BUSINESS FUNCTION: Engineering

GRADE: Rail Engineering Apprentice  

SALARY: £19,885 per annum (starting rate), increasing annually 

ROLE TYPE: On site

HOURS: 35 per week

People rely on Northern trains every day, to get to work, see family, explore the North, and everything in between. Keeping those trains safe, reliable, and ready to run takes skilled engineers behind the scenes, and that’s where you come in.

As a Rail Engineering Apprentice, you’d be part of the teams who maintain and repair our trains at our TrainCare Centres. This three year programme lets you earn while you learn, build hands-on engineering skills, and find your platform in a career that can take you in many directions across the railway.

If you enjoy understanding how things work, solving problems, and being part of a close-knit team, this is a practical, future-focused way to get your foot on the railway.

What you’ll be doing

Over three years, you’ll combine college learning with real-world experience, supported by our Engineering Apprenticeship Manager, our expert trainers and engineers. You'll be:

• Learning how to maintain, inspect, and repair trains safely and efficiently
• Gaining hands-on experience with traction and rolling stock systems
• Working alongside experienced engineers at your home TrainCare Centre
• Building your technical knowledge in mechanical and electrical engineering
• Developing the skills and evidence needed to complete your End Point Assessment
• Following safety rules and procedures that keep you and others safe
• You’ll study towards a Level 3 qualification in Rail Engineering Technician, delivered in partnership with Myerscough College in Preston and the National Training Academy for Rail (NTAR) in Northampton.

How the apprenticeship works

Years 1: You’ll spend the school terms living and studying at Myerscough College in Preston, working towards your Level 2 qualification. Accommodation is provided and paid for, at the college, by Northern. When you’re not at college, you’ll be based at your TrainCare Centre, following a structured learning plan with the Engineering Trainers and Engineering Apprenticeship Manager.

Year 2 & 3:  You’ll be fully embedded in your TrainCare Centre team, building hands-on experience and completing your portfolio ready for your End Point Assessment.

About you

You don’t need to know everything already. Curiosity, commitment, and a genuine interest in engineering matter most. You’ll bring:

• An interest in mechanical and electrical engineering... that’s the spark we’re looking for!
• A willingness to learn, ask questions, and get stuck in
• The ability to work well as part of a team and communicate clearly
• A safety-first mindset and the ability to follow rules and procedures

You’ll also need:

• A minimum of 5 GCSEs (achieved or predicted) at grades 9 to 5 (or A to C), including Maths, English, Science, and two others
• To live within a 45-minute drive of your home TrainCare Centre
• Normal colour vision
• To be at least 15 years old when you apply and 16 years old by 01/09/2026. No maximum age
• You must not be in education after 01/09/2026
• If you already have any engineering qualifications, let us know the level, key modules, and grades in your application.
• Because this is a safety-critical role, the selection process includes a medical assessment covering general health, ECG, vision, hearing, colour vision, and drugs and alcohol testing.

Where this could take you

By the end of the programme, you’ll have a Level 3 qualification with the skills, confidence, and experience to step into a range of engineering roles at Northern. Many apprentices apply for Maintenance Engineer positions, while others find their platform in technical specialisms, leadership pathways, production environments, or safety-critical roles that help shape how our railway runs.

For most people, this is just the beginning. Our apprentices often choose to stay with Northern, to building long-term careers, opening doors across the business, and growing into roles that make a real difference to the future of rail in the North.

What’s in it for you?

At Northern, we don’t just value our people, we go the extra mile to support them. Here’s a taste of what you can look forward to:

• Free Travel: Unlimited free travel for you, your partner, and your dependents on Northern services. Plus up to 75% discount on other networks in the UK and Europe.
• Generous Pension Scheme: We top up your contributions by 1.5 times.
• Enhanced Family Benefits: 9 months of full pay for maternity leave and 2 weeks for paternity leave.
• Cycle to Work Scheme: Save up to 42% on a bike and spread the cost.
• Exclusive Discounts: From shopping to wellbeing, Northern Perks has you covered.
• Employee Assistance Programme: 24/7 support for family, lifestyle, and more.
• Training and Career Development: Tailored training, recognised qualifications, and clear career pathways across the business.
• Recognition: Our Northern Lights and Northern Sparks Awards celebrate great work every day.

Why Northern?

We’re more than just a train operator. We’re the heartbeat of the North – connecting communities, creating opportunities, and driving sustainable growth. With 2,500 trains running daily, we’re working to improve rail travel, enhance the customer experience, and reduce our environmental impact.

Rail has been shaping lives since 1825, and as we move towards the era of Great British Rail, there’s never been a more important time to be part of it. Your journey could start here.

A place for everyone

The best journeys happen when everyone feels welcome on board.

At Northern, we’re building a team where everyone feels they belong. Our talent team can make reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process if you need them. We’re also a Level 2 Disability Confident employer, so if you meet the minimum criteria, we’ll offer you an interview.

We automate parts of our screening process to help remove unconscious bias and make sure every application is treated fairly. All successful offers are subject to a DBS check and a medical assessment.

No matter your background, experience, or whether you call it a bap, barm, or cob… there’s a place for you here on the railway.