Signals Engineering Level 3 Apprenticeship

Future of London; Greater London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - GBP 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A transport network operator in London is offering a Level 3 Signals Engineering Apprenticeship. This exciting 4-year program enables you to gain theoretical and practical skills crucial to maintaining safety on the London Underground network. You will work with skilled professionals, receiving hands-on training across various depots. The role involves flexible shifts including nights and frequent travel, ultimately leading to a fruitful career as a Technical Officer. Ideal candidates should possess or be working towards 2 GCSEs including Maths and English.

Benefits

Free travel on TfL network

Discounted national rail and Eurostar travel

Minimum 29 days annual leave

Tax-efficient cycle-to-work programme

Retail, health, leisure offers

Qualifications

• Must be 18 by 7 September 2026 to be eligible for the apprenticeship.
• Must provide original certificates and/or predicted grades as proof for eligibility checks.

Responsibilities

• Gain practical insights by shadowing teams during the apprenticeship.
• Engage in the operational side of London Underground, learning the significance of signalling systems.

Skills

Analytical skills

Logical thinking

Electrical work

Teamwork

Communication

Education

Minimum of 2 GCSEs A*-C (grade 4) including Maths and English

Job description

LU Signals Engineering Level 3 Apprenticeship

Location: Multiple locations, TfL Corporate

Company: TfL, GLA or OPDC

Important: This role may close soon depending on the level of interest, so don’t miss out!

Thank you for your interest in applying for this role.

Eligibility: You must ensure you are eligible for this scheme before applying. Read the eligibility criteria below carefully and ensure that you are eligible before applying.

This application will also contain a series of questions to establish eligibility. Please take great care in reading and answering these questions as we will not be able to revert your application if an error is made.

Please note: We only allow one application for any of our Apprenticeship scheme per year. Any subsequent applications will be withdrawn.

Signalling is one of the key safety strategies on our lines, enabling safe and dependable train journeys for everyone.

What we offer

You will enjoy excellent benefits and scope to grow:

Free travel on the TfL network for you and a nominee who lives in the same household

Discounted national rail and Eurostar travel

Minimum 29 days annual leave (pro rata dependent on role) plus public and bank holidays

Tax-efficient cycle-to-work programme

Retail, health, leisure and travel offers & many more

Duration

4 years

Location

London

Suitable for those who prefer

• Mainly night shifts
• Frequent travel across the TfL network
• Working in a station or depot
• A mix of observations, exams and written assessments
• Mostly electrical work
• Using analytical skills and logical thinking
• A mix of light/heavy physical work in both a team and solo environment

Entry requirements

You should already hold or be working towards a minimum of 2 GCSEs A*-C/ grade 4 or above (or equivalent) including Maths and English language.

You are not eligible for this scheme if you currently hold or are undertaking the same Apprenticeship Standard.

Please note that you will be required to provide original certificates and/or predicted grades as proof for your eligibility checks.

You must be 18 by 7 September 2026 to be eligible for this scheme.

Please be advised that should you be successful in getting an offer for this apprenticeship scheme, your offer will be subject to a satisfactory medical which may include but is not limited to: drugs and alcohol screening, hearing test and eyesight tests including Ishihara Plates and Colour Assessment and Diagnosis tests to determine colour deficiency.

What Qualifications will I gain?

The apprenticeship scheme will involve working flexible hours to include early, late, night and weekend shifts.

There are 12 depots that you could be placed at. These depots are typically found at the end of lines and are all around (north, east and west) London and can last for as long as 4 months.

Job overview

The Signals department at London Underground is responsible for the inspection and maintenance of track, signalling and control, and information systems across all lines of the London Underground network.

Our highly skilled signals maintenance teams provide a 24-hour, 365-day service of emergency call-out, maintenance and fault rectification and ensure that safe signalling systems are always in operation on the London Underground system.

Preventative and corrective maintenance is undertaken safely in accordance with the requirements of our 24-hour business whilst the incident team is responsible for real time management of incidents occurring on the railway which require that the root cause of each fault is identified and resolved to keep London moving.

Since 1863, we’ve used signals on London Underground to keep our passengers safe and the trains running on time. We’re currently upgrading our signalling systems across the network so now is an exciting time to join us!

What will I be doing?

As one of the busiest metro systems in the world, London Underground's network includes 11 different lines, 272 stations and carries over 1 billion customers a year. A reliable signalling system is pivotal to making sure that our lines are running safely and at full capacity.

As a signals apprentice you will be following a structured training programme that, if successfully completed, can springboard you into a lifelong career as part of our signals department. Our combined programme of Level 3 apprenticeship training and advanced signalling courses is designed to prepare you for a career as a Technical Officer in the signalling department.

You will gain your basic engineering skills at college at the beginning of your scheme before being placed with highly skilled signals teams across every underground line to learn your trade. You will be required to work nights on work experience placements to gain the essential exposure needed to underpin your growing knowledge, skills, and behaviours as a signalling engineer.

You will need to achieve your Level 3 apprenticeship and complete and pass all mandatory advanced signals courses to qualify as a Technical Officer. If you are successful at completing these, you will be offered the opportunity to interview for a job as a Technical Officer. Once you become a Technical Officer, you'll be supported to gain the appropriate licences that will allow you to become a member of the Institution of Railway Signal Engineers (IRSE).

Year 1

In the initial year, you'll be acclimating to both London Underground and the field of engineering. This period will involve delving into fundamental engineering theories at our partner college in Enfield. Following this phase, you will undergo comprehensive training, including all necessary track safety protocols, to enable you to operate confidently around our Signalling in various depots.

Year 2

In your second year, you will actively engage in the operational side of the business, gaining practical insights. Your role will involve shadowing teams, progressively building your confidence and practical expertise. Additionally, you will be rotating across our depots, contributing to a well-rounded understanding of our operations. As part of your second year, you will also be released to continue building on fundamental engineering principles at our partner college in Enfield.

During this phase, you'll develop proficiency in mechanical, electrical, and hand tool usage. Working closely with our dedicated assessor, you'll address a comprehensive range of knowledge questions integral to your qualifications.

Year 3

In your third year, you will continue to engage in the operational side of the business, gaining practical insights. In addition, you will be enrolled on internal London Underground Signal courses to enable you to carry out the duties of a technical officer.

Year 4

As you progress into your final year, you will continue rotating through various placements and courses, honing your competencies through diverse methods. The qualifications encompass knowledge assessments and documentation of the practical work you undertake. Ultimately, you will present your work to an external engineering institute, obtaining final endorsement that declares you a proficient signalling engineer.

Sustainability is intrinsic to TfL’s work ethos, and we ensure that we operate in a sustainable way to protect and regenerate the natural world.

Where can this career take me?

During your apprenticeship, your professional and personal development will be monitored and observed. Full and comprehensive support will be available to ensure you are developing to the correct and required standards and, if you successfully complete the apprenticeship, your career within our signals department will have only just begun.

From Technical Officer your career can lead to Signals Maintenance Manager, Signal Infrastructure Manager or even Head of Signals!

Many of our current signals senior management team began their career with this very apprenticeship and have worked their way up to executive level – your future will be yours to build!

What training and support will I get?

You will be working towards a Level 3 qualification in Rail Engineering – Technician.

You'll also receive one-to-one guidance throughout the programme from:

Apprenticeship Development Manager: A manager who will be managing your overall programme and who has line manager responsibilities

Placement manager: Responsible for your day-to-day management and support with your development

Buddy: Usually an apprentice who gives you support and ensures that you feel welcomed in the organisation

Whilst on the scheme, we’ll support your technical development through a wide range of on-the-job practical experiences and placements. We’ll also support your professional development through a combination of classroom-led training courses, online training courses, mentoring opportunities and structured networking opportunities.

What do we look for?

Our core values are extremely important to us, and we desire candidates who are:

Caring about our colleagues, our customers and our work

Open to each other, to new ideas and to working together

Adaptable to diverse needs and willing to innovate

Application process

Our application system requires all applicants to upload a CV. Although CVs are not reviewed during the shortlisting process, we do use them to confirm that applicants meet the required grade eligibility criteria. You are welcome to upload a basic CV; however, please ensure that the section detailing your qualifications is accurate and up to date. Please note we do not read cover letters.

The application process consists of 5 steps, including online assessments which will need to be completed within an allocated time frame. We highly recommend that you read through this document thoroughly so that you can familiarise yourself with the process.

If you already hold your qualification certificates, please upload copies of these to your application. If you are due to sit final exams or need to replace any certificates, these must be provided at a later stage.

You will receive information and guidance around each assessment stage as you progress through your application.

Please pay close attention to emails and deadlines provided noting you have 1 week to complete online assessments and we cannot re-issue these tests once the deadline passes.

Assessment centres for apprentice roles will take place from March-May. Please note that many roles only have 1 assessment day and we are unable to guarantee alternative dates. We are conducting assessment centres in person and virtually (role dependent).

Our city. Made better by you.

TfL is a place that’s open to your ideas. Where you can make a tangible impact and see the positive results of your work on the people and places around you. It’s a place where you can thrive and achieve. Where you’re encouraged and enabled and empowered to feel pride in the work you do. The clue is in the name, really. We work together for a better London. A better place for everyone. Constantly improving and enhancing how we operate to shape a city of the future.

Inclusive recruitment process

We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion. We want to represent the city we serve, which will help us become a more innovative and efficient organisation. Our goal is to make our recruitment as inclusive as possible. We are a disability confident employer who guarantee an interview to any disabled candidate who meets all of the essential criteria.

In High Volume campaigns including Graduate, Apprentice and Intern recruitment the minimum criteria we set is achieving a pass mark in our first stage assessments, adopting a proportionate approach as part of the Disability Confident scheme.

Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments for any stages of the application process.

Contact us

Please let us know if you require any reasonable adjustments.

Contact the recruitment team by

• Phone: [phone] (Monday to Friday between 09:00 and 17:30)

Provider

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SAP as service provider