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Apprenticeship training course

Rail engineering operative (level 2)

There are 24 training providers who offer this course. Check if a training provider can deliver this training in the apprentice's work location.

Apprentice's work location

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Information about Rail engineering operative (level 2)

Providing support to technicians and engineers working on the rail network and trains.

Knowledge, skills and behaviours
View knowledge, skills and behaviours

Knowledge

  • Safe and Professional working practices including legislation, regulation, industry procedures and safety requirements.
  • The general engineering techniques required to support the maintenance, renewal and construction of The Railway.
  • How to work effectively and contribute to engineering solutions including awareness of the importance of 3rd party requirement and the need to understand and adhere to corporate policies on ethics, equality and diversity.
  • Awareness of commercial principles applicable to The Railway, and the implications of these.
  • Understand the relevant tolerances for track installation, specific methods and techniques for track inspection, maintenance and replacement, what constitutes a track defect or variation, track work instructions, hot weather restrictions and extreme weather plans.
  • Understand electrical and electronic principals.
  • Understand mechanical principles and construction design.
  • Understand function and characteristics of railway signalling systems, including electrical, electronic and mechanical principles.
  • Understand principles of electronic devices, circuits, data and communications equipment.
  • Understand the types of operational constraints when carrying out telecoms installation and maintenance activities.
  • Understand vehicle design, construction, maintenance and operation.
  • Safe and Professional working practices including legislation, regulation, industry procedures and safety requirements.
  • The general engineering techniques required to support the maintenance, renewal and construction of The Railway.
  • How to work effectively and contribute to engineering solutions including awareness of the importance of 3rd party requirement and the need to understand and adhere to corporate policies on ethics, equality and diversity.
  • Awareness of commercial principles applicable to The Railway, and the implications of these.
  • Understand the relevant tolerances for track installation, specific methods and techniques for track inspection, maintenance and replacement, what constitutes a track defect or variation, track work instructions, hot weather restrictions and extreme weather plans.
  • Understand electrical and electronic principals.
  • Understand mechanical principles and construction design.
  • Understand function and characteristics of railway signalling systems, including electrical, electronic and mechanical principles.
  • Understand principles of electronic devices, circuits, data and communications equipment.
  • Understand the types of operational constraints when carrying out telecoms installation and maintenance activities.
  • Understand vehicle design, construction, maintenance and operation.
  • Safe and Professional working practices including legislation, regulation, industry procedures and safety requirements.
  • The general engineering techniques required to support the maintenance, renewal and construction of The Railway.
  • How to work effectively and contribute to engineering solutions including awareness of the importance of 3rd party requirement and the need to understand and adhere to corporate policies on ethics, equality and diversity.
  • Awareness of commercial principles applicable to The Railway, and the implications of these.
  • Understand the relevant tolerances for track installation, specific methods and techniques for track inspection, maintenance and replacement, what constitutes a track defect or variation, track work instructions, hot weather restrictions and extreme weather plans.
  • Understand electrical and electronic principals.
  • Understand mechanical principles and construction design.
  • Understand function and characteristics of railway signalling systems, including electrical, electronic and mechanical principles.
  • Understand principles of electronic devices, circuits, data and communications equipment.
  • Understand the types of operational constraints when carrying out telecoms installation and maintenance activities.
  • Understand vehicle design, construction, maintenance and operation.
  • Safe and Professional working practices including legislation, regulation, industry procedures and safety requirements.
  • The general engineering techniques required to support the maintenance, renewal and construction of The Railway.
  • How to work effectively and contribute to engineering solutions including awareness of the importance of 3rd party requirement and the need to understand and adhere to corporate policies on ethics, equality and diversity.
  • Awareness of commercial principles applicable to The Railway, and the implications of these.
  • Understand the relevant tolerances for track installation, specific methods and techniques for track inspection, maintenance and replacement, what constitutes a track defect or variation, track work instructions, hot weather restrictions and extreme weather plans.
  • Understand electrical and electronic principals.
  • Understand mechanical principles and construction design.
  • Understand function and characteristics of railway signalling systems, including electrical, electronic and mechanical principles.
  • Understand principles of electronic devices, circuits, data and communications equipment.
  • Understand the types of operational constraints when carrying out telecoms installation and maintenance activities.
  • Understand vehicle design, construction, maintenance and operation.
  • Safe and Professional working practices including legislation, regulation, industry procedures and safety requirements.
  • The general engineering techniques required to support the maintenance, renewal and construction of The Railway.
  • How to work effectively and contribute to engineering solutions including awareness of the importance of 3rd party requirement and the need to understand and adhere to corporate policies on ethics, equality and diversity.
  • Awareness of commercial principles applicable to The Railway, and the implications of these.
  • Understand the relevant tolerances for track installation, specific methods and techniques for track inspection, maintenance and replacement, what constitutes a track defect or variation, track work instructions, hot weather restrictions and extreme weather plans.
  • Understand electrical and electronic principals.
  • Understand mechanical principles and construction design.
  • Understand function and characteristics of railway signalling systems, including electrical, electronic and mechanical principles.
  • Understand principles of electronic devices, circuits, data and communications equipment.
  • Understand the types of operational constraints when carrying out telecoms installation and maintenance activities.
  • Understand vehicle design, construction, maintenance and operation.
  • Safe and Professional working practices including legislation, regulation, industry procedures and safety requirements.
  • The general engineering techniques required to support the maintenance, renewal and construction of The Railway.
  • How to work effectively and contribute to engineering solutions including awareness of the importance of 3rd party requirement and the need to understand and adhere to corporate policies on ethics, equality and diversity.
  • Awareness of commercial principles applicable to The Railway, and the implications of these.
  • Understand the relevant tolerances for track installation, specific methods and techniques for track inspection, maintenance and replacement, what constitutes a track defect or variation, track work instructions, hot weather restrictions and extreme weather plans.
  • Understand electrical and electronic principals.
  • Understand mechanical principles and construction design.
  • Understand function and characteristics of railway signalling systems, including electrical, electronic and mechanical principles.
  • Understand principles of electronic devices, circuits, data and communications equipment.
  • Understand the types of operational constraints when carrying out telecoms installation and maintenance activities.
  • Understand vehicle design, construction, maintenance and operation.

Skills

  • Keep themselves and others safe by adhering to safe working practices. Understand and comply with statutory regulations and organisational safety requirements, including safe access to work locations.
  • Prepare for a high standard of technical work: Gathering and interpreting information including drawings, plans and schedules needed for rail engineering activities and prepare the work location.
  • Deliver a high standard of technical work: Undertake engineering activities in relation to maintenance, construction / installation and or renewal of assets. Take responsibility for their own work on completing relevant integrity and compliance checks. Reinstate the work area after engineering activity
  • Identify and report problems: Identify, recognise and escalate appropriately common problems.
  • Use resources including the correct utilisation and storage of tools, materials and equipment, and the lifting and moving of materials, components and equipment.
  • Communicate effectively. Use oral, written, electronic and IT based methods and systems for the accurate communication and reporting & recording of technical and other information, using correct terms, standards, templates and certifications.
  • Able to restore track geometry faults by manual repair of assets as part of a team.
  • Under direction, restore plain line track geometry, rail switches and crossings, and where appropriate conductor rail systems, to operational condition and maintain the track and its environment including vegetation and drainage.
  • Under direction: assist in maintenance and installation of railway electrification equipment and components; assist in isolation and earthing of electrical systems at different voltages and frequencies, working on live battery & inverter systems and maintaining substation plant.
  • Follow instructions to assemble overhead line components in line with detailed specification, using lifting and access equipment while working at heights.
  • Under direction: install & wire signalling or control systems; install position and label equipment & components & cables correctly; undertake installation integrity checks; assist in testing of components & equipment in accordance with test specifications & plans; maintain and rectify signal control systems equipment.
  • Under direction undertake the activities of installation, planned preventative maintenance and maintenance testing activities on operational railway telecoms systems and establish compliance with drawings and specifications.
  • Under direction, carry out preventative and scheduled maintenance activities and follow vehicle maintenance instructions on T&RS mechanical, electrical, fluid power and electronic communication equipment including ensuring vehicle trim, ancillary equipment and fittings are secured and in good order, check subsystems are operating correctly.
  • Assist with the installation of T&RS equipment.
  • Keep themselves and others safe by adhering to safe working practices. Understand and comply with statutory regulations and organisational safety requirements, including safe access to work locations.
  • Prepare for a high standard of technical work: Gathering and interpreting information including drawings, plans and schedules needed for rail engineering activities and prepare the work location.
  • Deliver a high standard of technical work: Undertake engineering activities in relation to maintenance, construction / installation and or renewal of assets. Take responsibility for their own work on completing relevant integrity and compliance checks. Reinstate the work area after engineering activity
  • Identify and report problems: Identify, recognise and escalate appropriately common problems.
  • Use resources including the correct utilisation and storage of tools, materials and equipment, and the lifting and moving of materials, components and equipment.
  • Communicate effectively. Use oral, written, electronic and IT based methods and systems for the accurate communication and reporting & recording of technical and other information, using correct terms, standards, templates and certifications.
  • Able to restore track geometry faults by manual repair of assets as part of a team.
  • Under direction, restore plain line track geometry, rail switches and crossings, and where appropriate conductor rail systems, to operational condition and maintain the track and its environment including vegetation and drainage.
  • Under direction: assist in maintenance and installation of railway electrification equipment and components; assist in isolation and earthing of electrical systems at different voltages and frequencies, working on live battery & inverter systems and maintaining substation plant.
  • Follow instructions to assemble overhead line components in line with detailed specification, using lifting and access equipment while working at heights.
  • Under direction: install & wire signalling or control systems; install position and label equipment & components & cables correctly; undertake installation integrity checks; assist in testing of components & equipment in accordance with test specifications & plans; maintain and rectify signal control systems equipment.
  • Under direction undertake the activities of installation, planned preventative maintenance and maintenance testing activities on operational railway telecoms systems and establish compliance with drawings and specifications.
  • Under direction, carry out preventative and scheduled maintenance activities and follow vehicle maintenance instructions on T&RS mechanical, electrical, fluid power and electronic communication equipment including ensuring vehicle trim, ancillary equipment and fittings are secured and in good order, check subsystems are operating correctly.
  • Assist with the installation of T&RS equipment.
  • Keep themselves and others safe by adhering to safe working practices. Understand and comply with statutory regulations and organisational safety requirements, including safe access to work locations.
  • Prepare for a high standard of technical work: Gathering and interpreting information including drawings, plans and schedules needed for rail engineering activities and prepare the work location.
  • Deliver a high standard of technical work: Undertake engineering activities in relation to maintenance, construction / installation and or renewal of assets. Take responsibility for their own work on completing relevant integrity and compliance checks. Reinstate the work area after engineering activity
  • Identify and report problems: Identify, recognise and escalate appropriately common problems.
  • Use resources including the correct utilisation and storage of tools, materials and equipment, and the lifting and moving of materials, components and equipment.
  • Communicate effectively. Use oral, written, electronic and IT based methods and systems for the accurate communication and reporting & recording of technical and other information, using correct terms, standards, templates and certifications.
  • Able to restore track geometry faults by manual repair of assets as part of a team.
  • Under direction, restore plain line track geometry, rail switches and crossings, and where appropriate conductor rail systems, to operational condition and maintain the track and its environment including vegetation and drainage.
  • Under direction: assist in maintenance and installation of railway electrification equipment and components; assist in isolation and earthing of electrical systems at different voltages and frequencies, working on live battery & inverter systems and maintaining substation plant.
  • Follow instructions to assemble overhead line components in line with detailed specification, using lifting and access equipment while working at heights.
  • Under direction: install & wire signalling or control systems; install position and label equipment & components & cables correctly; undertake installation integrity checks; assist in testing of components & equipment in accordance with test specifications & plans; maintain and rectify signal control systems equipment.
  • Under direction undertake the activities of installation, planned preventative maintenance and maintenance testing activities on operational railway telecoms systems and establish compliance with drawings and specifications.
  • Under direction, carry out preventative and scheduled maintenance activities and follow vehicle maintenance instructions on T&RS mechanical, electrical, fluid power and electronic communication equipment including ensuring vehicle trim, ancillary equipment and fittings are secured and in good order, check subsystems are operating correctly.
  • Assist with the installation of T&RS equipment.
  • Keep themselves and others safe by adhering to safe working practices. Understand and comply with statutory regulations and organisational safety requirements, including safe access to work locations.
  • Prepare for a high standard of technical work: Gathering and interpreting information including drawings, plans and schedules needed for rail engineering activities and prepare the work location.
  • Deliver a high standard of technical work: Undertake engineering activities in relation to maintenance, construction / installation and or renewal of assets. Take responsibility for their own work on completing relevant integrity and compliance checks. Reinstate the work area after engineering activity
  • Identify and report problems: Identify, recognise and escalate appropriately common problems.
  • Use resources including the correct utilisation and storage of tools, materials and equipment, and the lifting and moving of materials, components and equipment.
  • Communicate effectively. Use oral, written, electronic and IT based methods and systems for the accurate communication and reporting & recording of technical and other information, using correct terms, standards, templates and certifications.
  • Able to restore track geometry faults by manual repair of assets as part of a team.
  • Under direction, restore plain line track geometry, rail switches and crossings, and where appropriate conductor rail systems, to operational condition and maintain the track and its environment including vegetation and drainage.
  • Under direction: assist in maintenance and installation of railway electrification equipment and components; assist in isolation and earthing of electrical systems at different voltages and frequencies, working on live battery & inverter systems and maintaining substation plant.
  • Follow instructions to assemble overhead line components in line with detailed specification, using lifting and access equipment while working at heights.
  • Under direction: install & wire signalling or control systems; install position and label equipment & components & cables correctly; undertake installation integrity checks; assist in testing of components & equipment in accordance with test specifications & plans; maintain and rectify signal control systems equipment.
  • Under direction undertake the activities of installation, planned preventative maintenance and maintenance testing activities on operational railway telecoms systems and establish compliance with drawings and specifications.
  • Under direction, carry out preventative and scheduled maintenance activities and follow vehicle maintenance instructions on T&RS mechanical, electrical, fluid power and electronic communication equipment including ensuring vehicle trim, ancillary equipment and fittings are secured and in good order, check subsystems are operating correctly.
  • Assist with the installation of T&RS equipment.
  • Keep themselves and others safe by adhering to safe working practices. Understand and comply with statutory regulations and organisational safety requirements, including safe access to work locations.
  • Prepare for a high standard of technical work: Gathering and interpreting information including drawings, plans and schedules needed for rail engineering activities and prepare the work location.
  • Deliver a high standard of technical work: Undertake engineering activities in relation to maintenance, construction / installation and or renewal of assets. Take responsibility for their own work on completing relevant integrity and compliance checks. Reinstate the work area after engineering activity
  • Identify and report problems: Identify, recognise and escalate appropriately common problems.
  • Use resources including the correct utilisation and storage of tools, materials and equipment, and the lifting and moving of materials, components and equipment.
  • Communicate effectively. Use oral, written, electronic and IT based methods and systems for the accurate communication and reporting & recording of technical and other information, using correct terms, standards, templates and certifications.
  • Able to restore track geometry faults by manual repair of assets as part of a team.
  • Under direction, restore plain line track geometry, rail switches and crossings, and where appropriate conductor rail systems, to operational condition and maintain the track and its environment including vegetation and drainage.
  • Under direction: assist in maintenance and installation of railway electrification equipment and components; assist in isolation and earthing of electrical systems at different voltages and frequencies, working on live battery & inverter systems and maintaining substation plant.
  • Follow instructions to assemble overhead line components in line with detailed specification, using lifting and access equipment while working at heights.
  • Under direction: install & wire signalling or control systems; install position and label equipment & components & cables correctly; undertake installation integrity checks; assist in testing of components & equipment in accordance with test specifications & plans; maintain and rectify signal control systems equipment.
  • Under direction undertake the activities of installation, planned preventative maintenance and maintenance testing activities on operational railway telecoms systems and establish compliance with drawings and specifications.
  • Under direction, carry out preventative and scheduled maintenance activities and follow vehicle maintenance instructions on T&RS mechanical, electrical, fluid power and electronic communication equipment including ensuring vehicle trim, ancillary equipment and fittings are secured and in good order, check subsystems are operating correctly.
  • Assist with the installation of T&RS equipment.
  • Keep themselves and others safe by adhering to safe working practices. Understand and comply with statutory regulations and organisational safety requirements, including safe access to work locations.
  • Prepare for a high standard of technical work: Gathering and interpreting information including drawings, plans and schedules needed for rail engineering activities and prepare the work location.
  • Deliver a high standard of technical work: Undertake engineering activities in relation to maintenance, construction / installation and or renewal of assets. Take responsibility for their own work on completing relevant integrity and compliance checks. Reinstate the work area after engineering activity
  • Identify and report problems: Identify, recognise and escalate appropriately common problems.
  • Use resources including the correct utilisation and storage of tools, materials and equipment, and the lifting and moving of materials, components and equipment.
  • Communicate effectively. Use oral, written, electronic and IT based methods and systems for the accurate communication and reporting & recording of technical and other information, using correct terms, standards, templates and certifications.
  • Able to restore track geometry faults by manual repair of assets as part of a team.
  • Under direction, restore plain line track geometry, rail switches and crossings, and where appropriate conductor rail systems, to operational condition and maintain the track and its environment including vegetation and drainage.
  • Under direction: assist in maintenance and installation of railway electrification equipment and components; assist in isolation and earthing of electrical systems at different voltages and frequencies, working on live battery & inverter systems and maintaining substation plant.
  • Follow instructions to assemble overhead line components in line with detailed specification, using lifting and access equipment while working at heights.
  • Under direction: install & wire signalling or control systems; install position and label equipment & components & cables correctly; undertake installation integrity checks; assist in testing of components & equipment in accordance with test specifications & plans; maintain and rectify signal control systems equipment.
  • Under direction undertake the activities of installation, planned preventative maintenance and maintenance testing activities on operational railway telecoms systems and establish compliance with drawings and specifications.
  • Under direction, carry out preventative and scheduled maintenance activities and follow vehicle maintenance instructions on T&RS mechanical, electrical, fluid power and electronic communication equipment including ensuring vehicle trim, ancillary equipment and fittings are secured and in good order, check subsystems are operating correctly.
  • Assist with the installation of T&RS equipment.

Behaviours

  • Act professionally demonstrating dependability, determination, honesty and integrity. Respect others, act ethically and contribute to sustainable development.
  • Be risk aware so as to help reduce risks by checking of information, concentration on the task, and awareness of changing circumstances on activity.
  • Display a self-disciplined, self-motivated, proactive approach to work, able to make independent decisions whilst knowing one’s limitations and when to ask for help or to escalate.
  • Work reliably and safely, occasionally without close supervision, to approved industry standards and safe working practices.
  • Work effectively and efficiently, individually and as part of a team, maintaining effective relationships with colleagues, clients, suppliers and the public.
  • Receptive to feedback, willing to learn new skills and adjust to change. Carrying out and record CPD necessary to maintain and enhance competence.
  • Prepared to make a personal commitment to their employer, the industry and its professional standards
  • Act professionally demonstrating dependability, determination, honesty and integrity. Respect others, act ethically and contribute to sustainable development.
  • Be risk aware so as to help reduce risks by checking of information, concentration on the task, and awareness of changing circumstances on activity.
  • Display a self-disciplined, self-motivated, proactive approach to work, able to make independent decisions whilst knowing one’s limitations and when to ask for help or to escalate.
  • Work reliably and safely, occasionally without close supervision, to approved industry standards and safe working practices.
  • Work effectively and efficiently, individually and as part of a team, maintaining effective relationships with colleagues, clients, suppliers and the public.
  • Receptive to feedback, willing to learn new skills and adjust to change. Carrying out and record CPD necessary to maintain and enhance competence.
  • Prepared to make a personal commitment to their employer, the industry and its professional standards
  • Act professionally demonstrating dependability, determination, honesty and integrity. Respect others, act ethically and contribute to sustainable development.
  • Be risk aware so as to help reduce risks by checking of information, concentration on the task, and awareness of changing circumstances on activity.
  • Display a self-disciplined, self-motivated, proactive approach to work, able to make independent decisions whilst knowing one’s limitations and when to ask for help or to escalate.
  • Work reliably and safely, occasionally without close supervision, to approved industry standards and safe working practices.
  • Work effectively and efficiently, individually and as part of a team, maintaining effective relationships with colleagues, clients, suppliers and the public.
  • Receptive to feedback, willing to learn new skills and adjust to change. Carrying out and record CPD necessary to maintain and enhance competence.
  • Prepared to make a personal commitment to their employer, the industry and its professional standards
  • Act professionally demonstrating dependability, determination, honesty and integrity. Respect others, act ethically and contribute to sustainable development.
  • Be risk aware so as to help reduce risks by checking of information, concentration on the task, and awareness of changing circumstances on activity.
  • Display a self-disciplined, self-motivated, proactive approach to work, able to make independent decisions whilst knowing one’s limitations and when to ask for help or to escalate.
  • Work reliably and safely, occasionally without close supervision, to approved industry standards and safe working practices.
  • Work effectively and efficiently, individually and as part of a team, maintaining effective relationships with colleagues, clients, suppliers and the public.
  • Receptive to feedback, willing to learn new skills and adjust to change. Carrying out and record CPD necessary to maintain and enhance competence.
  • Prepared to make a personal commitment to their employer, the industry and its professional standards
  • Act professionally demonstrating dependability, determination, honesty and integrity. Respect others, act ethically and contribute to sustainable development.
  • Be risk aware so as to help reduce risks by checking of information, concentration on the task, and awareness of changing circumstances on activity.
  • Display a self-disciplined, self-motivated, proactive approach to work, able to make independent decisions whilst knowing one’s limitations and when to ask for help or to escalate.
  • Work reliably and safely, occasionally without close supervision, to approved industry standards and safe working practices.
  • Work effectively and efficiently, individually and as part of a team, maintaining effective relationships with colleagues, clients, suppliers and the public.
  • Receptive to feedback, willing to learn new skills and adjust to change. Carrying out and record CPD necessary to maintain and enhance competence.
  • Prepared to make a personal commitment to their employer, the industry and its professional standards
  • Act professionally demonstrating dependability, determination, honesty and integrity. Respect others, act ethically and contribute to sustainable development.
  • Be risk aware so as to help reduce risks by checking of information, concentration on the task, and awareness of changing circumstances on activity.
  • Display a self-disciplined, self-motivated, proactive approach to work, able to make independent decisions whilst knowing one’s limitations and when to ask for help or to escalate.
  • Work reliably and safely, occasionally without close supervision, to approved industry standards and safe working practices.
  • Work effectively and efficiently, individually and as part of a team, maintaining effective relationships with colleagues, clients, suppliers and the public.
  • Receptive to feedback, willing to learn new skills and adjust to change. Carrying out and record CPD necessary to maintain and enhance competence.
  • Prepared to make a personal commitment to their employer, the industry and its professional standards
Apprenticeship category (sector)
Engineering and manufacturing
Qualification level
2
Equal to GCSE
Course duration
12 months
Funding
£12,000
Maximum government funding for
apprenticeship training and assessment costs.
Job titles include
  • Railway engineer
  • rail engineer

View more information about Rail engineering operative (level 2) from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.