Apprentice - Rail Engineering Technician: Level 3 - Manchester 2026

Overview

Appointment Basis: Fixed Term

Location: Manchester, M12

Application Deadline: 30th January 2026

Salary: £18,000

At Alstom, we understand transport networks and what moves people. From high-speed trains, metros, monorails, and trams, to turnkey systems, services, infrastructure, signalling and digital mobility, we offer our diverse customers the broadest portfolio in the industry. Every day, 80,000 colleagues lead the way to greener and smarter mobility worldwide, connecting cities as we reduce carbon and replace cars.

Your future role

This is an opportunity to join a world-leading engineering company through a well-established 39 months (including End point Assessment) Apprenticeship Development Programme. You will work alongside experienced professionals and receive strong support, mentoring and coaching while developing against the Apprenticeship Standard. The programme includes placements across multiple departments to build a broad understanding of the business. Placements are planned to support your development and provide a varied, rewarding experience.

Our Manchester Longsight and Liverpool depots are well-established facilities that undertake maintenance for the Train Operators Avanti and Cross Country, including our iconic Pendolino Class 390 tilting trains. You will be working as part of a multifunctional team responsible for diagnosing and repairing faults along with undertaking daily service exams. Academic college studies will be combined with real life work-based experience across our organisation. Your qualification will be completed at Reaseheath College – Training will be delivered by block release. The remainder of the time is spent at work in the depot where you will have the opportunity to build and gather evidence of your competence whilst working towards a formal qualification.

There are 2 vacancies which can be located at either our Manchester or Liverpool site.

Key Responsibilities

• Operate at an appropriate level carrying out designated tasks within the team assigned.
• Participate in company initiatives, in particular to be engaged in Continuous Improvement activity targeted at all aspects of Alstom performance.
• Participate in STEM & other Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives.
• Conduct oneself at all times in a manner that reflects positively on Alstom.
• To comply with Alstom Procedures and the Code of Ethics.
• You will undertake a planned rotation within appropriate departments in order to gain the skills, and competence to complete the Standard requirements.
• Attend education both part time and on block release to achieve the Knowledge, Behaviours and Competencies as required by the apprenticeship.
• Carry out D.P.P duties.
• Become trained and competent in carrying out daily and safety exams.
• Assist with fuelling and system top up.
• Carry out general site duties e.g.: Line of Routes.
• Provide technical support to the site teams in the provision of primary fault finding/reporting.
• Provide basic maintenance competency e.g.: side skirt cleans, brake pads, block changes etc.
• Gritting of walkways in severe weather conditions and/or exceptional circumstances.
• Carry out site cleaning/general housekeeping.
• Be responsible for managing the 5 S standards across the depot.
• Driving company vehicles if certified.
• Carry out cleaning by exception.
• Learn and proficiently use relevant Alstom IT systems e.g. Alista, SAP and SES input and iForm.
• Crane driving and lifting equipment and training as required.
• Provide corrective maintenance (Electrical or Mechanical).
• Provide preventative maintenance (Electrical or Mechanical).
• Provide secondary fault finding.
• Positioning of fault data into shared drive facility.
• Carry out Testing & Re-commissioning activities in accordance with pre-written test and commissioning procedures.
• Assist in component change outs and failure reporting for central systems support and reliability growth teams.
• Investigate technical problems.
• Functionally test systems with minimal supervision using a variety of techniques and methods, including the use of computer-based diagnostics systems.
• Carry out all duties in accordance with the site quality and safety procedures.
• Assist in the testing and repair of equipment identified as faulty and removed from trains.
• Ensure work is performed in a safe and effective manner and in accordance with the Health & Safety at Work Act (1974), Electricity at Work Regulations (1989), Railway Group Standards, and relevant Alstom Procedures.
• Site or fleet specific requirements: to be Authorised person where required, Operator, Workshop repairs, Hotel standards tasks.

What you need to qualify for this job

You will need (or be predicted to have): - Minimum 5 GCSE’s of Grade 4 - 9 - This should include Math’s, English and a Science.

We value passion and attitude over experience. That’s why we don’t expect you to have every single skill. Instead, we’ve listed some that we think will help you succeed and grow in this role:

• Good mechanical/electrical ability combined with understanding the importance of precision and accuracy.
• Self-motivated and able to demonstrate commitment to achieving the apprenticeship standard.
• Be able to act as a member of a multi-disciplined team (with flexibility around team roles), and also able to work on your own initiative where required.

Join us on a life-long transformative journey – the rail industry is here to stay, so you can grow and develop new skills and experiences throughout your career.

You’ll also:

• Enjoy stability, challenges and a long-term career free from boring daily routines.
• Collaborate with transverse teams and helpful colleagues.
• Contribute to innovative projects.
• Steer your career in whatever direction you choose across functions and countries.
• Benefit from our investment in your development, through award-winning learning.
• Benefit from a fair and dynamic reward package that recognises your performance and potential, plus comprehensive and competitive social coverage (life, medical, pension).

You don’t need to be a train enthusiast to thrive with us. We guarantee that when you step onto one of our trains with your friends or family, you’ll be proud. If you’re up for the challenge, we’d love to hear from you!

As part of the application process, you will need to answer a series of mandatory questions; please allocate a few minutes in going through them and answering, as they are the first sift process. The recruitment process includes online tests, assessment centre, competency interview. You will be contacted via email if you are successful at each stage.

We wish you the best of luck for all the steps and look forward to getting to know you!

Equal opportunity statement: Alstom is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive working environment where all our employees are encouraged to reach their full potential, and individual differences are valued and respected. All qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by local law. As a 'Disability Confident' employer, we will interview all disabled job applicants who match the essential criteria of the job description or specification. We will consider flexible working requests for all roles unless operational requirements prevent otherwise.