Rail Engineering Apprentice (Chester)

ABOUT CAF

Innovation is in our DNA - we thrive on pushing boundaries and adapting to new challenges with a flexible approach. Proud to be a global leader, our fast-paced growth provides exciting opportunities for our team and the community. Committed to maintaining trains and trams, our mission is to enhance vehicle safety and reliability. Our ultimate goal is to deliver a comfortable, dependable, and sustainable commuting experience for all passengers. Based out of multiple locations across the UK, our 24/7 operation means we’re always on hand to deliver reliable technical support. Utilising the latest digital technology, we strive to enhance dependability, helping people to get to where they need to be! We wouldn’t be where we are without our people. Working together as a team, we strive to achieve great things while supporting each other to thrive along the way. We’re going places, so apply today and become part of our exciting journey.

What can you expect from CAF

• Positive Work Environment: You will work in a positive environment, based on mutual respect and team spirit.
• Professional Development: Our projects are often measured in years, sometimes decades, giving you and the organisation a future.
• Learning and Autonomy: We will encourage you to work autonomously, being able to propose and decide 'what' and 'how'.
• Security and Reliability: CAF has been working for over 100 years on a path that stretches into the future, giving you the security you need.
• Cutting‑edge technology: You will work with the latest technologies, facing the challenge of devising innovative approaches and solutions every day.

What will be your role in the company?

As a Rail Engineering Apprentice, you will join our engineering teams responsible for maintaining and repairing trains to ensure they operate safely and reliably. You’ll combine hands‑on practical experience with structured learning, developing the core skills needed for a successful career in rail engineering. Working alongside experienced engineers at your home depot, you’ll learn how to inspect, maintain, fault‑find, and repair rolling stock. You’ll gain exposure to both mechanical and electrical systems, follow strict safety procedures, and use industry‑standard tools and processes. This is a great opportunity to earn while you learn, gain a nationally recognised qualification, and build strong foundations for a long‑term career within CAF.

The Apprenticeship Programme (Years 1–3)

This is a three‑year apprenticeship combining structured learning with hands‑on rail engineering experience. In Year 1, you’ll spend term time living and studying at Myerscough College in Preston, building core engineering knowledge, while also gaining practical experience at your home depot. In Years 2 and 3, you’ll be fully embedded within your depot engineering team, gaining hands‑on experience maintaining and repairing rolling stock while completing your portfolio towards a Level 3 Rail Engineering Technician qualification.

What will make you successful in this position?

You don’t need previous rail experience — we’re looking for the right attitude and a genuine interest in engineering. You’ll be successful if you:

• Have an interest in engineering and how things work
• Enjoy practical, hands‑on tasks and problem‑solving
• Are keen to learn, ask questions, and develop new skills
• Can work well as part of a team and communicate clearly
• Take a safety‑first approach and follow rules and procedures
• Are reliable, motivated, and committed to completing the apprenticeship

Entry requirements

• A minimum of 5 GCSEs (achieved or predicted) at grades 9–5 (A–C), including Maths, English, Science, plus two additional subjects
• To live within a reasonable commuting distance of your home depot
• Normal colour vision
• To be at least 16 years old by the programme start date
• Not to be in full‑time education once the apprenticeship begins

As this is a safety‑critical role, the selection process includes a medical assessment, covering general health, vision, hearing, colour vision, and drugs and alcohol testing.

What Salary will you be paid for this role?

As a Real Living Wage Employer, we are proud to pay competitively at CAF. For this role you will be offered a salary of £21,230 per annum, with structured development and progression throughout the programme.

Your future at CAF

On successful completion of the apprenticeship, you’ll achieve a Level 3 Rail Engineering Technician qualification and be well‑placed to apply for a Technician role within CAF. From there, you’ll have opportunities to continue developing your career in rail engineering - whether that’s progressing into further engineering roles, moving into technical specialisms, or exploring future supervisory and management opportunities. CAF is committed to developing people from within, supporting long‑term careers in a growing and forward‑looking organisation.

ABOUT WHAT WE OFFER

A Real Living Wage employer and proud signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant, RSSB Mental Health Charter and Women in Rail EDI Charter, we’ve a lot to shout about at CAF. Creating a culture of inclusivity and belonging is really important to us and we’re proud to offer our people a range of benefits to support wellbeing including 25 days annual leave, an excellent workplace pension scheme (with up to 10% contribution from us), not forgetting to mention our generous health care cash plan and Bike2Work scheme just to name a few!

Looking for career development? Our Professional Sponsorship scheme will help you to achieve your goals while our Flexible Working policy and Family Friendly culture mean everyone is supported to thrive at CAF. As a socially responsible business, we offer paid volunteering days and promote a variety of social value initiatives, including tree‑planting, company‑wide donation drives, and providing support to the homeless community and refugees. We’re creating waves of positive change through delivering meaningful social value impact on and off the tracks!