EAL introduces trailblazing rail apprenticeships

Industry specialist-awarding organisation, EAL is to release the first of its trailblazer apprenticeship qualifications for the rail industry this month. The EAL has set up the qualifications to develop the skills required to digitise the UK rail system’s Victorian infrastructure.

The new Level 3 Rail Engineering Technician Competency and Knowledge Apprenticeship qualifications have been added to EAL’s raft of awards that covers all six disciplines recognised by the industry as instrumental, (track, traction & rolling stock, signalling, telecoms, electrification and overhead line).

Level 2 and Level 4 Apprenticeship Standards should follow in January and April 2017 respectively – completing the suite of new qualifications.

EAL has been collaborating with the employer led rail trailblazer group, after government made the decision that apprenticeship standards and frameworks should be employer driven.

“EAL has a pivotal part to play in transforming the rail sector in the UK,” said Allan Macdonald, EAL’s rail specialist. “We have a unique insight and understanding of the industry’s needs earning us the respect of key personnel at all levels in some of the biggest players and their supply chain, in the sector.”

EAL, which is part of the Semta Group, has awarded more than 3,000 rail qualifications since 2013 when it initiated a ‘roll out’ in rail.