OREANDA-NEWS. Due to increased demand Network Rail is seeking to recruit 15 additional apprentices for its 2016 intake.

Apprentices have until 18 July to apply for the three-year scheme, which starts on 24 September.

The company, which takes on 150 appreciates a year, has vacancies at Manchester, Stockport, Preston, Warrington, Liverpool, Crewe, Carlisle, Stafford, Sandwell & Dudley, Bletchley, Banbury and London Euston.

The Advanced Apprenticeship programme offers people aged 18 and over a chance to earn while they learn.

Tina Purkis, head of human resources for Network Rail’s London North Western route, said: “This is a fabulous opportunity for young people to gain valuable work experience, transferable skills and recognised qualifications in one of the UK’s most exciting industries.”

Successful applicants will spend 20 weeks of the scheme at Network Rail’s development centre near Coventry. They will then move to their local depots where they’ll experience the front line of the railway.

More than 2,000 people have joined Network Rail’s Advanced Apprenticeship scheme since 2005. These include school and college leavers as well as those that were unhappy with their jobs, and chose to go back and into training to secure a more stable, long-term career.  The majority of those coming through the apprentice scheme also progress their career with Network Rail, with 85% of those who started on the 2005 Apprenticeship Scheme still working for the organisation.

About Network Rail

Network Rail owns, manages and develops Britain's railway - the 20,000 miles of track, 40,000 bridges and viaducts and the thousands of signals, level crossings and stations (the largest of which we also run). In partnership with train operators we help people take more than 1.65bn journeys by rail every year and move hundreds of millions of tonnes of freight, saving almost 8m lorry journeys. We employ 36,000 people across Britain and work round-the-clock, each and every day, to provide a safe, reliable railway.