Who are Network Rail? They’re the people keeping Britain’s railways running, day and night, sun or snow, and they’ve got a surprisingly broad range of schemes for people who want to get qualified while doing the real work that matters.
You don’t have to be obsessed with trains (though no judgement if you are). You just need to be practical, motivated, and ready to learn on the job.
What Schemes Are on Offer?
Network Rail offers apprenticeships at multiple levels, so whether you’re coming straight from GCSEs or already have A-levels or a diploma, there’s likely something to fit.
At Level 3, you’ve got hands-on engineering options across track, signalling, telecoms, electrification, and plant maintenance. This is ideal for school leavers who want to get stuck into physical, technical work. There’s also a Finance apprenticeship at this level, for those more inclined toward spreadsheets than spanners.
If you’re looking at Level 4 or Level 6, the roles get more specialist. These include Building Services Design, Civil Engineering, Project Management, and Digital & Technology Solutions. Many of these are degree apprenticeships, meaning you’ll finish with a recognised university qualification, without student debt, and with three years of experience already under your belt.
There are also less obvious options like Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability or Property Management. In fact, there’s a wide range of office-based or hybrid roles for people interested in how the business runs behind the scenes.
Who Can Apply (and What They’re Looking For)
For starters, the entry requirements depend on the apprenticeship level.
For most Level 3 apprenticeships, you’ll need at least four GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above, including Maths, English, and a science or technical subject. You also have to be 18 or older by the time you start, because some of the work involves safety-critical environments.
For the degree-level schemes, you’re generally looking at three A-levels with grades around BBB–CCC, or the equivalent in vocational qualifications. Maths and English at GCSE level are still essential. They don’t expect you to know everything from day one, but they do want evidence that you can learn quickly, work as part of a team, and solve real-world problems.
Network Rail Apprenticeships - Register Interest
Register your interest to be alerted when the next Network Rail apprenticeships window in the UK goes live.
Pay and Perks
Network Rail apprenticeships are salaried roles, not internships or placements. Most start around £20,000 to £24,000 depending on the scheme and location. The Level 6 roles (like project management and tech) tend to sit at the top end of that range.
Once qualified, the earning potential ramps up quickly. testimonials from current and past apprentices suggest technician roles can reach £42k–£50k with overtime. That’s serious money for your early twenties.
Beyond the salary, the benefits are solid: 28 days of holiday plus bank holidays, subsidised rail travel, a generous pension, and access to things like cycle-to-work schemes and employee discounts. They also give you five paid volunteering days each year, so you can do something good for your community on their time.
What’s It Like to Work as an apprentice at Network Rail
It’s definitely not an office-bound, coffee-fetching kind of apprenticeship. For many Level 3 roles, the first phase involves residential training, sometimes at centres like HMS Sultan in Hampshire, before moving on to on-the-job training at a local depot. You’ll be working alongside experienced teams, learning how to keep the network running safely and efficiently.
The hours can be antisocial, especially in operational roles. You may have early starts, night shifts, or weekend work. But many people enjoy the variety and the camaraderie that comes with working in a close-knit team. If you prefer something more 9-to-5, one of the corporate or digital apprenticeships might be a better fit.
The culture tends to be friendly and down-to-earth. You’re likely to hear the phrase “railway family” thrown around, and it’s not just PR. Many apprentices mention how welcoming their teams are, and how much support they’ve had along the way.
Tips for Landing a Spot
First, make sure you understand what the role actually involves. Each scheme is different, so read the job descriptions carefully and tailor your application to match.
Brush up on your basic maths and logical reasoning. There are usually online assessments before you even reach the interview stage. There’s also an assessment centre, which could include group tasks and interviews. Be yourself, show that you’re willing to learn, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.
If you can, get a bit of hands-on or technical experience beforehand. That might be a college course, volunteering, or even a side project. They’re not expecting a qualified engineer on day one, but they do want to see enthusiasm and initiative.
And finally, if you don’t get in first time, don’t give up. Several apprentices have reapplied after improving their grades or gaining extra experience. The railway runs on persistence, yours included.
Relax. We’ll send the jobs to you.
Reckon you know what you want to do, but can’t find the perfect role? Most companies hire their apprentices in a ‘recruitment window’. This means many great jobs are only available for a short time once or twice each year.
Sign up for our job alerts service, and we’ll send you any jobs that fit your search criteria.
