Interviews

Apprentice talk: Gen Y Rail finalist discusses his progress at network rail

A national finalist at RTM’s Gen Y Rail initiative last summer talks to David Stevenson about the progress he is making on Network Rail’s advanced apprenticeship programme.

When RTM held its first Gen Y Rail series in 2014, we were introduced at the north west heat to then 19-year-old Stephen Kelly, who had just been accepted onto Network Rail’s electrification and plant (E&P) apprenticeship programme. 

Stephen was also a member of the ‘Stockportables’ team from Stockport College, who made it through to the national Gen Y Rail Final in the over-16s category. 

Fast forward 12 months and RTM caught up with Stephen, who has spent the first year of his three-year E&P apprenticeship living in Gosport at HMS Collingwood and studying at HMS Sultan, home to Europe’s largest engineering training facility.

“I started back in September 2014. It has been fantastic and has gone a lot quicker than I thought it would,” Stephen told us. “We’ve only got about six or seven weeks left before I head back to Stockport. It has been good, a lot better than what I’ve done previously.” 

During his first year Stephen, 20, has been working towards his NVQ2 in Performing Engineering Operations and BTEC National Award in Engineering, through a mix of academic work as well as hands-on practical experience. 

“Probably the most interesting thing I’ve done has been electrical craft. Last year, when I was at college, we didn’t do much practical – so to be doing the practical hands-on work is really enjoyable. 

“I learn by actually doing rather than just reading about a topic and doing the theory side. When you’re actually working hands-on you learn a lot quicker. This is something that I would definitely recommend to others.”

Perseverance 

However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing for Stephen to make it onto the apprenticeship scheme. He was 16 when he first applied for the programme, but was studying law, psychology and biology – subjects he wasn’t enjoying. At the time he didn’t gain a place on the apprenticeship scheme, so decided to change his subjects and study for a BTEC in engineering at Stockport College. This made all the difference. 

When RTM met Stephen last year, he said that if he had been given the opportunity to attend an event like Gen Y Rail before he first went to college, he would have made his decision to study engineering earlier. 

“I applied three years in a row and ended up getting on the third time,” said Stephen. “But I would also recommend doing some type of engineering course before applying, like a couple of years at college. Doing my BTEC in engineering definitely helped me get the job. 

“But if people apply once and don’t get on it, don’t get down – just keep applying.” 

He added that his lecturers at college were integral to his final success by giving him extra encouragement and motivation. 

For the second and the third year of his apprenticeship Stephen will come back to his depot in the north west where he will share his time learning various disciplines. “In the second year I’ll be dipping in and out of disciplines for three months at a time. I think I’ll be doing the E&P first, then track, overhead lines and signals,” he told us. “That gives us the insight. Then I’ll come back to Gosport after about three months for two-week sessions where I’ll do some more theory and practical [work] to build on my experience.” 

The focus on teamwork and relationship-building at Network Rail has impressed Stephen – and that was a quality he demonstrated during last year’s Gen Y Rail events. 

He has also enjoyed doing the Institute of Leadership Management (ILM) Level 2 course during his first 12 months in Gosport. He said the first week was a bit strange living away from home, but it has taught him valuable life lessons. 

“I love the north west, but it has been nice living away and growing up,” he explained. “I hope that once I’ve completed the apprenticeship I can get a technician job. 

“Once people have graduated, you can then do further courses that help you get the team leader jobs. But now I know I don’t just want to stay in one place, I’d like to move around and keep doing something different.” 

Asked if he’d like to progress his career with Network Rail, as staff retention in the sector has been a problem of the past and present, he said: “Of course. Network Rail is a massive company and they keep telling us there is room for progression. The discipline I’m in allows me to move into the planning and distribution side later on. I feel lucky, as competition to get on the apprenticeship is tough – but you just have to keep applying.”

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