Alstom supports new approach to rail engineering apprenticeships

International engineering company Alstom has today welcomed the publication of new apprenticeship standards by the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills.

Alstom was one of the companies working with government to develop a set of employer-led apprenticeship standards for the rail sector which focus on a new approach to dedicated Rail Engineering Apprenticeships at Level 2 and 3.

The new standards mean that the apprentices must now have a core underlying knowledge and understanding of the various disciplines that underpin the rail sector. So the apprentice will learn about electrification, track, overhead lines, signalling, telecoms, traction and rolling stock before developing a specialism as the apprenticeship continues.

Terence Watson, UK Country President for Alstom, said: Were involved in some of the largest projects in Europe and making sure that we have the right people with the right skills in place for years to come is one of our greatest challenges. Thats why I welcome todays announcement which can only be good for Alstom and good for the industry as a whole.

Skills Minister Nick Boles said: Apprenticeships are a real success story. Through giving leading employers such as Alstom the power to design and deliver high quality apprenticeships we can give young people the skills our economy vitally needs. I congratulate Alstom and members of the Rail Engineering Trailblazer on their involvement in designing the new apprenticeships for Rail Engineering Operative and Rail Engineering Technician, which we have published today.

The new standard is expected to roll out in the 2016 academic year.

Alstom, which has 30 sites and a 6,000-strong workforce in the UK, is currently looking for 15 apprentices and 10 graduates for its Transport activities.

To take a closer look at what Alstoms apprentice programme has to offer, together with the educational requirements for the schemes, go to http://www.alstom.com/countries/uk/careers/.

About Alstom UK
In the UK, Alstom is active in the rail, power and electricity transmission sectors, operates from 30 sites and employs more than 6,000 people across the country. Around a third of all rail journeys in the UK are made on Alstom rolling stock, our generating kit powers half of the UKs power stations, we are testing new tidal turbine technology in waters off Orkney, and we operate the only large-scale transformer manufacturing facility in the UK. Our sites in Stafford and Rugby have been at the forefront of engineering developments since the 19th-century and continue to produce cutting edge technology for projects across the world.

Press contact
Jonathan Smith, Head of Media Relations, Alstom Ltd Tel +44 (0)1788 545602 or +44 (0)7801 775650 or jonathan.smith@alstom.com

Website www.alstom.com; www.alstom.com/uk