Who We Are
At Network Rail, we're part of a large family serving millions of passengers and freight users throughout the UK every day. Our service impacts millions of people and we strive to become more efficient as we enhance, maintain and operate our network. Now is a fantastic time and join our team in Wales and Western region as we finalise the reforms to our maintenance organisation which will deliver:
A safer and more reliable and punctual service for passengers and employees - quicker fault fixes by more agile multi-disciplined response teams.
Individual rostering - enabling us to send the right number or people to fix a fault.
Multi-skilling - investing in the knowledge and skills of our people so they are better equipped to fix the most common faults themselves.
Accelerated and improved technology deployment - we have a raft of labour and life-saving technology ready to be rolled out.
Our passengers and freight users are at the heart of everything we do. We help connect people to their friends and families and get goods to their destination safely and efficiently. We're an organisation where people matter. When your part of our team, you matter to us and you matter to millions. Watch our video to find out more! About our people and the recruitment process - We're an inclusive employer of choice and we welcome applications from everyone! We look for opportunities to offer great opportunities to learn and grow through personal and professional development. And, if you make the grade then you can look forward to a rewarding and fulfilling career with a company that joined the top 50 in the Glassdoor's 2021 Best Places to Work.
We want to help deliver a railway which is safe, reliable, affordable and that provides great customer service to everyone. For more information about Network Rail click here
About the role
This role offers the opportunity to specialise as an Off-Track Operative through a structured 3-year apprenticeship programme, focused on maintaining, inspecting, and repairing the land alongside the railway to ensure it remains safe and efficient. You will be responsible for key activities including vegetation management, drainage maintenance, and the upkeep of ancillary structures, all of which are critical to the safe operation of the rail network. The work is hands-on and safety-critical, often carried out close to operational rail lines with high-speed trains, requiring a strong commitment to following rules, teamwork, and situational awareness.
During the first 12 months, you will attend online sessions one Monday each month, alongside a block release week at Bridgwater College, where apprentices take part in a range of classroom-based learning and site visits. This will develop your core knowledge in countryside management topics such as habitat and boundary management, ecology, surveys, land designations, and legislation. Your progress will be supported through a combination of workplace observations, regular reviews, and professional discussions with a trainer/assessor.
Following this, you will progress onto a further 24-month advanced programme, building on these foundations with a more supervisory focus, including site planning, managing habitat and conservation work, and leading ecological survey activities. Throughout the programme, you will work outdoors in all conditions, undertaking physically demanding tasks across varied terrain, developing both technical expertise and the resilience required for a long-term career in rail infrastructure.
You matter to your team
The team depends on you. You're the one who shows up first and leaves last, who makes sure the van and equipment are checked and ready for every shift, and who drives the team from site to site. Every day you'll support your team in maintaining equipment and will provide duties to keep the whole team safe.
Salary: £32,639 per annum
Some on call may be required at times.
Closing date: 1st June 2026. Late applications will not be accepted.
The assessment process will consist of a competency and technical interview.
Please get your application in as soon as possible, we may close the advert before the listed closing date if we receive enough applications. Late applications will not be accepted.
Our Drugs and Alcohol Standard has changed. All prospective candidates will be required to undergo and pass a drugs and alcohol test. Your application will be rescinded if you record a positive test. All positive drugs and alcohol test results for prospective candidates will be securely held on Sentinel database and a 5-year suspension from applying for a safety critical role, a role which requires PTS certification or a Key Safety role on Network Rail Managed Infrastructure will be enforced.
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability status. Click here for more information.
Diversity and inclusion are more than just buzz words for us. We're constantly striving to make sure we provide a welcoming and safe environment for everyone. We recognise that certain groups are under-represented within our team and we're working closely with our regional diversity and inclusion networks to make sure we support these groups as best as we can. Network Rail is a Disability Confident Leader and we'll try our best to adapt the process and offer a reasonable alternative to help support people with disabilities access, apply and interview for roles. You can visit Evenbreak's Career Hive for advice on accessibility support if you're unsure of the options available. Should you require any reasonable adjustments/modifications, please add a note to your application.
All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of pre-employment checks. Click here for more information Keeping people safe on the railway is at the heart of everything we do. Safe behaviour is therefore a requirement of working for Network Rail. You should demonstrate your personal dedication to safety on your application.
Your experience and skills
Your skills matter
Our operatives play a key role in our maintenance teams. You don't necessarily need rail experience, but you do need to show how your transferrable skills meet the following:
Teamworking Our maintenance teams depend on each other and you'll be able to work closely with the team to deliver safe and efficient work delivery.
Communication You'll have good communication skills so you can work safely and effectively.
Proactive planning Being punctual, having the van and equipment ready and anticipating the needs of the team are essential to keeping our passengers and freight moving.
Working under pressure Working outdoors in all conditions, and with trains passing close by means you'll need to remain calm under pressure.
Following rules and instructions It is important that you understand and respect the rules, but also feel confident to challenge if you see a situation is unsafe.
Willingness to learn You'll consistently develop your skills and competencies relevant to your discipline, keeping up to date with new standards, procedures, and instructions.
It matters that this is the right role for you
Here's some additional information which might help you:
Shifts - Operative roles involve a changing shift pattern including days, nights, and weekends.
Outdoor working - Our operatives work outside in all weathers and so you'll be comfortable working in different conditions.
Safe working - offers of employment are subject to drug and alcohol testing and passing of the relevant medical assessment and BPSS pre-employment checks. This will include a hearing and eyesight examination.
Driving - As an operative you'll also need a driving licence (category B) so you can drive Network Rail vehicles.
Commute times - You'll also need to be within a 60-minute commute of the location that you're applying for.
You matter to us
Your commitment to self-development and continuous learning is hugely important in this role and we'll provide you with all the training to develop both technical skills and non-technical skills. If you're joining us from another industry, the structured training will give you the skills and confidence to move into a rewarding career in rail. Today's technicians are tomorrow's technicians and team leaders, and we offer a clear career path for you.