Apprenticeships at Thales
Thales offers young people chance to ‘earn while they learn’
This autumn Thales UK’s rail signalling solutions business will welcome 20 apprentices into the business for the first time as part of a new work-based apprentice training scheme.
Created to meet future needs and to grow our technical skills base, the apprenticeship scheme will train successful candidates for roles in design, installation, testing and commissioning, and maintenance. The scheme was built on the premise that increased productivity, improved competitiveness and a committed and competent workforce are all proven benefits that apprentices can bring to a business.
The apprentice training scheme
Apprentices will take part in work-based training over the course of the three-year scheme, dividing their time between on-the-job training and classroom-based learning (completed within the first year) at City of Westminster College. Thales UK is offering a competitive annual starting salary.
On completion of the scheme, apprentices will have achieved the following:
- BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Electrical / Electronic Engineering;
- NVQ Level 3 in Rail Signalling Installation, Testing or Maintenance;
- qualification to work with safety-critical signalling and train control systems on the London Underground and the UK main line network;
- a basic knowledge of the design of Thales’s signalling equipment;
- completion of all relevant internal Thales training courses;
- IRSE license.
Peter Batley, head of Thales UK’s transport business, says: “We’re offering the opportunity for 20 young people to learn on the job, build their knowledge and skills, gain valuable qualifications and of course earn money - all at the same time.”
Apprentices will be assigned a mentor who will guide and encourage them throughout the process to allow them to maximise their potential and take advantage of development opportunities along the way. “The most important thing is that we’ll be here to make sure they have the support needed as they equip themselves for a career,” Peter adds.
Victor Chavez, Deputy CEO Thales UK, explains why the company values its apprentices: “Apprentices are a vital part of the company’s strategic planning for the future. We need young people who can, in a structured learning environment, develop within the company. Our apprentices continue to demonstrate that it is the way in which they train that enables them to challenge conventional wisdom, and add value to all aspects of our business, inside and outside out engineering functions. Our Chief Executive, Alex Dorrian, started as an apprentice, and is absolutely committed to apprenticeships for the future.”
Forming part of a broader skills and competency strategy for the rail signalling business in the UK, the scheme will see an annual intake of apprentices each year, growing the specialist skill base of the signalling community at Thales. The first apprentices will begin their training in October 2010.
