vision, to ensure buy in to the project objectives.
Collate and analyse information and provide input to support negotiations relating to project objectives.
Monitor and analyse project budgets.
Review and provide feedback on a project business case to ensure the project remains valid.
Apply change control processes to support the management of project scope.
Evaluate an integrated project management plan to provide recommendations on areas for improvement.
Prepare, monitor, and schedule activities that contribute to the delivery of the overall project schedule and objectives.
Evaluate and make recommendations on the risk management plan to threats to delivery and recommend solutions.
Identify and monitor project risks and issues; and plan and implement responses to them.
Deliver a Quality Management Plan which contributes to quality control processes.
Use an organisation’s continual improvement process including lessons learned to improve performance.
Support the preparation or maintenance of a resource management plan for project activities.
Work with stakeholders to deliver the project.
Use digital tools and software to meet project objectives for example research, collaboration, presentations, and resolution of problems.
Provide underpinning data to support the written submission through the governance process.
Work within the approved project budget.
Ensure that integrated schedules support critical path analysis, interface management, resource forecasting and risk management.
Apply relevant legislation, regulations, codes of practice, and ethical guidance where appropriate to their work.
Use data to inform decisions on actions to take to mitigate risks on project.
Use configuration management and change control to schedule and maintain projects.
Manages resources through the project lifecycle.
Use project monitoring and reporting techniques to track, interpret and report on performance.
Manage and engage with stakeholders.
Influence and negotiate with others to create a positive outcome for the project.
Resolve conflict as and when required with stakeholders within limits of responsibility.
Adapt communications to different stakeholders.
Communicate and support the project vision, to ensure buy in to the project objectives.
Collate and analyse information and provide input to support negotiations relating to project objectives.
Monitor and analyse project budgets.
Review and provide feedback on a project business case to ensure the project remains valid.
Apply change control processes to support the management of project scope.
Evaluate an integrated project management plan to provide recommendations on areas for improvement.
Prepare, monitor, and schedule activities that contribute to the delivery of the overall project schedule and objectives.
Evaluate and make recommendations on the risk management plan to threats to delivery and recommend solutions.
Identify and monitor project risks and issues; and plan and implement responses to them.
Deliver a Quality Management Plan which contributes to quality control processes.
Use an organisation’s continual improvement process including lessons learned to improve performance.
Support the preparation or maintenance of a resource management plan for project activities.
Work with stakeholders to deliver the project.
Use digital tools and software to meet project objectives for example research, collaboration, presentations, and resolution of problems.
Provide underpinning data to support the written submission through the governance process.
Work within the approved project budget.
Ensure that integrated schedules support critical path analysis, interface management, resource forecasting and risk management.
Apply relevant legislation, regulations, codes of practice, and ethical guidance where appropriate to their work.
Use data to inform decisions on actions to take to mitigate risks on project.
Use configuration management and change control to schedule and maintain projects.
Manages resources through the project lifecycle.

Your training plan

You will complete a Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship programme in Associate Project Management, underpinned by day release study providing a pathway to professional qualifications or university
You will spend one day a week studying and developing your knowledge of the rail industry and project management and will be taught about different stages of the project lifecycle including design, development, delivery and close-out, through a combination of lectures, tutorials, field work and site visits

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE or equivalent in:

English (grade A*-C/4-9)
Maths (grade A*-C/4-9)
Science (grade A*-C/4-9)

A Level or equivalent in:

In 3 subjects (grade A-C)

BTEC or equivalent in:

Level 3 in any subject (grade Merit/Distinction)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
IT skills
Problem solving skills
Presentation skills
Administrative skills
Number skills
Logical
Team working
Initiative
Methodical
Interest in rail industry
Driven
Motivated
Confident
Logical mindset
Proactive
Eager to contribute

Other requirements

The application process includes: 1. Submitting an online application. 2. You’ll be invited to complete a written online assessment early April 2025 for shortlisted candidates 3. Our assessment centre is the last stage in the process and will incorporate an interview that will take place at the end of May 2025 4. If accepted, you will need to pass a mandatory drug and alcohol test (during the induction and at any time with regular spot checks) and undertake safety critical training to be able to work on, or near, a railway.

About this company

PlanBEE Rail is a new and unique higher apprenticeship programme in Project Management where you’ll earn and learn with some of the rail industry’s leading employers. Developed by Network Rail and a consortium of companies and Gateshead College, the programme prepares you for a career in rail project management, with a strong emphasis on digital skills and multidisciplinary team working

Company benefits

Pension plan 25 days annual leave

After this apprenticeship

Upon successful completion of the programme, you will receive a Level 4 apprenticeship qualification with the opportunity to interview with programme partners for a permanent job at the end of the apprenticeship. You will then be able to progress to further professional qualifications and/or continue your studies at university.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

GATESHEAD COLLEGE

Sarah Gardner

apprenticeships@gateshead.ac.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000300687.

Apply now

Closes in 28 days (Sunday 23 March)

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After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.

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