London Underground Power - Level 4
Fun Fact
In the heart of Greenwich, London Underground operates a power station! Fuelled by the energy of seven gas turbine-driven alternators. Its main mission? To swiftly re-energize the London Underground network in the face of a significant national grid failure, ensuring a safe evacuation for passengers stuck in tunnels. This is not just a power station; it's a lifeline, ready to spark into action and illuminate the way to safety.
Apprenticeship Standard: Railway Engineering Technician Level 4
How long: 4 years
Tentative start date: September 2024
Where: Across London
Salary: £23,404
What you'll need
- A minimum of 2 GCSEs Grade A*-C or Grade 4 and above, including Maths and English Language, plus 2 A-Levels, at grade A*-D or equivalents
- You must be 18 years old before the start of this scheme
You are not eligible for this scheme if you currently hold or are working towards a qualification at the same or higher level in a related subject or have already studied content from the qualification for this scheme.
Applicants holding the following will not be eligible to apply:
- Level 4 Apprenticeship in Engineering or Level 4 NVQ Certificate or Diploma in any Engineering discipline
- Level 4 Knowledge qualification in Rail Engineering
Job overview
London Underground's trains and infrastructure are powered by electricity drawn from the National Grid at several Bulk Supply Points across the capital. This power is manipulated and distributed by the London Underground Power & Electrical Department through approximately 300 substations spread across 250 miles of track. In addition, electricity is distributed to and around over 1600 individual premises, including 270 London Underground stations and over 20 depot locations.
Power assets are extensive, expensive, and highly technical and must be in top condition for the Underground to run smoothly and adhere to the schedule every day and night. The electrical infrastructure and services are diverse, including over 100,000 light fittings, tens of thousands of critical and general power supplies, 500+ UPS units, and various other specialist electrical asset groups.
What you'll be doing
During your apprenticeship, you will undergo a four-year development program consisting of placements across the Power departments. Our goal is to provide you with a diverse set of skills and experiences essential for a successful career. Recognising that each person's career path is distinct, we tailor every apprentice's journey to be unique. Here's a glimpse of what your individual trajectory might entail:
Year 1: Familiarising yourself with London Underground and the Engineering field, learning fundamental engineering principles at College in Enfield and undertaking comprehensive training including track and substation safety protocols.
Year 2 and Year 3: Gaining practical insights from seasoned Power engineers across various specialities, rotating across our maintenance and breakdown sections and developing well-rounded understanding of our operations as well as continuing your level 4 studies at college. You will also undertake in-house training including running a substation, continual improvement and further technical training on our specialised assets
Year 4: You will continue rotating through various section with a greater focus on specialised areas, honing your competencies through diverse methods. You will also complete knowledge assessments on your qualification and present your finest work to an external engineering institute, obtaining the final endorsement that declares you as a proficient rolling stock engineer. This endorsement, coupled with the completion of your qualifications, will signify that you are ready to undertake a job interview leading to a position as a Plant Fitter or HV Cables Fitter.
Where this career can take you
This apprenticeship marks the beginning of your career journey, opening a world of limitless roles and opportunities. Upon completion, you'll roll off as a Plant Fitter or High Voltage cables Fitter, contributing to the efficient functioning of substations and stations. Depending on your skills and enthusiasm, you may choose to progress into more technical or specialist roles or explore opportunities in management. The pathway ahead is dynamic and filled with possibilities for your continued growth and success. You'll also have opportunities to complete additional training courses. These will vary from soft skills training, safety training to technical skills training.
At the end of the apprenticeship, you will be at an Engineering Technician professional standard while there is no requirement this can be built upon to achieve Engineering Chartership status in the future.