Job Description

Date:

28 Jan 2026

Location:

Endeavour Square, TfL Corporate

Company:

TfL, GLA or OPDC

Please note: 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.

We'd like to remind you that you must ensure you are eligible for this scheme before applying. Please read through the eligibility criteria below carefully and ensure that you are eligible before applying.

This application will also contain a series of questions to establish whether or not you are eligible. It is important that you 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 Any subsequent applications will be withdrawn.

London Underground Track Operative Engineering - Level 2

Apprentice Standard

: Rail engineering operative (level 2)

Fun Fact

Keeping London Moving isn't just about trains, and with our train's travelling more than 70 million km per year, the condition of our track is of pivotal importance. London Underground's track has to carry hundreds of trains over more than 402km across our entire network for 364 days per year.

Salary

27,944

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

2 years

Location

London

Suitable for those who prefer

Mainly night shifts Working trackside Frequent travel across the TfL network Observational assessments- being observed completing new tasks as part of assessments Mechanical focused A mix of light/heavy physical work in a team environment

Entry requirements

You should already hold or be working towards a minimum of 2 GCSE's 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 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 years of age by 8th 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?

Level 2 Rail Engineering (Competence)

Level 2 Rail Engineering (Technical Knowledge)

Important Information

Annual Leave is pre-arranged to ensure timely completion of your apprenticeship. These are typically, Two Week Easter Break, Two Week Summer Break, One Week October and One week during the Christmas Period, plus Public Holidays. This apprenticeship will predominantly consist of night shifts when on placement but will also occasionally include day and weekend shifts. This role will include manual activity including heavy lifting and pushing equipment.

Start date

7th September 2026

Job overview

Our Engineers focus on the assets that form the foundation of our transport system. The role of a London Underground engineering apprentice is critical to ensuring the ongoing performance and safety of our tube network. The technological advancements we are seeing in our trains and operating infrastructure mean that we need to adapt the way we maintain our assets to keep them operating at peak performance. You'll be at the forefront of these developments whilst also keeping a watchful eye on our legacy assets across the network.

As a London Underground Track Apprentice, you will undertake regular placements across the network. Here, you will work alongside our highly skilled track engineers, learning how to maintain a key asset without which London Underground could not operate. London Underground's track has to carry hundreds of trains over more than 402km across our entire network for 364 days per year. Under constant supervision, and working as part of a team, you will learn and become proficient in the essential track maintenance skillset, enabling you to help contribute to the maintenance and fault repair of this pivotal function ensuring that an effective, efficient service remains continuous for London.

What will I be doing?

As an apprentice, your 2-year development programme will be made up of up to 4 or 5 placement rotations. Our aim is to equip you with the range of skills and experience you need for your successful career. We also understand that everyone's career is different, so every apprentice's journey is unique. Here's an idea of what yours could look like:


The apprenticeship is made up of a mixture of Classroom Training at Acton Training Centre, Placements across the Network and Operational Training.


You will rotate across different lines between Maintenance and Inspections for the duration of your Apprenticeship.

Your roles and responsibilities will include:

To work as part of a track team in order to complete essential track maintenance under the supervision of a Site Person in Charge To assist the line inspection, staff in undertaking Safety Critical Inspections of the track To work safely at all times adhering to strict Safety Controls and Instructions given.

Sustainability

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?

Upon successful completion of this scheme, you could roll-off into A Skilled Track Operative Role which could lead to further career development opportunities such as Track Inspector and Track Technician, as well as Site Person in Charge.



You'll also have opportunities to complete additional training courses. These will vary from soft skills training to technical skills training and Include Protecting Workers on the Track - Engineering Hours (PWT-EH) and T001

What training and support will you get?

You will be working towards a Level 2 qualification in Rail Engineering Operative


Typically, you will be required to attend Acton Training Centre, to complete the Knowledge part of your apprenticeship and this is typically Block Release.


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

Apprenticeship Development Manager

: A manager who will be managing your overall programme 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?

Everything we do as an organisation is to ensure that our evolving city remains future-proof for millions of Londoners. Our talented apprentices form a vital part of that vision, so it's important that we find the best people to help us do this. We're looking for people who are;


Willingness to Learn Highly Motivated Enthusiastic



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



As a member of the team, we'll give you responsibility and the opportunity to add value. If you are excited by inspiring and influencing the future of London, then this is the career path for you.

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.


Please click on this link for which describes each stage of the Apprentice Application Process


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 2026, 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: 0203 005 1680 (Monday to Friday between 09:00 and 17.30)


Email: earlycareerscampaigns@tfl.gov.uk

Meet the Apprentice