FAQs
Answers to the most frequently asked questions about the railway
If you have a question that is not answered below please click here.
General questions
I applied to Network Rail some time ago. Can you update me on the progress of my application?
How do I apply for a job at Network Rail?
Can I send my CV to Network Rail so that you can consider me for future job vacancies?
Where are your jobs based? Would I be expected to move about the country?
Would you consider someone who requires a work permit for a job?
Do I need to get a Personal Track Safety Certificate (PTS) before I apply to Network Rail?
Do I get travel as part of my package?
Specific jobs
I want to be an engineer at Network Rail
I want to be a signaller at Network Rail
I want work in maintenance at Network Rail
I want work as a welder on the tracks for Network Rail
I want to be a security guard at Network Rail
I want to be a train driver at Network Rail
I want to be a brick layer/ electrician/ carpenter with Network Rail
Do you have an apprenticeship scheme?
Do you have a graduate scheme?
Do you have a summer placement scheme?
Training & Development
Does Network Rail provide training & development to its employees?
I have applied for Railway Engineering at Sheffield Hallam. Can you update me on the progress of my application?
Will Network Rail sponsor me on my training course/degree?
Does Network Rail run any training courses that members of the public can attend?
General Questions
I applied to Network Rail some time ago. Can you update me on the progress of my application?
When we have news, we will contact you to let you know about the status of your application. If you are selected for interview, we will arrange a time & place for us to meet. If you are not selected for interview, we will send you a letter telling you this. If the job is put on hold or is withdrawn, we will write to you to explain the change in circumstances.
How do I apply for a job at Network Rail?
Please apply for the role you are interested via the job vacancies section of this website. Depending on the job, you will be asked to either complete an application or submit a CV. The directions on how to apply for a specific position will be included in the job advertisement.
Can I send my CV to Network Rail so that you can consider me for future job vacancies?
No thank you. We do not accept speculative CVs.
All jobs open to members of the general public can be found on in the job vacancies on our web site. You will have to apply for a specific role, in a specific location in order to be considered for the job.
If you want to receive information about new jobs as they become available, please register with our job alerts service. You will then receive regular emails listing the vacancies that meet your requirements. Alternatively, you could add our job vacancies page to your favourites list in your web browser.
Where are your jobs based? Would I be expected to move about the country?
We have vacancies nationwide. We do try to give people their first choice of location when we offer them a job but cannot guarantee to do so.
Would you consider someone who requires a work permit for a job?
We consider each application on its own merit. If a candidate matches our recruitment needs, then we will consider supporting their application for a work permit.
Do I need to get a Personal Track Safety Certificate (PTS) before I apply to Network Rail?
No. We provide our employees with the training that they need to do their jobs.
Do I get travel as part of my package?
Yes. Network Rail employees receive a 40% discount on season tickets and an interest-free loan to buy the ticket.
Specific jobs
I want to be an engineer at Network Rail
Network Rail is one of the biggest employers of engineers in the country and we invest heavily in the training and development of our engineers.
To find out about engineering jobs at Network Rail, please look at the engineering jobs in our job vacancies or sign up for a job alert.
We also run a number of schemes for engineers:
- Engineering Conversion Programme – for experienced engineers outside the railway industry who want to convert to railway engineering
- Graduate scheme – for engineering graduates who have a minimum of a 2:2 & finished their degree (we also run graduate schemes for commercial property, finance & other graduates)
- Railway Engineering (full time) – for people who have some technical qualifications and want a career in the railway
- Railway Engineering (part time) – for current railway employees who want to develop their career in railway engineering
- Advanced Apprenticeship Programme – for men and women age 17 and over with four GSCE’s or equivalent who want to become Maintenance Engineering Technician.
I want to be a signaller at Network Rail
Please have a look at the signalling jobs in our job vacancies or sign up for a job alert.
I want work in maintenance at Network Rail
Please have a look at the maintenance jobs in our job vacancies or sign up for a job alert.
I want work as a welder on the tracks for Network Rail
We recruit track welders to carry out welding maintenance and repairs of crossing switches and rails. Please have a look at the maintenance jobs in our job vacancies or sign up for a job alert.
I want to be a security guard at Network Rail
We do employ security guards in the key stations that are run by Network Rail. Any vacancies for security guards at our stations will be advertised in our job vacancies. Alternatively, you can sign up for a job alert.
Our head office is a managed building and the buildnig staff do not work for Network Rail.
I want to be a train driver at Network Rail
Network Rail does not run any trains. We own, operate and maintain the rail infrastructure – the tracks, signalling system, rail bridges, tunnels, level crossings, viaducts & 18 key stations.
The trains are run by the train operating companies and you will need to contact them to find out how to become a train driver.
I want to be a brick layer/ electrician/ carpenter with Network Rail
We do not employ these types of tradesmen directly, rather that work is contracted out to other companies. However, w e do have roles which may be of interest to you within our Maintenance division. Please have a look at the maintenance jobs in our job vacancies or sign up for a job alert.
Do you have an apprenticeship scheme?
Yes. Our Advanced Apprenticeship Scheme is for men and women aged 17 and over with four GCSE’s or equivalent who want to become Maintenance Engineering Technicians.
For more information, including details about how to apply, please have a look at the Advanced Apprenticeship Scheme page on this website.
Do you have a graduate scheme?
Yes. Every year, we recruit 80 recent graduates who have a minimum of a 2:2 degree in civil engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, commercial property, finance and other subjects.
For more information, including details about how to apply, please have a look at the Graduate Scheme page on this website.
Do you have a summer placement scheme?
Yes. Click here for more details.
Training & Development
Does Network Rail provide training & development to its employees?
Yes. We provide our employees with the training & development that they need to do their job.
For more information, please have a look at the training & development part of this website.
I have applied for Railway Engineering at Sheffield Hallam. Can you update me on the progress of my application?
Applications for the Railway Engineering courses are made through UCAS (Universities & Colleges Admissions Services which is the central organisation that processes applications for full-time undergraduate courses at UK universities and colleges).
To check the progress of your application, please telephone UCAS on 0114 225 5555.
Will Network Rail sponsor me on my training course/degree?
In general, we only sponsor Network Rail employees for training courses which relate directly to the role which they do.
However, we do run four schemes for engineers and managers – please take a look at the Our Schemes page on this website for more information.
Does Network Rail run any training courses that members of the public can attend?
We do not operate training centres for people who are not currently employed by Network Rail.