You might find it useful to take an engineering qualification at college before looking for work as a trainee.

Courses include:

• engineering operations
• mechanical engineering
• maintenance engineering technology

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

You could apply to do a Rail Engineering Operative Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship, or Rail Engineering Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

You can find apprenticeships with companies like Network Rail and Transport for London.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

If you're over 18, you could look for rail track maintenance worker vacancies. You'll usually start as a trainee.

You'll find it useful to have:

• experience of manual work in a related role like construction or engineering
• GCSEs including English and maths

Further information

You can find out more about working in rail engineering from:

• Network Rail
• Routes into Rail
• Transport for London

You'll need:

• knowledge of engineering science and technology
• knowledge of building and construction
• the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
• the ability to work well with others
• excellent verbal communication skills
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• to be flexible and open to change
• problem-solving skills
• to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

As a rail track maintenance worker, you'll work in a safety critical environment around live wires and on train tracks. You'll have a medical as part of the selection process. This will include checks of your hearing and vision.

You might also need to:

• take regular drug and alcohol checks
• have a driving licence so you can drive rail company vehicles
• live no more than an hour away from the location you wish to work

As a rail track maintenance worker, you would:

• lay and repair railway tracks, sleepers and ballast
• inspect track condition and check for defects
• maintain tunnels, embankments, bridges and drainage
• clear obstacles after bad weather and report incidents
• follow strict safety rules

You could work on rail tracks.

Your working environment may be physically demanding and outdoors in all weathers.

You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.