East Midlands Trains on the hunt for new Apprentice Engineers

East Midlands Trains is highlighting its commitment to expanding the rail industry’s skills base with the launch of a recruitment campaign to find new engineering apprentices. 

The East Midlands based rail operator is looking for six apprentices to join its busy Fleet Engineering Team, working at its maintenance depots in Derby, Nottingham and Leeds. The Engineering Apprentices will help the team of over 450 maintenance staff to look after the 101 fleet of trains operating on services to London and right across the East Midlands, providing safe, reliable and clean trains for customers.

The apprentices will be trained to Level Three standard. They will be taught in-depth electrical and mechanical engineering as well as having practical experience and a host of other tasks that keep East Midlands Trains on the right track.

Last year, East Midlands Trains carried out a major recruitment drive to encourage more females to join the industry, with initiatives such as targeted advertising and anonymous candidate screening helping to double the number of female applicants as women and ethnic minority groups are currently under-represented within their fleet population. The train company is encouraging female applicants to consider a career in engineering by applying for the apprentice scheme. 

Callum Slater, Apprentice Fleet Engineer at East Midlands Trains said: “Since the day of starting my apprenticeship I've loved my job. I had been to college before and it could never compare to my time as an apprentice.

“I've been able to learn many things throughout my time here and got the hands on experience to help reinforce it. Every week I’ve come away from work saying that I’ve learned something new, no matter how big or small.

“There have been plenty of individuals who have taken the time to help me, teaching me about the different parts of the job. This has been extremely helpful to my development and I owe it to each and every one of them for their patience with teaching me.

“In the future I hope to be taken on full time as a senior team member, which will help to improve my knowledge even further and my ultimate aim is that one day I hope to have the responsibility to be a team leader managing my own team.”

In 2018, East Midlands Trains pioneered a new level three train driver apprenticeship programme, designed to support the industry’s commitment to grow its skills base and further professionalise the train driver role.

Chris Wright, Fleet Director for East Midlands Trains said: “Throughout the next few years, the rail industry will continue to go through some significant changes; with more technologically advanced trains and maintenance techniques being introduced.

“We are looking to recruit a new generation of engineers, people who are excited to build a career in the railway industry and this apprenticeship is a great starting point".

The closing date for applicants to apply is Friday 8 February.

Terms and Conditions apply, for full details visit https://www.eastmidlandstrains.co.uk/careers

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