EMR begins apprentice engineer recruitment drive

East Midlands Railway is seeking new apprentice fleet engineers as part of a new recruitment drive.

The initiative is taking place as part of National Apprenticeships Week, which is 7-13 February.

They hope to hear from candidates from all backgrounds as they look to add to the teams based at its depots in Nottingham and Derby.

EMR, which says it values diversity and is committed to ensuring equality across its organisation, is particularly encouraging women, younger people and ethnic minority groups to apply for the roles.

Applicants must be at least 16 on 1 September 2022. Successful applicants will join a programme that blends theory and practical work in the classroom with practical skills development.

The appointed engineering apprentices will help more than 250 maintenance staff to look after a fleet of over 100 trains that operate on services to London and across the East Midlands. 

During the four-year apprenticeship, their time is split between college and working at one of EMR’S train depots.

Mason Johnson, in the video below, completed his apprenticeship with EMR in 2021.

Kate Holden, HR director for EMR, said: “Our fleet engineer apprentices are our future talent. They bring diversity of experience and thought, new ideas and a fresh approach that helps to drive our business forward.

“We offer a four-year programme designed to give practical on the job training. The work involves time in our fleet engineering depots, and the classroom helping to give them all the underpinning knowledge they need to be successful in their apprenticeship.

“We are committed to providing top-class programmes that will equip them with the knowledge, skills and behaviours they need to reach their full potential.

“One of our major challenges is encouraging a more diverse workforce. We’ve been working to increase the number of females applying for our fleet engineer roles by tackling any unconscious bias through blind screening.”

The closing date for applicants is Sunday 20 February.

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