Rail Signalling Design Engineering Apprenticeship
Transport for London
London, SE1 8JZ
Closes in 11 days (Friday 7 March)
Posted on 18 February 2025
Contents
Summary
Our Engineers focus on the signalling and control & information system assets that form the foundation of our transport system. Our Engineers are responsible for providing engineering support to maintenance & operations as well as modernisation projects.
- Wage
- £25,294 a year
- Training course
- Railway engineering design technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Shifts to be confirmed.
Typically, you will be required to attend college 1 day a week for the first two years.
35 hours a week
- Possible start date
-
Monday 8 September
- Duration
-
2 years 6 months
- Positions available
-
8
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
As an apprentice, your 3-year development programme will be made up of a day a week at the college, 5-7 Internal Signalling training courses and 6-8 work placement rotations. Our aim is to equip you with the range of skills and experience you need for your successful career. We also understand that everyone’s career is different, so every apprentice’s journey is unique. Here’s an idea of what yours could look like:
Signalling Systems (Major Projects) You will be involved in many aspects of the delivery of a major signalling system upgrade project, including Performance Modelling, System Delivery, Implementation and Project Safety & Assurance.
Train Control Systems- You will undertake various Engineering Assurance activities, such as supporting the signalling product approval process and producing Written Notices to amend and clarify engineering standards
Where you’ll work
197 Blackfriars Road
London
SE1 8JZ
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
NEWHAM COLLEGE OF FURTHER EDUCATION
Your training course
Railway engineering design technician (level 3)
Equal to A level
Course contents
- Apply core engineering principles, including mathematical, scientific and technical know-how, to railway systems and the design process.
- Apply key principles, techniques and methods of data collection, analysis and evaluation to support the delivery of valid railway engineering design and technical solutions.
- Plan and carry out calculations, data collection, analysis, evaluation, and report the outputs through appropriate means.
- Create technical drawings, plans and technical documentation using relevant conventions and engineering terminology related to railway systems.
- Operate appropriate software packages for data gathering and analysis, such as Computer Aided Design (CAD), Building Information Modelling (BIM).
- Apply document control processes and procedures using the approved processes, maintaining quality compliance when creating or amending engineering and/or design documentation.
- Apply statutory health and safety policies, procedures and regulations in the railway engineering design environment, using risk assessment processes, procedures and documentation.
- Plan, carry out and manage own work in line with quality management and assurance polices, recognising the wider implications to client or customer needs, and within cost and resource limitations.
- Support and contribute to the production of railway engineering design solutions in accordance with relevant industry standards, regulations and procedures, with consideration for security, cultural and societal, and environmental considerations.
- Communicate using appropriate methods for the audience, and incorporate relevant and appropriate terms, standards and data.
- Apply sustainable and ethical principles to Railway Engineering Design.
- Plan, undertake and review their own professional competence, regularly updating and reviewing their CPD to improve performance.
- Apply core engineering principles, including mathematical, scientific and technical know-how, to railway systems and the design process.
- Apply key principles, techniques and methods of data collection, analysis and evaluation to support the delivery of valid railway engineering design and technical solutions.
- Plan and carry out calculations, data collection, analysis, evaluation, and report the outputs through appropriate means.
- Create technical drawings, plans and technical documentation using relevant conventions and engineering terminology related to railway systems.
- Operate appropriate software packages for data gathering and analysis, such as Computer Aided Design (CAD), Building Information Modelling (BIM).
- Apply document control processes and procedures using the approved processes, maintaining quality compliance when creating or amending engineering and/or design documentation.
- Apply statutory health and safety policies, procedures and regulations in the railway engineering design environment, using risk assessment processes, procedures and documentation.
- Plan, carry out and manage own work in line with quality management and assurance polices, recognising the wider implications to client or customer needs, and within cost and resource limitations.
- Support and contribute to the production of railway engineering design solutions in accordance with relevant industry standards, regulations and procedures, with consideration for security, cultural and societal, and environmental considerations.
- Communicate using appropriate methods for the audience, and incorporate relevant and appropriate terms, standards and data.
- Apply sustainable and ethical principles to Railway Engineering Design.
- Plan, undertake and review their own professional competence, regularly updating and reviewing their CPD to improve performance.
Your training plan
Whilst on the scheme, we’ll support your technical development through a wide range of on-the-job practical experiences and placements. We’ll also support your professional development through a combination of classroom-led training courses, online training courses, mentoring opportunities and structured networking opportunities.
More training information
Placements may vary in duration but are typically between 3 and 6 months in length. This will depend on the details of the work being undertaken during the placement, for example, one apprentice may have a 6-month placement with one Major Projects team, but another apprentice may have 2 x 3-month placements with two different Major Projects teams. This may become necessary to ensure that you continue to gain sufficient breadth and depth of experience, particularly as each project progresses through its various stages.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English or English Language (grade A*-C or Grade D and above)
- Maths (grade A*-C or Grade D and above)
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
- Team working
- Adaptable
- Innovative
Other requirements
You must be a minimum of 18 years of age before the start date to be eligible for this scheme. Due to the health and safety requirements of this role we are unable to employ apprentices under 18 on this scheme
About this company
At TfL, our work goes beyond transport. We keep London moving – day in, day out. We’re about building stronger connections, and helping people do more of what they love. From sustainable futures to post-pandemic economic recovery, we’re constantly breaking new ground, and taking innovation to new heights. For our people, this is more than just a job. Our apprentices are pioneers, frontrunners, and mentors. And, with a culture built on support and flexibility that puts wellbeing first.
Company benefits
Free travel on the TfL network for you and a nominee who lives in the same household Minimum 29 days annual leave (pro rata dependent on role) plus public and bank holidays Retail, health, leisure and travel offers & many more
Disability Confident
A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.
You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.
After this apprenticeship
Upon successful completion of this scheme, you could roll-off into one of the many domains within Road and Rail Control System such as signalling design team, designing modifications to the existing signalling arrangements and contributing to the upkeep of existing signalling systems or to the introduction of new signalling system which could lead to further career development opportunities such as signalling design engineer or a role in signalling testing & commissioning.
You may have a chance to become part of Maintenance and Operations team providing engineering support or independent assurance to Operations and maintenance.
Alternatively, as a Control & Information Engineer you could be involved in coding, building and installing our own in-house train control system. The mTRAC system is currently installed on the Piccadilly line and is being rolled out onto the Bakerloo. The activities undertaken as a Railway Signalling Engineering Design Apprentice will also stand you in good stead if you wish to become licensed with the Institute of Railway Signalling Engineers (IRSE)
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
Transport for London
The recruitment team
earlycareerscampaigns@tfl.gov.uk
0203 005 1680
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000304649.
Apply now
Closes in 11 days (Friday 7 March)
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After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.
Company’s application instructions
You will receive support and information around each assessment stage as you progress through your application. Please pay close attention to emails and deadlines provided noting you have 1 week to complete assessments and we cannot re-issue these tests. Assessment centres will take place from April - June, please note that many roles only have 1 assessment day and we are unable to guarantee additional dates. We are conducting assessment centres in person and virtually (role dependent).