Track Engineering Apprentice

Cleshar Contract Services Ltd; Ashford; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 18,000; Full time

Job summary

Cleshar Contract Services Ltd is offering a Rail Engineering Operative Apprentice position. You will develop practical skills to maintain, repair and renew railway track infrastructure while working alongside experienced professionals and gaining hands-on experience.

This paid apprenticeship covers track maintenance, re‑railing, re‑sleepering, points and crossings, drainage, ballast and concrete works. You will learn to use specialist tools safely as part of a team and build the foundation for a

Qualifications

• Strong interest in engineering, transportation, or infrastructure industries.
• Excellent communication skills to collaborate with team members and stakeholders.
• Willingness to learn management tasks within a technical environment.
• Ability to perform physical tasks related to maintenance and site inspections.
• Training provided for driving or operating machinery.

Responsibilities

• Adjusting, replacing, and installing conductor rail, ramps and insulators.
• Maintaining, removing, replacing, and installing rail joints.
• Track re‑gauging and replacing points and crossings.
• Shovel and Kango packing; re‑ballasting and re‑timbering.
• Refurbishing or plugging holes in sleepers and timbers.
• Replacing keys, clips, nylon, pads and ferals.
• Re‑railing in tube, sub‑surface and open sections.
• Reconditioning and concrete works.
• Rail adjusting and stressing.
• Scrap and rubbish removal.
• Drainage works and other maintenance and renewals.

Skills

Engineering interest

Communication skills

Teamwork

Physical ability

Machinery experience

Job description

As an Rail Engineering Operative Apprentice, you will develop the practical skills and technical knowledge required to maintain, repair and renew railway track infrastructure. Working alongside experienced railway professionals, you will gain hands‑on experience in activities including track maintenance, re‑railing, re‑sleepering, points and crossings, conductor rail works, rail stressing, drainage, ballast and concrete works.

You will support a range of planned maintenance and renewal activities, learning to use specialist tools and equipment while working safely and effectively as part of a team. The apprenticeship will provide experience across different railway environments, including tube, sub‑surface and open sections, helping you develop the competence required for a career in railway engineering.

Responsibilities

• Adjusting, replacing, and installing conductor rail, ramps and insulators
• Maintaining, removing, replacing, and installing rail joints
• Track re‑gauging
• Replacing points and crossings
• Shovel and Kango packing
• Digging out and re‑ballasting
• Re‑sleepering & Re‑timbering
• Refurbishing or plugging holes in sleepers and timbers
• Replacing keys, clips, nylons, pads and ferals
• Re‑railing in tube, sub‑surface and open sections
• Reconditioning & concrete works
• Rail adjusting and stressing
• Scrap and rubbish removal
• Drainage works
• All types of Maintenance & renewals work

Experience

• A strong interest in engineering, transportation, or infrastructure industries.
• Excellent communication skills to collaborate effectively with team members and stakeholders.
• Basic understanding of management principles or willingness to learn management tasks within a technical environment.
• Ability to perform physical tasks related to maintenance activities and site inspections.
• Prior experience in driving or operating machinery is advantageous but not required; training will be provided.
• Demonstrated enthusiasm for learning new skills and working safely in a team-oriented setting.

This apprenticeship provides a comprehensive foundation for a future career as a Rail Engineering Operative while offering valuable paid experience today!

Work Location: On the road