New approach to railway apprenticeships

The government has announced a new set of standards for rail engineering apprenticeships.

Apprentices will now be required to have a broader understanding of disciplines such as electrification, signalling and rolling stock, before developing their own specialist area.

The new standards were put together by members of the Rail Engineering Trailblazer and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. Their aim is to give young people fundamental skills that they can apply to the railway industry for years to come.

The new standards are expected to be rolled out in the 2016 academic year.