Kickstart Your Career With A Rail Engineer Apprenticeship

​The UK rail industry is on the move – quite literally. With major infrastructure projects underway and as many as 50,000 rail professionals expected to retire by 2030, there’s never been a better time to consider a career in rail engineering.

And the beauty of it is rail engineering careers are varied, future-proof and rewarding with roles in everything from designing and maintaining the track to upgrading lines, or even installing new ones, to keep the nation’s trains running.

For those looking for a practical, affordable entry route into the industry, a rail engineer apprenticeship could be the ideal first step.

Why Choose A Career In Rail Engineering?

Rail is vital to the UK economy and investment in the network is at record levels. In July 2025, the Government announced £10.2 billion of investment into railways. This expansion is driving a high demand for skilled engineers across disciplines from signalling and electrification to maintenance and operations. As a rail engineer apprentice, you’ll not only earn well right off the bat but you’ll have multiple opportunities for career progression:

• Strong earning potential – Apprentices can expect starting salaries of around £25,000, with experienced professionals earning between £45,000 and £65,000 or more
• Clear progression – Apprenticeships provide a pathway to senior engineering and leadership roles
• Diverse opportunities – Whether you’re hands-on with technical maintenance or contributing to large-scale infrastructure projects, there’s a career path to match your strengths and ambitions

Earn While You Learn

One of the biggest advantages of a rail engineer apprenticeship is the chance to earn whilst studying. Instead of taking on student debt and paying the inevitable fees that come with a university degree, apprentices receive practical, paid training alongside classroom-based learning. The industry is currently targeting 2,000 new apprentices every year, aiming for 10,000 apprentices by 2030.

Government and industry initiatives are also opening doors for young people. For example, by the end of 2025, the minimum age for train driver apprenticeships will be lowered from 20 to 18. Alongside this, employers are working hard to improve diversity, ensuring the workforce reflects the communities it serves.

Career Progression In Rail Engineering

A rail engineer apprenticeship is just the starting point. As you gain experience, you’ll have opportunities to move into specialist technical areas such as signalling, electrification, or rolling stock maintenance.

With further training, many engineers progress into supervisory or project management roles, leading teams on large-scale infrastructure projects. Others choose to specialise in design, innovation, or safety management. The skills you develop are highly transferable, opening doors to senior engineering positions with salaries of £45,000–£65,000 or more and long-term career security.

Your Future Starts Here

Choosing a rail engineer apprenticeship is more than just starting a job, it’s beginning a career with long-term security, progression, and the chance to shape the future of UK transport.

Thinking about a future in rail engineering? See how Qualitrain can help you take the first step by getting in touch with our expert team today!

​Image source: Canva