Latest Rail News

24.08.12

Apprentices to experience track maintenance work

Young welsh trainees are joining the Network Rail apprenticeship programme today, the company announced, ahead of gaining maintenance experience on track. 

17 new apprentices will attend a welcome day at Newport Maintenance Depot, Ebbw Junction, where they will meet route managing director Mark Langman and his team. 

The new recruits form part of the 200 apprentice scheme, who will be training at HMS Sultan for the next twelve months. 

All apprentices will be taking part on the winter’s maintenance work programme at Ffestiniog Railway and the Welsh Highland Railway to gain first-hand experience of repairs and track maintenance.

Langman said: “I am delighted to be able to offer 17 young local people the opportunity to join the rail industry in what is an extremely exciting time for the railways here in Wales. 

“We are very keen to offer employment opportunities to local people within our route and are committed to an ongoing investment in young talent as the railways across Wales grow. 

“Over the next 10 years the Wales route will see huge investment and significant change including the electrification to Cardiff, Swansea and the Valley lines. The recruitment of these apprentices will play a big part in making this happen and planning for maintaining the future modernised railway.”

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Comments

Peter St John Roberts   26/08/2012 at 22:51

I think this is a fantastic initiative and it is good to see "Grass Roots' investment in the UK transport system, lets see a whole lot more!

Pedr   12/08/2015 at 22:50

The Ffestiniog Railway is the oldest railway company in the world still in business and has for for sixty years trained both permanent and volunteer staff in the art of the PW. The Network Rail apprentices were indeed welcome and seemed to enjoy dirtying their new orange suits.

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