London Underground Operational Apprenticeship

London Underground (LU) Operational Apprenticeship

The essentials

Area:	Operations - London Underground
Duration:	Two years beginning September 2013
Starting salary:	£15,155 per year
Minimum grades:	Two grade Bs and a C from Maths, English Language and Science at GCSE or equivalent. Science will only count for one of the required grades. We will accept applications from people in the final year of their GCSEs but they will need to get the minimum grades by the end of August 2013.
Applications:	Applicants for this scheme must be between 16 and 18 years old on the scheme's start date, 23 September 2013. We open for applications on the 14th January 2013

What is the LU Operational Apprenticeship?

The LU Operational Apprenticeship is a two-year development programme for people who want to work in a customer-facing role and make a real difference to the lives of millions of residents and visitors in the Capital.

LU depends on its operational staff to deliver a smoothly running transport service. It's a world where more than 13,000 members of staff, from all walks of life, work together to deliver a safe, efficient, reliable transport network that's fit for the 21st century.

If you join our Operational Apprenticeship we'll give you more than just a job; we'll give you the skills and experience you need to develop a successful, long term career with us.

The scheme is aimed at addressing the under-representation of 16 to 18-year-olds in LU operational roles.

Over the last four years the LU Operational Apprentice positions made up only 3.8 per cent of all Customer Service Advisor (CSA) positions advertised.

TfL offers this apprenticeship opportunity to 16 to 18-year-olds as those under the age of 18 cannot apply for any other operational roles in LU due to the nature of the work and the age restrictions on the required licenses.

As a public sector organisation, Transport for London seeks to offer employment opportunities to a broad spectrum of people, including those who have not yet had the opportunity to enter the workplace. Our apprenticeship positions are entry-level training schemes, and priority will be given to candidates with limited or no prior work experience, and who do not possess more than the minimum qualifications required for our roles

At the end of the scheme apprentices will move into an operational position, if available, within the LU Network (currently at CSA grade).

Who do we need?

We need customer-focused people aged 16 to 18 who are as passionate as we are about delivering a world-class transport service. Self-motivated people who want to realise their potential. The operational area is all about teamwork, so you'll need to be a good communicator who can work with all kinds of different people.

As an Operational Apprentice, you'll be faced with new challenges every day to test and stretch your skills. Under the guidance of our experienced staff, you'll be able to explore your true potential and shape your own career.

What will I get?

The first three weeks' training will introduce you to LU and its operations. Then you'll enjoy up to two years of intensive development, working with people from all over the organisation and getting to grips with our huge variety of systems and technology, so you can begin to understand how everything works. You'll be involved with live projects and real work from day one, gaining skills that will last a lifetime. And at the end of it, you'll have an NVQ level 2 in Rail Operations.

Next, you'll join the front line of our operational business as a Customer Services Assistant. You'll then follow an additional development programme, to build on the strengths you've shown during your time as an apprentice. Our aim is to pass on the skills and expertise of our current Train Operators, Signal Operators and Stations Supervisors to a new generation of operational staff.

How do I apply?

Applications open at 09:00 Monday 14 January and close at 17:00 on Monday 18 February 2013. All applications must be made online. Use the 'search and apply' link on the right and search for job number 005250.

Please note this job number refers to the Operational Apprenticeship scheme not the LU Engineering Apprenticeship scheme.