Apprentice Rolling Stock Technician

South Western News UK; Ryde; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A major railway service provider is offering an apprenticeship for motivated individuals aged 18+ to gain hands-on experience in train maintenance. Successful candidates will learn alongside experienced engineers, assisting with inspections, repairs, and troubleshooting. Qualifications include GCSEs in Maths, English, and Science, and a commitment to safety and teamwork is essential. This role includes benefits such as free travel and a competitive salary.

Benefits

Free duty and leisure travel on SWR services

75% discount on many other train operating companies

Excellent pension scheme

Qualifications

• GCSE Maths grade 5+ required.
• GCSE English grade 4+ required.
• GCSE Science grade 4+ required.

Responsibilities

• Assist with inspections, repairs, and component replacements.
• Diagnose faults and troubleshoot efficiently.
• Support installation and testing of new equipment.

Job description

Overview

*Please note for this apprenticeship, you will need to be aged 18+ years on the 1st September 2026.

Who are we?

South Western Railway (SWR) operates over 1,500 services each weekday across the network and employs more than 5,000 people. We provide easy and convenient mobility, connecting people and communities in South West London, southern counties of England, and the Isle of Wight.

Join our team and help us continue to bring people together to get the most out of life.

About the job

At South Western Railway, we believe our people are our greatest asset. SWR is a leading provider of passenger train services in the south-west of England. With a commitment to safety, reliability, and sustainability, we strive to deliver exceptional service to our customers while maintaining a strong focus on innovation and continuous improvement. Our fleet, encompassing electric and diesel trains, covers over 4 million miles yearly. Our skilled colleagues ensure the reliability and availability of our services, directly impacting customer satisfaction.

Your main responsibilities

As an apprentice, you will work alongside experienced engineers, learning from their expertise while contributing to critical maintenance and repair tasks across our network. Based at one of our Train Care Depots, we will provide the foundation upon which you can build a great career in the rail industry.

You will assist with routine maintenance activities including:

• Inspections, repairs, and component replacements.
• Diagnose faults and perform troubleshooting to identify and rectify issues efficiently.
• Support the installation and testing of new equipment and systems.
• Follow safety protocols and procedures to ensure a safe working environment.
• Collaborate with team members to achieve operational objectives.
• Deliver high-quality service to our customers.

You\'ll need to have

• GCSE Maths grade 5+
• GCSE English grade 4+
• GCSE Science grade 4+

Desirable

• A desire to pursue a career in the railway industry.
• Flexibility – this apprenticeship may involve early or late shifts and travel to other areas on our network.
• Excellent communication, with the ability to motivate and inspire a team.
• Proactive and adaptable approach to problem-solving, with a keen eye for detail.
• Willingness to undergo training and development to enhance skills and knowledge in the role.
• A dedication to upholding the company\'s values and delivering exceptional service

Working pattern

Working an average of 37 hours per week over 5 days

The Reward

In return we offer a competitive salary and a variety of valuable benefits, including:

• Free duty and leisure travel on SWR services for employees
• Free leisure travel for spouse/partner and dependants (criteria dependent)
• 75% discount on many other train operating companies
• Full training and support with development
• Excellent pension scheme

Inclusion and equal opportunity

We all belong at SWR. Our vision is to provide an inclusive environment for all colleagues, ensuring all candidates have an equal opportunity to access meaningful employment.

We value our differences such as age, gender, LGBTQIA+, ethnicity, religion, and disability. We maintain a zero tolerance towards any form of prejudice towards our colleagues, customers, and future talent.

We celebrate and encourage diversity of thought, progressive ways of working and seeing all our colleagues grow and thrive.

Support for disability or neurodivergent conditions

If you require additional support to complete your application due to a disability or neurodivergent condition, for example, dyslexia, dyspraxia, or autism, please share any additional needs you may require so we can provide a fair and equal process for all who apply. The following resources may be helpful: the neurodiversity page of Exceptional Individuals and the Neurodiversity resource by Health Assured.