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My hands-on rail apprenticeship: gaining qualifications and thriving on growth opportunities
Hello! I'm Rowen, a first-year apprentice rail signaling testing engineer. I started my career journey as a 16-year-old studying for A-levels while working overtime at a fast-food chain. Tired and unhappy, I knew I wanted more and gave myself a year to find it. After finishing my A-levels, I applied for engineering degrees and apprenticeships across various fields, eventually landing a degree apprenticeship at a pharmaceutical company. I started with high hopes but soon realized the progression was limited—it wasn't the right fit for me.
What does an apprentice rail signaling testing engineer do?
I work on new signaling projects across the UK as part of an amazing, diverse team of individuals. I'm also studying for a level 3 engineering technician qualification and my Institution of Railway Signal Engineers (IRSE) certification. At the moment, my day-to-day consists of a lot of training all around the country, getting on track with specific projects such as SID and putting what we learn in the classroom to use on-site.
What skills do I need for a rail signaling apprenticeship?
I went back to the drawing board to reflect on my skills and what I truly wanted in a career. I'm a strong communicator, a confident decision-maker, and detail-oriented. I knew I wanted to be challenged and work in a hands-on, impactful role. Growing up, I watched my father build a long-lasting, meaningful career in the railway industry, and I was always intrigued by his work. He often promoted railway careers, calling signal engineering the "golden opportunity."
With this in mind, I knew engineering was the right path. Researching signaling, I discovered it perfectly aligned with my personality and skillset—especially the testing practice. After three months of searching, I found the ideal apprenticeship with AtkinsRéalis and applied immediately.
Why I chose an apprenticeship with AtkinsRéalis:
I've been at AtkinsRéalis for five months, and since joining, my experience so far has been nothing short of amazing. Every day, I get to collaborate with so many different and unique sectors of the transportation team, from design and construction to installation and testing (where I sit).
I've experienced non-stop progression and opportunities since the day I joined. From a technical standpoint, I've attained highly sought-after job-specific qualifications like MOD 5, the test assistant course, and Basic Signalling One and Two (BS1 and BS2). I've also grown professionally by attending seminars and career events. All of this has been fully supported by my line manager and the Senior Leadership Team (SLT).
What is the culture like at AtkinsRéalis for apprentices?
From a social perspective, I've met some wonderful colleagues who are experts in their respective fields and always willing to help me with anything. I've also made great friends. I was one of seven new apprentices who joined the signaling test team this year, and within four months, I've made some genuine, long-lasting connections.
Love hands-on, impactful work? Seize this opportunity to collaborate with a talented and supportive team. Browse LIVE roles on our Rail Signalling Testing Engineer Apprenticeship Programme.
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