Apprentice Rail Engineering Technician (Level 3)
WEST MIDLANDS TRAINS LIMITED
Birmingham (B11 2HJ)
Closes in 27 days (Wednesday 11 March 2026)
Posted on 11 February 2026
Contents
Summary
Are you inquisitive, creative and a collaborative worker? Do you believe there is no box for you to think outside of? Are you a tenacious and resilient individual who has an innovative approach to solving problems? If you said yes to these questions, you may be an ideal candidate for the West Midlands Trains Engineering Apprenticeship scheme.
- Wage
-
£21,348 a year
- Training course
- Rail engineering technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Working week - 37hrs.
Monday - Friday, 8:45am - 5:00pm.
First year will be at James Watt College.
37 hours a week
- Start date
-
Monday 7 September 2026
- Duration
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4 years
- Positions available
-
4
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
As part of the Transport UK Group, West Midlands Trains delivers around 1,300 train journeys a day, for more than 60 million passengers a year, across two brands - West Midlands Railway and London Northwestern Railway.
As one of the Apprentice Engineers, you’ll be responsible for:
- Servicing mechanical and electrical systems on our trains
- Repairing, overhauling, and modifying our trains
- Inspecting bodywork and under-carriages for wear and tear
- Writing reports and maintenance records
- This work will range from carrying out routine maintenance/servicing to repairing and fault finding on complex electrical and mechanical components used in the modern rail industry today
This is a fantastic time to join our business and begin an exciting, rewarding and creative career.
Do you need any more convincing why an Engineering Apprenticeship with West Midlands Trains could be for you?
- We are investing over £700 million in new and refurbished trains making journey quicker and more comfortable for our customers
- Investing £70 million into our train maintenance facilities
- We already run an industry-leading and hugely successful engineering trailblazer apprenticeship scheme in partnership Birmingham Metropolitan College (BMet)
- Investing an extra £13 million on staff training
Alongside your practical and educational training, there are plenty of other activities you can get involved in. Our trailblazing apprentices have spoken to audiences of local and national politicians, members of Parliament and have also appeared on national television!
Join us and not only will you become part of a renowned group of professionals, but you will also gain specialist and transferable skills, as well as a wide variety of career progression opportunities in our business.
Where you'll work
Tyseley Diesel Depot
Warwick Road
Tyseley
Birmingham
B11 2HJ
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
BIRMINGHAM METROPOLITAN COLLEGE
Training course
Rail engineering technician (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
Training schedule
As a West Midlands Trains Engineering Apprentice, you will undertake a full-time mix of classroom and vocational training and gain experience which will lead to you gaining a competence-based rail qualification and a knowledge-based rail qualification (i.e., Technical Certificate).
- Level 3 Rail Engineering (Competence)
- Level 3 Rail Engineering (Technical Knowledge)
More training information
Initially, you will spend some time with us at Tyseley Depot as part of your company induction prior to starting at the college, full time in the first year but being a weekly day release in years 2 to 4. This will be based at BMET’s James Watt Campus (Aldridge Road, Great Barr, B44 8NE).
As a WM Trains Limited Engineering Technician Apprentice, you will undertake a full-time mix of classroom and vocational training and gain experience which will lead to you gaining a competence-based rail qualification and a knowledge-based rail qualification (i.e. Technical Certificate).
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade Grade C/4 or above)
- Maths (grade Grade C/4 or above)
- Science (grade Grade C/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
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Number skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Initiative
- Physical fitness
- Polite
- Friendly
Other requirements
All successful new entrants will be required to undergo a full medical assessment including a drug and alcohol screening.
You may be required to work at West Midlands trains' other locations on occasion:
- Soho Depot, Vittoria Street, Winson Green, Birmingham, B66 2NJ
- Birmingham Outstations Depot, New Street, Birmingham, B2 4ND
About this employer
London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway operate rail services across the Midlands, the Northwest and London, with Birmingham at the heart of our network.
West Midlands Railway provides most of the local services across the region, offering direct connections to towns and cities including Redditch, Stratford‑upon‑Avon, Worcester, Hereford, Shrewsbury, Telford and Northampton. Our London Northwestern Railway brand serves the route between London and Liverpool via key locations such as Crewe, Birmingham, Milton Keynes and Northampton.
On 1st February 2026, London Northwestern Railway and West Midlands Railway entered public ownership and both services are now part of WM Trains Limited operated by DFTO. Our mission remains unchanged: to provide a safe, comfortable and reliable service for passengers across 235 miles of track and 150 stations, from London to Liverpool and Hereford to Lichfield.
We expect over 80 million journeys to be made this year, that’s more than 1,252 services every day, and we remain committed to delivering the rail experience our passengers expect.
https://www.wmtrains.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
Defined benefit pension from day 1, free travel on our network, 75% off other trains, 8 day passes, 24/7 GP, EAP support, cycle scheme, and retail discounts.
After this apprenticeship
There will be avenues for progression, once you are fully qualified to roles such as Team Leader or Manager.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
BIRMINGHAM METROPOLITAN COLLEGE
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000014868.
Apply now
Closes in 27 days (Wednesday 11 March 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.