Graduate Training Programmes

We aim to deliver to the very best of our abilities. That’s why we never stint on investment where our people are concerned. Just one example of this is that we’ve created a new £12m Leadership Development centre in Coventry to enhance the skills of 6,000 managers. Network Rail is committed to providing training throughout your graduate programme and beyond.

Engineering

Combining on-the-job training with specialist courses and secondments, our 18-month civil engineering and electrical and mechanical engineering graduate programmes offer an unparalleled degree of opportunity. As well as exposing you to some of the most cutting-edge, high-profiles projects around, they’ll help you develop a valuable mix of technical know how and commercial awareness. What’s more, both will lead to Chartered or Incorporated status.

The civil engineering programme will prepare you to deal with complex infrastructure issues. You’ll also have the opportunity to undertake design and site placements, so you could find yourself specialising in tracks or structures during the early part of your career. Meanwhile, our electrical and mechanical engineers will focus on the maintenance, renewal and upgrade of the railway. There are also opportunities for a few of our graduates to specialise in rail vehicle engineering.

General Management

There’s no better way to learn than by doing. And that’s precisely the thinking behind our General Management Programme. To begin with, you’ll undergo an intensive six-week induction into all areas of our diverse business. From here, you’ll embark on a real role with real responsibility, supported by ongoing training, mentoring and the opportunity to study for professional qualifications or an MBA.

Finance

Following your induction, you can expect a comprehensive three-year programme of financial placements across the business, as well as block release to study for your CIMA qualification. Your placements will cover all our finance departments and functions, from management accounting, tax and treasury management to contracts & procurement, investment analysis and business planning. To help you through your development and formal training, you’ll also be assigned to a mentor for the senior finance team and a programme leader. All your examination costs will be met by us and you’ll be given generous study time and revision support.

Commercial Property

This programme consists of a comprehensive two-year programme of placements, each lasting between two and four months. Starting after you’ve completed a rigorous induction process, the programme will give you invaluable experience across a range of commercial property disciplines, from valuation, landlord and tenant, development, sales, commercialisation and compulsory purchase to estate management lettings, contracts, offices, facilities, portfolio marketing, finance and retail. Alongside these placements, you’ll be given all the support you need while studying to achieve RICS Chartered status.