Start Your Career in Rail and Infrastructure
Develop the practical skills, safety knowledge and workplace behaviours employers are looking for with our Rail Engineering Skills Bootcamp.
This eight-week programme combines classroom learning with practical and trackside activity, helping you build the skills and confidence to pursue employment within rail engineering, permanent way, infrastructure and other safety-critical roles.
No previous rail experience is required for suitable and committed candidates.
Course at a Glance
Duration: 8 weeks
Level: Level 3 aligned
Delivery: Face-to-face, classroom and practical training
Location: Various across the East Midlands
Course dates: October 26, November 26, January 27, February 27 and March 27
Cost: Fully funded for eligible learners*
Career focus: Rail engineering and infrastructure
Employment opportunity: Guaranteed interview for a live vacancy on successful completion of the course.
The programme is aligned to the EAL Level 3 Diploma in Rail Engineering Technician Competence and currently provides approximately 250 Guided Learning Hours towards the qualification.
About the Course
The Rail Engineering Skills Bootcamp is designed to prepare you for the expectations of working within the rail and infrastructure industry.
Rail is a safety-critical environment, so the programme combines technical and practical skills with a strong focus on safe working, communication, workplace behaviours and industry expectations.
You’ll develop your skills through practical, employer-led training using rail equipment and environments designed to prepare you for the workplace. The programme has been shaped by rail and infrastructure employers to ensure the training reflects the skills they need.
What Will I Learn?
During the programme, you’ll develop knowledge and practical skills in areas including:
- Rail industry roles and workplace expectations
- Rail health, safety and safe working practices
- Personal Track Safety (PTS) preparation
- Track Induction
- DCCR and electrification awareness
- PPE, emergency response, first aid and manual handling
- Hand tools and measuring equipment
- Track components and permanent way
- Track geometry, switches and crossings
- Inspection, maintenance, repair and adjustment of track
- Safety-critical communication
- Practical trackside working
- CV development, employability and interview preparation
Practical activities can include identifying track components, safe tool handling, site briefings, responding to supervisor instructions, stop-work scenarios and track inspection and measurement.
Is This Course for Me?
This Bootcamp is suitable for adults (19+) who are interested in starting or developing a career within rail, engineering or infrastructure.
You don’t need previous rail experience. You may also have transferable skills from areas such as construction, warehousing, logistics, manufacturing, engineering, maintenance, the Armed Forces or other practical and safety-conscious working environments.
The course may be particularly suitable if you are prepared for practical work, can follow safety procedures and instructions, and are committed to progressing towards employment or career development.
Where Could this Course Take Me?
Completing the Skills Bootcamp can help prepare you for opportunities including:
- Track Operative
- Rail Engineering Operative
- Infrastructure Operative
- Possession Support
- Rail Maintenance Assistant
The skills developed can also support opportunities within construction, civils, logistics and other regulated or safety-critical industries.
As your career develops, progression could include further rail tickets and training, engineering qualifications, apprenticeships, COSS trainee opportunities, Team Leader or Supervisor roles and wider engineering and infrastructure careers.
Training Linked to Real Employment Opportunities
Our Rail Engineering Skills Bootcamp has been developed with employer involvement to ensure your training reflects current industry expectations.
Employers support the programme through activities such as industry insight, curriculum input, practical scenarios, mock interviews, formal interviews and recruitment opportunities.
If you’re looking for a new job, successful completion of the Skills Bootcamp includes a guaranteed interview for a relevant vacancy.
Support to Help You Succeed
You’ll receive support throughout the programme to help you complete your training and prepare for employment.
Depending on your individual needs, this can include travel planning, PPE guidance, digital support, one-to-one reviews, CV and application support, interview preparation, reasonable adjustments and referrals to additional support where appropriate.
Funding and Eligibility
The Rail Engineering Skills Bootcamp is fully funded for eligible learners.
Eligibility will be checked before enrolment and includes requirements relating to your age (19+), right to work in the UK and residency within the eligible East Midlands area. No previous qualification is generally required unless specifically required for a particular role or employment opportunity.
Our Skills Bootcamp is specifically designed to support individual who are unemployed, where focused training will help them progress towards a new job or new self-employment opportunities.
Not sure if you’re eligible? Our team will check this with you as part of the application process.
Ready to Start Your Journey into Rail?
Apply for the Rail Engineering Skills Bootcamp and our team will contact you to discuss the programme, check your eligibility and make sure the course is right for you.
Funded by the East Midlands Combined County Authority.