Skills Bootcamp – Rail Engineering

Designed to give adults the chance to build up sector-specific skills, this seven-week Skills Bootcamp in rail engineering is a great way to fast track towards a new career.

Funded by the Government, the Skills Bootcamp teaches a wide range of industry-skills and knowledge. It is also the first step towards a Level 2 Diploma in Rail Engineering and Track Maintenance and a guaranteed interview with an employer.

As an in-demand and growing industry within the local area, this is the perfect opportunity to start a new chapter in your career with a well-paid, flexible and sustainable job.

Sign up today

Skills Bootcamp outline

You will develop skills in:

Health and safety awareness

Manual handling

Fire awareness

Basic first aid

Hand tools and track components

Site set-up

Switches and crossing

Ballast formation and drainage

Track geometry

Interview preparation and CVs

Communicating with others at work

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Progression Pathways

If you successfully complete the Skills Bootcamp in Rail Engineering, you can progress onto our Level 2 Diploma in Rail Engineering and Track Maintenance course.

This advanced course will further enhance your skills and knowledge, incorporates the safety critical training elements, and provides a guaranteed interview with a rail employer.

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Skills Bootcamp Time, Date and Location

All classes will be held at our Construction Centre - Station Park, Sutton in Ashfield NG17 7RB or our Adult Learning Centre, Four Seasons Centre, Mansfield NG18 1SU.

Start date Monday 30 September 2024

Times: Classes run between 9am – 4pm

Please note: Prior to the class starting, you are required to attend a session called 'Thinking of working in rail?'. This will involve a presentation followed by a short interview. All assessments are available at 9.30am, 11.30am or 1.30pm on the below dates:

Friday 30 August
Friday 6 September
Friday 13 September
Friday 20 September
Friday 27 September.

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Entry requirements

Besides having an interest and passion for railway engineering, you must also:

Be at least 19 years of age (on 31 August 2024)
Have been a resident in the UK for the last 3 years
Be unemployed and in receipt of qualifying benefits, or employed but earning less than £25,000 per year (proof required
Working at a minimum of a Level 1 in maths and English
live in Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, Leicester, Leicestershire, and Greater Lincolnshire

Learners declaring previous convictions will undertake a review and if required, attend an exceptional needs panel. However, learners who have been convicted of theft from the railways are unlikely to be employed in the rail industry.

You must also undertake and pass a random Network Rail Medical and Drugs and Alcohol test during the course.

Please be aware if you have any licence conditions stating that you must not have unsupervised contact with under 18’s then this application cannot be processed or accepted due to the course being held on a site where there are students aged under 18. To avoid any disappointment or confusion please do not apply if this is the case.

FAQs

• Can I apply if I have a criminal conviction?

  Having a criminal conviction should not prevent you from having a career within the rail industry and applying to the course.

  If you have a criminal conviction, your application will be reviewed in line with the college’s standard policy.

• What qualification will I get?

  You will receive a college certificate for successfully completing the skills bootcamp and the opportunity to progress onto the accredited Level 2 course.

• What will I need to bring with me on the first day of the course?

  We require the following for the first day of the course:

  * A valid passport or birth certificate
  Proof of national insurance number (P60, P45, old wage slip or any official document from HMRC or DWP letter)
  Proof of address (bank statement, utility bill or tenancy letter)
  * A valid driving licence

  * A citizen card must be obtained if any learner doesn’t have a valid passport or driving licence.

• What would a job look like in the rail industry?

  Careers in the rail industry can provide great flexibility – with shifts covering days, nights and weekend, during all weather conditions.

  You will always be provided with protective clothing and safety equipment.

  For safety reasons, all rail employees are subject to random drug and alcohol testing.

• What can I progress onto?

  If you met the entry criteria, you can progress onto the Level 2 Diploma in Rail Engineering and Track Maintenance. From here, you can gain employment with a reputable employer and with further training, you could progress to become a supervisor or team leader. Or, with more advanced development, you could become a track inspector, engineering technician, or a track design or manager.