Nexus has begun a new engineering apprenticeship scheme, which will see the recruits spend their first year living and training with the Royal Navy.
The scheme, which saw hundreds of hopefuls vying for just four available places, involves a one-year residential course at Europe’s largest specialist rail engineering training centre at HMS Sultan in Gosport, on the south coast.
The training centre has a unique relationship with the Royal Navy, which means that in addition to a dedicated on-site training centre there is also access to extensive facilities.
Nexus, which owns and manages Metro, will then give the apprentices the chance to work on the Metro network, looking after the tracks, signals and overhead lines.
Management and Development Manager for Nexus, Bill Collingwood, said: “We’re really excited about our new apprenticeship scheme. The new recruits will spend their first year living and training alongside the Royal Navy at HMS Sultan.
“It will be a fantastic learning experience for them and will be of great benefit to them and Nexus in the longer term. The facilities down there are first class. They will learn a great deal and I know that they’ll really enjoy it.
“Our new apprentices are an ambitious group and they will do well within Nexus. It’s an exciting opportunity for them.”
The Nexus apprenticeship programme is completely tailored to rail engineering requirements.
The apprentices will be provided with a technical foundation that will give them an excellent platform for the future. They will learn fundamental engineering principles and skills through a blend of academic and practical exercises.
In the second and third year the apprentices will be working as part of an engineering maintenance team, based at the Nexus railway maintenance headquarters in South Gosforth, Newcastle, looking after sections of the Metro system.
The apprentices will work towards an NVQ Level Three in Railway Engineering, and this will involve a combination of rail-specific technical courses, work experience and formal assessments.
The apprentices came through a careful selection process to secure their places.
Sam Patten, 19, of Westerhope in Newcastle, was formerly self employed. Sam said: “I was so happy when I found out I was picked for the scheme. I am looking forward to going down to the naval base and learning all that I can to better the Metro and serve the region.”
Connor Blackburn, 18, of Gateshead, has just left sixth form. Connor said: “We have been given a great opportunity here and we will make the most of it. I have been using the Metro for a while, and now learning how to maintain it is a big deal for me as I didn’t see myself doing this.”
Josh Robinson, 19, is from Ashington in Northumberland. He said: “I hope to get a stable career out of this and do my best for the organisation. My aims are to work hard and hopefully become a team leader in five to six years.”
Jonathan Chisholm, 17, hails from North Shields. Jonathan said: “I’m looking forward to a great challenge. Hopefully I’ll get to progress within Nexus and become valuable to the company.”