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Railway Fitter/Electrician

Do you want to become a Railway Fitter/Electrician? Here is some information to help point you in the right direction:

Job Description - Print Page

Railway fitters/electricians are craftspeople responsible for ensuring the continuous running of railway machinery and equipment. They also organise routine maintenance procedures and carry out any necessary repairs. 

The work involves:

• making regular checks on machinery according to a planned schedule
• replacing parts on a planned basis after a certain number of hours
• checking and calibrating instruments to ensure accuracy
• rectifying faults without delay.

Other fitters/electricians may be involved in the construction of new railway rolling stock or new electrification systems.

Railway fitters and electricians usually work 37 hours a week. They may work in depots or workshops. Most of these are enclosed and heated. Sometimes they work outdoors on sidings or on the track, where conditions can be cold, wet and dark.

Salaries range from around £12,000 to over £20,000 a year.

Railway fitters/electricians should:

• be good at working with their hands
• have good hearing, good eyesight and normal colour vision
• be prepared to work shifts and anti-social hours
• be able to understand manuals and technical drawings
• be computer literate and able to write reports
• be physically fit
• be interested in the transport environment.

There are around 8,000 railway fitters/electricians in the UK. Employers include train operating companies, London Underground, light rail and metro companies in big cities, freight companies and leasing companies. There are also jobs with specialist maintenance companies that carry out work for the operating companies, and with engineering companies that make new traction units and carriages.

Young entrants can find work as trainee fitters after school, or train through an Apprenticeship, working towards NVQs/SVQs in Rail Transport Engineering.

Apprentices initially train in basic engineering craft skills in a workshop. They then spend time in different workshops, working alongside experienced colleagues. There is no upper age limit for people with relevant experience.

Railway fitters and electricians can gain the necessary skills and practical experience to progress to supervisory and managerial roles.

 

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