Rail Engineering Apprentice

We’re more than just a train operator. We’re the heartbeat of the North connecting communities, creating opportunities, and driving sustainable growth. With 2,500 trains running daily, we’re working to improve rail travel, enhance the customer experience, and reduce our environmental impact.

Rail has been shaping lives since 1825, and as we move towards the era of Great British Rail, there’s never been a more important time to be part of it. Your journey could start here.

• Starting as a Rail Engineering Technician Apprentice, you will have the opportunity to follow a range of different career paths.
• Once qualified, you can apply to work within Northern, perhaps within the production teams employed as a Maintenance Engineer with potential to then move on to be a Team Leader or Technical Engineer. Alternatively, you could move around—from production to safety for example.

Over three years, you’ll combine college learning with real‑world experience, supported by our Engineering Apprenticeship Manager, our expert trainers and engineers.

• Learning how to maintain, inspect, and repair trains safely and efficiently.
• Gaining hands‑on experience with traction and rolling stock systems.
• Working alongside experienced engineers at your home Train Care Centre.
• Building your technical knowledge in mechanical and electrical engineering.
• Developing the skills and evidence needed to complete your End Point Assessment.
• Following safety rules and procedures that keep you and others safe.
• You’ll study towards a Level 3 qualification in Rail Engineering Technician, delivered in partnership with Myerscough College in Preston and the National Training Academy for Rail (NTAR) in Northampton.
• Year 1, you’ll spend the school term living and studying at Myerscough College, working towards your Level 2 qualification. Accommodation is provided and paid for by Northern. When you’re not in college, you’ll be based at your Train Care Centre, following a structured learning plan with the Engineering Trainers and Engineering Apprenticeship Manager.
• Years 2 & 3, you’ll be fully embedded in your Train Care Centre team, building hands‑on experience and completing your portfolio ready for your End Point Assessment.

Year 1 – Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm. Year 2 & 3 – Monday to Sunday, various shift patterns of early, late and weekends.