Apprenticeship schemeNetwork Rail

Network Rail Level 3 Rail Engineering Technician Apprenticeship (England and Wales)

Network Rail's three-year Level 3 Rail Engineering Technician Apprenticeship places you in a depot working on the railway, specialising in track, signalling, telecommunications, overhead lines, locking fitter, or distribution and plant. You finish with two Level 3 Diplomas in Railway Engineering Technician Knowledge and Competence. Applications for 2026 have closed and you can register interest for 2027.

By the Born to Engineer editorial team Checked 24 Oct 2026

At a glance

Run by: Network Rail^[1]
Who it’s for: Candidates must be 18 years old to join. Grades 9-4 in GCSE English, Science and at least one other subject, and grade 9-5 in GCSE Maths, or equivalent.^[2]^[3]
Entry: Students apply themselves
Worth: A paid three-year apprenticeship (salary listed as £22,293) leading to two Level 3 Diplomas in Railway Engineering Technician Knowledge and Competence, with support if you later go to university.^[4]
Cost: Not stated
Year groups: Year 13
Where: England, Wales (Depots across England and Wales)
Format: In person

Sources

5 sources

Network Rail
Level 3 Rail Engineering Technician Apprenticeship (England & Wales) – Network Rail’s Early Careers
Start an exciting career with our 3-year Rail Engineering Technician Apprenticeship
Checked 24 October 2026
Network Rail
Level 3 Rail Engineering Technician Apprenticeship (England & Wales) – Network Rail’s Early Careers
we require all candidates to be 18 years old
Checked 24 October 2026
Network Rail
Level 3 Rail Engineering Technician Apprenticeship (England & Wales) – Network Rail’s Early Careers
You’ll need grades 9-4 in GCSE English, Science, and at least one other subject, and grade 9-5 in GCSE Maths, or equivalent.
Checked 24 October 2026
Network Rail
Level 3 Rail Engineering Technician Apprenticeship (England & Wales) – Network Rail’s Early Careers
you’ll have two Level 3 Diplomas in Railway Engineering Technician Knowledge & Competence
Checked 24 October 2026
Network Rail
Level 3 Rail Engineering Technician Apprenticeship (England & Wales) – Network Rail’s Early Careers
Applications for our 2026 Apprenticeships have now closed. You can register your interest to be notified when applications open for this programme in 2027.
Checked 24 October 2026

Details checked 24 October 2026 by the Born to Engineer editorial team. Always confirm dates on the provider’s site before applying.

Not open yet

2026 applications closed; applications expected to open in 2027 (no date published)^[5]

Visit earlycareers.networkrail.co.uk (opens in a new tab)

More apprenticeship scheme opportunities

All opportunities

Ferguson Marine Apprenticeship 2027 intake (Port Glasgow)

Closes in 13 days

Apprenticeship schemeFerguson Marine

Twelve paid apprenticeships at the Port Glasgow shipyard, starting January 2027, studying towards a nationally recognised qualification through West College Scotland. Roles listed are welders and fabricators. No previous shipbuilding experience is needed.

Worth: A paid apprenticeship with a nationally recognised qualification through West College Scotland.
Who: Applicants aged 16 to 24 with, or expecting by January 2027, National 4 Maths at B, and National 5 English and a Science or Technical subject at B.
Entry: Students apply themselves
Deadline: 6 November 2026Applications opened 2 October 2026 and close on Friday 6 November 2026.

Visit fergusonmarine.com (opens in a new tab)Details: Ferguson Marine Apprenticeship 2027 intake (Port Glasgow)

AWE apprenticeships (Level 3 to Level 6, nuclear defence)

Open now

Apprenticeship schemeAWE

AWE offers apprenticeships from Level 3 (Advanced) to Level 6 (Degree) supporting the UK's nuclear defence and security mission, including five engineering pathways at Level 3. Apprentices earn a salary from day one while studying for industry-recognised qualifications. Applications are currently open, and all offers go through UK security clearance.

Worth: A paid apprenticeship with hands-on experience in advanced nuclear defence facilities, mentoring and industry-recognised qualifications with no student debt.
Who: Must be a British citizen. Qualifications vary by apprenticeship level and programme; apply for one apprenticeship only.
Entry: Students apply themselves
When: Applications currently open (no closing date published on AWE's site)

Visit awe.co.uk (opens in a new tab)Details: AWE apprenticeships (Level 3 to Level 6, nuclear defence)

Engineering Foundation Apprenticeship (Scotland, S5 and S6)

Open now

Apprenticeship schemeSkills Development Scotland (Apprenticeships.scot)

The Engineering Foundation Apprenticeship lets Scottish pupils study alongside their school subjects while working on projects with an employer and a learning provider such as a college. It takes 1 or 2 years starting in S5 or S6, with a work placement of about one day a week, and gives an SCQF Level 6 qualification equal to an SQA Higher. Pupils use the search tool on the site to check availability at their school and register interest.

Worth: An industry-recognised qualification at SCQF Level 6 (the same level as an SQA Higher), made up of a National Certificate in an engineering discipline, core units of an SVQ in Performing Engineering Operations at SCQF Level 5 and work placement experience or an industry challenge.
Who: Pupils staying on at school, starting in S5 or S6. Availability depends on your school.
Entry: Students or a school can enter
When: Register interest through your school; no fixed deadline published

Visit apprenticeships.scot (opens in a new tab)Details: Engineering Foundation Apprenticeship (Scotland, S5 and S6)