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  • Electrical engineering conversion programme

    Non-railway electrical engineers can make the transition to the rail industry through our specialised conversion programme

  • Our mission is to revitalise Britain’s railway infrastructure, we value the knowledge engineers from a non-railway background bring to our business. This is why we have invested heavily in a conversion engineering programme to enable you to make a successful, professionally rewarding and seamless transition to our industry. This year we are collaborating with our industry partners and have vacancies at both Network Rail and at our partner organisations.

    Discover the kind of engineering that works for you
    What kind of engineers are we after
    The programme
    Salary, benefits & location
    Long-term career prospects
    How do I apply? 

    Discover the kind of engineering that works for you

    Electrical, mechanical, systems, or electronics, your passion is engineering. It’s got you where you are today: an HND or Degree qualified engineer who is used to applying engineering principles every day. With work based engineering experience, you are credible, commercially astute, decisive and articulate.

    Isn’t it time you teamed-up with people who are as passionate about engineering as you are? Time you fully used – and enhanced – the skills you have? Time you worked on some of the biggest projects in engineering today, carrying out work of vital national importance?

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    What kind of engineers are we after?

    Railway engineering may or may not be an option you have considered before. But many engineers have made the switch from backgrounds as diverse as the Armed Forces, mining, nuclear fuels and construction. You will become an electrification engineer and will combine time in your job with time studying for a Post Graduate Diploma over the first nine months.

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    The programme

    The nine month programme will equip you with a solid bank of railway-specific electrical engineering experience, as well as leading to a highly regarded industry qualification.

    Throughout the programme, you will spend periods of time receiving classroom-based tuition at both Sheffield Hallam University and our residential training centre in Coventry, with periods on site in your job. This blended learning will give you the opportunity to put your new found skills into practice.

    Your on-site training will see you tackling basic tasks and then developing into more advanced technical railway engineering as you progress through the programme. This will mean liaising with people at all levels in the organisation, as well as those who will become your colleagues in your final post.

    The programme will culminate in the achievement of a Postgraduate Diploma in Railway Infrastructure Engineering awarded by Sheffield Hallam University. Be warned, though: academic study while learning technical skills is never easy and completing the programme will demand considerable commitment on your part.

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    Salary, benefits and locations

    When you join the programme, you will receive a salary between £24,000 and £34,000 dependant on your experience and position you are allocated to. You will also receive a contributory pension, generous annual leave and participate in the general bonus scheme.

    From day one of the course, you will be assigned to an office or engineering depot as chosen on your application. The majority of your work placements will be held here and this will be where you will work when you finish the course.

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    Long-term career prospects

    You will be employed in either our Infrastructure Projects team at Network Rail or one of our partner organisations. There will be exciting opportunities and fantastic management support through the course, whichever company you choose.

    You will have exceptional scope for career progression as we work together to transform Britain’s railway. After you finish the conversion programme, we will continue to give you professional support and development to further your experience and knowledge base.

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    How do I apply?

    We are now recruiting for the October 2013 intake, and have vacancies at locations in Central London, Swindon, Birmingham, Rugby, Manchester, Crewe and Glasgow.

    Please click here to apply.

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  • Electrification and plant engineering 

    "Before I joined the engineering conversion programme, I had a telecommunications system engineering degree and 25 years’ experience as a communications engineer in HM Forces. The conversion course provides an excellent opportunity to apply existing skills to an alternative industry as well as learning from other engineers.

    I’m currently employed as an Assistant Design Engineer in York and work on a diverse range of electrification schemes. The conversion course has enabled me to meet many new colleagues from a wide range of industries who are all embarking on a new career. Every day is both challenging and rewarding.”  

    Dave Cook

    "I have spent 18 years working within the Rail, Power Distribution, Nuclear and Water Industries as a Project and a Systems Engineer. I began the conversion course in 2011 and it provided an opportunity to gain specific technical knowledge, an insight into the internal processes and useful contacts within the company.

    I am now a Project Engineer based in Rugby. Due to my varied work experience, I am involved in several disciplines such as SCADA and Telecoms, LV supply and installation, AC and DC traction. This has its challenges, but that is what I thrive on and as a result I have never been happier in a job"     

    Mark Withington