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Railway Telecoms Apprentice

Thank you for your interest in applying for this TfL Apprenticeship Scheme.

We’d like to remind you that you must ensure you are eligible for this scheme before applying. Please read through the eligibility criteria below carefully and ensure that you are eligible before applying.

This application will also contain a series of questions to establish whether or not you are eligible. It is important that you take great care in reading and answering these questions as we will not be able to revert your application if an error is made.

Please Note: We only allow one application for any of our Apprenticeship schemes per year. Any subsequent applications will be withdrawn

Level 6

Apprentice Standard

Rail and Rail Systems Engineer ; Option: Specific Knowledge and Skills: Telecoms, Networks and Digital Knowledge & Skills:

Location

London (there might be some hybrid working involved depending on a placement)

College location will be dependent upon course availability.

Duration - 3 years

Salary - £25,264

Fun Fact

Former apprentices have gone on to be senior managers and directors in TfL, while others have gone on to lead major companies and projects such as HS2.

Job overview

Our Engineers focus on the assets that form the foundation of our transport system. These Telecoms Engineers are responsible for the design and acceptance of new communications solutions across the underground and TfL utilising both legacy and modern types of communications equipment. Systems delivered by these engineers are responsible for the communications systems that support the delivery of an efficient and reliable transport service.

What will I be doing?

As an apprentice, your 3-year development programme will be made up of up to 6 to 9 placement rotations. Our aim is to equip you with the range of skills and experience you need for your successful career. We also understand that everyone’s career is different, so every apprentice’s journey is unique. Here’s an idea of what yours could look like:

Year 1

Placement 1 – Operational Communications Systems (Stations) – 6 months – You will be involved in many aspects of the delivery of an Operational Communications Systems upgrade project, including Design Reviews, System Delivery, Implementation and Project Safety & Assurance. You will assist in ensuring that designs meet the required specifications and apply project control processes, including risk assessment and hazard identification. You will also assist with & observe testing & commissioning activities.

Placement 2 – Fixed Transmission Systems – 3 months – You will undertake various Engineering Assurance activities, such as supporting the delivery of IP and legacy communications systems and producing Written Notices to amend and clarify engineering standards. You’ll also get involved in Incident Investigations to identify root causes and recommend solutions and improvements.

Placement 3 – Wireless Systems – 3 months – You will employ a variety of Wireless Systems used across the business, including radio systems used by TfL staff and Emergency Services. You’ll be involved in the specification, testing and delivery of changes to these systems assess each change with respect to its complexity and novelty, undertake risk assessments and compile the evidence to produce the required Safety Case.

Year 2

Placement 4 – Surface Operational Systems – 6 months – You will spend time with the Surface Operational Systems. You’ll gain hands-on experience of operational systems including SCADA, CCTV, Radio.

Placement 5 – LU Asset Operations – 3 to 6 months – Communications systems operations and maintenance including working with the internal or external maintainer.

Placement 6 - Cyber Security – 1 to 2 months – Cyber security isn’t just about IT systems; many engineering systems use computer-based equipment and networks, including common systems. You’ll work with the Cyber Security team to understand and support this aspect of communications systems. You’ll assist with responding to cyber security incidents and help to provide cyber security advice to senior discipline engineers.

Year 3

Placement 7 - Capital Delivery - 6 months – You will spend time working on a major capital delivery project, such as the delivery of systems for the introduction of new rolling stock or major communications systems upgrades.

Placement 8 – Return to preferred placement for final 6 months.

Additional information;

To ensure that you gain sufficient breadth and depth to build up your portfolio of engineering experience and knowledge, all Telecoms Systems Engineering Apprentices will undertake the following placements: Major Projects, Station Operational Communications Systems,

Placements may vary in duration but are typically between 3 and 6 months in length. This will depend on the details of the work being undertaken during the placement, for example, one apprentice may have a 6-month placement with one Major Projects team, but another apprentice may have 2 x 3-month placements with two different Major Projects teams. This may become necessary to ensure that you continue to gain sufficient breadth and depth of experience, particularly as each project progresses through its various stages.

During the course of your placements, you will need to gain an understanding and experience of Engineering Safety Management and cyber security. It may be possible to gain sufficient experience and understanding in these areas during the core placements, dependent on the detail of the activities undertaken.

There is scope for apprentices to arrange placements in areas other than those listed above, such as rolling stock (vehicles) or rail or road signalling, provided that the activities/work to be undertaken continues to grow and build your portfolio of evidence and experience.

Where can this career take me?

Upon successful completion of this scheme, you could roll-off into the telecoms team, designing modifications to the existing communication systems and contributing to the introduction of new communication systems. The activities undertaken as a Telecoms Engineering Apprentice will also stand you in good stead if you wish to progress within the Telecoms Discipline.

What training and support will you get?

You will be working towards a Level 6 qualification as a Railway System Engineer.

Typically, you will be required to attend college 1 day a week.

Whilst on the scheme, we’ll support your technical development through a wide range of on-the-job practical experiences and placements. We’ll also support your professional development through a combination of classroom-led training courses, online training courses, mentoring opportunities and structured networking opportunities. You will receive one-to-one support throughout the programme from your scheme sponsor and your Line Manager. You’ll also be connected to a ‘buddy’ who will be a more experienced apprentice from the scheme.

What do we look for?

Everything we do as an organisation is to ensure that our evolving city remains futureproof for millions of Londoners. Our talented apprentices form a vital part of that vision, so it’s important that we find the best people to help us do this. We’re looking for people who have:

• An inquisitive mind
• A willingness to learn
• Resilience and adaptability

As a member of the team, we’ll give you responsibility and the opportunity to add value. If you are excited by inspiring and influencing the future of London then this is the career path for you.

Entry requirements

You should already hold or be working towards a minimum of 5 GCSE’s Grade 4 (C) and above including Maths and English Language (or equivalent) plus 3 A Levels at grades BBB (or equivalent) which must include Maths and/or Physical Sciences.

Candidates with equivalent level 3 qualifications must hold or be on track on achieve one of the following:

• BTEC National Diploma DDM, including Level 3 Mathematics and Physical Sciences (128 UCAS points)
• EAL Technical Extended Diploma in Engineering Technologies, D, including: Further Engineering Mathematics; and other options relevant to Electrical, Mechanical or Civil engineering
• Access to HE qualifications with 24 Distinctions and 21 Merits, with at least half the course in Mathematics and Physical Science subjects (122 UCAS points)
• Equivalent level 3 qualifications worth 120 UCAS points and including Mathematics and Physical Sciences

You are not eligible for this scheme if you currently hold or are working towards a qualification at the same or higher level in a related subject or have already studied content from the qualification for this scheme.

Please note that you will be required to provide original certificates and/or predicted grades as proof for your eligibility checks.

You must be 18 years of age by 11 September 2023 to be eligible for this scheme.

Please note that this role will include working ad-hoc nights which will be be agreed in advance with your line manager.

Application Process

The application process consists of 5 steps, including online assessments which will need to be completed within an allocated time frame. We highly recommend that you read through this document thoroughly so that you can familiarise yourself with the process. Should you need to speak to anyone within the Recruitment Team then please email the recruitment team at [email protected] or call us on 0203 005 1680 Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 17.00pm (Excluding bank holidays)