Rail Engineering Technician

The rail engineering technician was approved for delivery on 19/04/2016. This Advanced apprenticeship standard awards you with a level 3, qualification when completed. The usual duration of this apprenticeship is 36 months, but this does not include the End-Point Assessment Period.

The Rail Engineering Technician provides technical support to the engineers working on or planning for the rail network. The apprentice could be working with and learning about any of the seven distinct parts of the rail network. These seven areas are track, electrification, overhead lines, signalling, telecoms, traction & rolling stock, and rail systems. In turn, the knowledge and skills learnt by the apprentice will differ depending on which part of the rail system they are working.

The tasks adjudicated to a Rail Engineering Technician depend on whether the rail engineers are planning or carrying out specifications. If the former, the apprentice would be working in a technical office, assisting the engineer in designing and planning the next job, including considering the health and safety procedures and the commercial implications. When on-site, the Rail Engineering Technician would use specialist equipment to find and diagnose faults, partake in the testing, maintenance and construction of the railway system, and check that the teams have carried out previous tasks to the specifications.

For an apprentice to excel in this role, they must be professional, risk-aware, able to work efficiently in a team and receptive to feedback from superiors.

• Track Technician
• Overhead Line Technician
• Electrification Technician
• Traction & Rolling Stock Technician
• Signalling Technician
• Telecoms Technician
• Rail Systems Technician

If you would like to find out more about the rail engineering technician apprenticeship standard, skills, learnt, assessment methods and duties of the role, visit the Institute for Apprenticeships.