Rail Engineering


Due to a high demand in the rail sector, we’re working with employers  across the industry to recruit and train new team members, giving people the opportunity to start an exciting new career.

You will work towards completing two qualifications:

  • City & Guilds NVQ Level 2 in Rail Engineering (Track Maintenance & Repair)
  • City & Guilds Level 2 Certificate in Rail Engineering (Underpinning Knowledge)

The course will also provide you with:

  • Industry relevant skills
  • Manual Handling training
  • Emergency First Aid
  • Fire Safety awareness
  • 5 day Track induction Course
  • Personal Track Safety Card (PTS)
  • OLEC 1 – Overhead Lines Electrification Construction
  • Rail Competencies including Rail Saw, Robel Tamper, Impact Wrench and Iron Man
  • DE vegetation competencies (Strimmer, Brush cutter and hedge cutter)
  • CSCS Construction Skills Certification Scheme (multi skilled operative blue card)

If you’d like more details about this course please call Derrin Atkins on 0191 4902349.

Assessment

Assessment for the City & Guilds Rail Engineering qualification is designed to demonstrate both theoretical understanding and practical competence. It includes a combination of portfolio-based evidence and direct observation of practical tasks. This holistic approach ensures learners demonstrate both knowledge and real-world skills required in the rail industry, aligned with industry standards.

Our rail engineering tutors bring over 15 years of hands-on experience working with Network Rail, and they continue to work every weekend on live rail projects to maintain their industry competencies.

Their up-to-date knowledge and extensive practical expertise ensure that you’re learning from professionals who truly understand the demands of the rail sector.

With their guidance, you’ll gain the skills, insight, and confidence needed to become job-ready and succeed in a real-world rail engineering environment.

As part of this course, you’ll have get sponsored by a Rail company and upon successful completion, you’ll be offered a paid work trial to put your skills into action.

Many of our past learners have gone on to build successful careers with leading industry employers This is your chance to gain real experience, get your foot in the door, and start a rewarding career in rail engineering.

Full set of PPE is supplied free of charge to each student and practical sessions are completed at Bowes Railway Museum.

Classroom sessions are held at a variety of community venues around the North East.

Students must be 19+ as of 31st of August 2025 and be either unemployed and claiming benefits, or working and earning below £30,000.

English and maths at entry 3 or above would be desirable to be able to complete the course.

This course is free (fully funded) for independent learners (those not taking the course through their employer).

To be eligible, you must:

  • Be aged 19 or older
  • Live in the North East Combined Authority area (Gateshead, Sunderland, South Tyneside, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland or County Durham)
  • Have the right to work in the UK and meets residency requirements

Employers using bootcamps to upskill their workforce will be required to pay a contribution (10% for SME and 30% for large Employers).

Next course start dates will be:

Monday 15th June at Blyth Community Enterprise Centre, NE24 3AG.

Monday 29th June at Ocean Road Community Centre, NE33 2DW.

WHAT CAN I DO WITH A QUALIFICATION IN RAIL ENGINEERING?

  • Rail and Rolling Stock Builders and Repairers
  • Rail Construction and Maintenance Operatives

Knowledge

Mechanical: Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Building and Construction: Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.

Administration and Management: Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modelling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Education and Training: Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Median Salary
£57,169

Average Qualifications
Level 3 NVQ; A Levels

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Knowledge

Mechanical: Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.

Building and Construction: Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in the construction or repair of houses, buildings, or other structures such as highways and roads.

Transportation: Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits.

Education and Training: Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

Public Safety and Security: Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Median Salary
£45,195

Average Qualifications
Level 2 NVQ; GCSE at grades A*-C

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Skills

Learning Strategies
Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Mathematics
Using mathematics to solve problems.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Science
Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Skills

Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Learning Strategies
Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Mathematics
Using mathematics to solve problems.
Science
Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
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