Escalators Apprenticeship
Transport for London
London (SE1 8NJ)
Closes in 18 days (Saturday 28 February 2026)
Posted on 5 February 2026
Contents
Summary
The role of a London Underground engineering apprentice is critical to ensuring the ongoing performance and safety of our tube network. The technological advancements we are seeing in our trains and operating infrastructure mean that we need to adapt the way we maintain our assets to keep them operating at peak performance.
- Wage
-
£27,944 a year
- Training course
- Lift and escalator engineering (level 3)
- Hours
-
You must be 18 years old by 7th September 2026 to be eligible for this scheme due to health and safety requirements.
The apprenticeship scheme will involve working flexible hours to include early, late, night and weekend shifts, all shifts TBC.
35 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 7 September 2026
- Duration
-
3 years
- Positions available
-
5
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
Your 3-year development programme will be made up of up to numerous different placement rotations across the London Underground Network. Our aim is to equip you with the range of skills and experience you need for your successful career. We also understand that everyone’s career is different, so every apprentice’s journey is unique.
As a Lift & Escalator apprentice you will gain skills and experience across various areas on the London Underground network. You will learn to service, maintain, and repair all of our escalator or lift assets whilst the public sleep, as well as join the heavy refurbishment team and inspectors.
Your placement plan will be issued and managed by your Apprenticeship Development Manager where you will be assured the maximum exposure needed to attain your knowledge and competence
Where you'll work
Palestra House
197 Blackfriars Road
London
SE1 8NJ
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
LONDON UNDERGROUND LIMITED
Training course
Lift and escalator engineering (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Comply with health and safety regulations, standards and industry guidance, for example method statements and risk assessments.
- Comply with environmental and sustainability regulations and organisational procedures for example, segregate resources for reuse, recycling, and disposal.
- Use tools, alignment equipment and measuring devices, completing calibration checks where required.
- Lift and handle systems and components using mechanical or manual methods.
- Apply principle and techniques to access digital and analogue control and drive systems.
- Fault find and diagnose issues using electrical measuring equipment such as multi-meters and electronic diagnostic tools.
- Interpret and use engineering documentation such as electrical wiring diagrams, mechanical drawings, assembly drawings, construction drawings and general arrangement drawings.
- Identify, organise, and use resources to complete tasks, with consideration for cost, quality, safety, security, and environmental impact.
- Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
- Comply with information contained in site notices and instructions.
- Prepare, maintain and restore the work area on completion of the activity.
- Record and enter information - paper based or electronic. For example, job sheets, risk assessments, equipment maintenance records, test results, handover documents, on-site checklists, waste environmental records and any legal reporting requirements.
- Follow equity, diversity, and inclusion procedures.
- Apply team working principles.
- Apply continuous improvement techniques. Devise suggestions for improvement.
- Carry out and record planned and unplanned learning and development activities.
- Option 1. Apply the required procedures when working in a traction lift environment.
- Option 1. Apply techniques and principles of measuring and setting out lift equipment.
- Option 1. carry out installation of lift suspension systems.
- Option 1. Carry out installation of lift machines, overspeed protection devices and control systems.
- Option 1.Carry out installation of lift doors, entrances, and associated equipment.
- Option 1. Appy procedures to put the lift into service and confirm correct operation associated with lift systems.
- Option 1. Comply with procedures to access and egress to lift pit and top of car spaces.
- Option 1. Apply procedures to take the lift out of service in preparation for access.
- Option 2. Apply the required procedures when working in an escalator or moving walk environment.
- Option 2. Carry out installation of escalator and moving walk equipment for example truss, steps, pallets, handrail, chains, step band and safety sensors.
- Option 2. Apply techniques and principles of measuring and setting out escalator or moving walk equipment.
- Option 2. Appy procedures to put the escalator or moving walk into service and confirm correct operation associated with escalator or moving walk systems.
- Option 2. Apply procedures to take the escalator or moving walk out of service in preparation for access.
- Option 2. Comply with procedures to access and egress escalator or moving walks bottom return spaces.
- Option 3. Apply the required procedures when working in a traction lift environment.
- Option 3. Check lift positioning systems are working to specification.
- Option 3. Check, replace and setup lift door systems and clearances and check door closing protection.
- Option 3. Check lift travel requirements such as the correct set up of lift travel over-runs.
- Option 3. Inspect and verify the compliance of suspension systems. Determine when replacement is necessary.
- Option 3. Conduct planned and reactive lift maintenance.
- Option 3. Apply procedures to take the lift out of service in preparation for access.
- Option 3. Appy procedures to put the lift into service and confirm correct operation associated with lift systems.
- Option 3. Comply with procedures to access and egress lift pit and top of car spaces.
- Option 4. Apply the required procedures when working in an escalator or moving walk environment.
- Option 4. Carry out removal and replacement of escalator or moving walk parts for example steps, pallets, chains, handrails and adjust for optimal performance.
- Option 4. Check and set up safety systems for example comb plates, handrail entry devices, step sag switches, step and pallet sensors and handrail sensors, ensuring they operate to specification.
- Option 4. Check, adjust and repair tensioning systems for example handrail tension, main drive chain tension, step chain tension. Split, remove and replace chains.
- Option 4. Conduct planned and reactive escalator or moving walk maintenance.
- Option 4. Apply procedures to take the escalator or moving walk out of service in preparation for access.
- Option 4. Comply with procedures to access and egress escalator or moving walks bottom return spaces.
- Option 4. Appy procedures to put the escalator or moving walk into service and confirm correct operation associated with escalator or moving walk systems.
- Comply with health and safety regulations, standards and industry guidance, for example method statements and risk assessments.
- Comply with environmental and sustainability regulations and organisational procedures for example, segregate resources for reuse, recycling, and disposal.
- Use tools, alignment equipment and measuring devices, completing calibration checks where required.
- Lift and handle systems and components using mechanical or manual methods.
- Apply principle and techniques to access digital and analogue control and drive systems.
- Fault find and diagnose issues using electrical measuring equipment such as multi-meters and electronic diagnostic tools.
- Interpret and use engineering documentation such as electrical wiring diagrams, mechanical drawings, assembly drawings, construction drawings and general arrangement drawings.
- Identify, organise, and use resources to complete tasks, with consideration for cost, quality, safety, security, and environmental impact.
- Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
- Comply with information contained in site notices and instructions.
- Prepare, maintain and restore the work area on completion of the activity.
- Record and enter information - paper based or electronic. For example, job sheets, risk assessments, equipment maintenance records, test results, handover documents, on-site checklists, waste environmental records and any legal reporting requirements.
- Follow equity, diversity, and inclusion procedures.
- Apply team working principles.
- Apply continuous improvement techniques. Devise suggestions for improvement.
- Carry out and record planned and unplanned learning and development activities.
Training schedule
- Lift and escalator engineering Level 3
- Initially you will train and gain a level 2 college delivered PEO in fundamental Engineering skills
- You then be working towards a Level 3 NVQ Diploma qualification in Engineering Maintenance in a range of workplace placements
- Depending on your apprenticeship programme, there is also potential to obtain a University Delivered Level 4 knowledge certificate
More training information
- Whilst on the scheme, we’ll support your technical development through a wide range of on-the-job practical experiences and placements
- We’ll also support your professional development through a combination of classroom-led training courses, online training courses, mentoring opportunities, and structured networking opportunities
- You will receive one-to-one support throughout the programme from your Line Manager
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English or English Language (grade A*-C / Grade 4 or above)
- Maths (grade A*-C / Grade 4 or above)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Customer care skills
- Team working
- Adaptable
Other requirements
- The apprenticeship scheme will involve working flexible hours to include early, late, night and weekend shifts
- Due to the health and safety requirements of this role we are unable to employ apprentices under 18 on this scheme
About this employer
At TfL, our work goes beyond transport. We keep London moving – day in, day out. We’re about building stronger connections, and helping people do more of what they love. From sustainable futures to post-pandemic economic recovery, we’re constantly breaking new ground, and taking innovation to new heights. For our people, this is more than just a job. Our apprentices are pioneers, frontrunners, and mentors. And, with a culture built on support and flexibility that puts wellbeing first.
Company benefits
- Free travel on the TfL network for you and a nominee who lives in the same household
- Minimum 29 days annual leave plus public and bank holidays
- Retail, health, leisure and travel offers & many more
Disability Confident
A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.
You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.
After this apprenticeship
- Upon successful completion of this scheme, you could roll-off into the multi-skilled Fitter 2 role which could lead to further career development opportunities such as Fitter 1, Team Leader and Area Manager
- You’ll also have opportunities to complete additional training courses. These will vary from soft skills training to technical skills training
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
LONDON UNDERGROUND LIMITED
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000010158.
Apply now
Closes in 18 days (Saturday 28 February 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.