Joe B.

I took a risk to leave 9 to 5, couldn't have worked out better!

My career bath has been extremely varied, especially as I am still at the beginning! After school i studied engineering at college, but chose not to follow this through and instead went to work in banking. I moved into insurance brokering however I kept asking myself "what difference am i actually making?". When the pandemic hit I took a long hard look at where I was and where I wanted to be. At the time Network Rail were hiring under the Apprenticeship and I took a punt. The prospect of becoming an apprentice in my mid 20's was daunting, but the best things come to those who take an opportunity!

Signal Technician Apprentice

The whole railway depends on the signalling network, without the signals providing instructions to the trains there would be no railway. Signal Technicians either work on fault finding where teams go out and fix urgent issues to get the trains back running. Otherwise it is in the delivery of projects, installing new signalling equipment and adding to the network. It is all about team work, both within signalling as well as with other teams in Network Rail.

The variety and job satisfaction are unbeatable

Getting to look back and see what you have done is extremely satisfying. Knowing that the work you and the team have undertaken has made a difference is great. This can be seeing trains being able to run again or open a new/upgraded section of track. Also, the variety of the job means that no two days are the same, whether that be the location, type of work or the people you are working with.

Don't let anything stop you from doing what you want

Becoming an Apprentice after years working full time was a difficult decision and not one I took lightly. But it is important to remember that after only 3 years, I will be a qualified Signal Technician playing a key role in the railways, with qualifications and a trade under my belt.