Engineering Apprentice 2025
Job Description & Core Capabilities Specification
Job title Engineering Apprentice
Departments Workshop
Level / salary range / band As per details below
Reports to Workshop Foreman
Vacancy reference RPSI Apprentice 2025
Status Full time, fixed term, 3 years
Hours 39 hours per week
Location Whitehead Excursion Station, with occasional work at Dublin Connolly locomotive shed and Inchicore Works, Dublin
Date Advertised 11th July 2025
Closing Date 25th July 2025
About the employer
The Railway Preservation Society of Ireland (RPSI) is a charity which restores and operates steam locomotives and carriages on the railways of Ireland, both in Northern Ireland and in the Republic of Ireland. The RPSI maintains rolling stock at its base at Whitehead, Co Antrim, with vehicles also maintained in Dublin. The vehicles are operated on special heritage trains running from Dublin and from Whitehead, with tickets to travel sold to the public.
Purpose of the Role
As an Engineering Apprentice you will be involved in all aspects of railway vehicle maintenance and repair, from routine servicing to the complete overhaul of locomotives and carriages.
The skills to maintain steam hauled locomotives and rolling stock are highly specialised, and will be passed on to you, to ensure that these heritage vehicles can continue to be operated for years to come.
You will work as part of a small team of multi-skilled maintenance staff to ensure any allocated work is carried out in an efficient manner in line with set standards to maximise the safety, availability and reliability of the RPSI’s locomotives and carriages.
Over three years, you will learn through on-the-job training in our workshops and classroom training for one day a week in a technical college. You will be required to work towards a Level 3 Qualification in a relevant Mechanical Engineering discipline with the technical college.
You can expect to have learned about and practiced welding, fabrication, machining, use of hand and power tools, and the safe operation of plant including overhead cranes.
You will be trained on, and competent in the use of, fabrication tools such as plasma cutter, oxy-acetylene burners, angle grinders, and basic hand tools such as files and hacksaws.
You will also be trained to use machine tools for producing and repairing precision parts, including centre lathes, milling machines, pillar drills and grinders for sharpening and making tools.
These skills are essential for keeping steam trains on the rails, but are also transferrable to general engineering employers.
Key Responsibilities
Types of work
The following reflects typical duties and is not intended to be a comprehensive description of all tasks.
The post holder will be responsible, under supervision, for:
- Cleaning of locomotive, carriage and wagon interiors, exteriors, components and sub assemblies.
- Surface preparation and painting of components and vehicles.
- Examination of vehicle and machine systems.
- Periodic servicing of vehicles and machines.
- Identification and repair of faults in vehicles, machine components and systems.
- Implementation of Vehicle Maintenance Instructions.
- The work will sometimes be physically demanding.
- Correct and safe use of tools and equipment, including use of Personal Protective Equipment.
- Maintain personal, public and workplace cleanliness to protect against all hazards to themselves and all others.
- Working within the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act(s), the instructions and risk assessments of the RPSI, and the joint NIR / IR Railway Rule Book. Employees must work within these safety requirements with no exceptions.
- To attend college regularly and at the specified times to enable completion of the apprenticeship.
- To attend for work on days when not at college and to practically apply the knowledge learned whilst working with a qualified Technician.
- To complete, to the required standard, a portfolio and work-based evidence to complete the apprenticeship.
- To gain and improve upon skills and knowledge through the progression of your apprenticeship.
- To learn the duties of a Engineering Technician as directed by the Workshop Foreman including assisting other within the workshop, handling materials and ensuring all associated documentation is effectively and efficiently completed and accounted for.
- To begin to carry out small jobs alone as the apprenticeship progresses.
- To ensure that all tools, equipment and plant are kept in good working order and serviced regularly.
- To make reasonable steps to acquire a full driving licence in order to allow you to drive a work vehicle as part of normal duties.
- Any other work as required by Management which is commensurate with the responsibilities of the post.
Standard and quality
To complete all work to the standard and quality specified by the supervisor, or on engineering drawings or work instructions.
Administration
To prepare and submit time sheets and work records, to supervisor, in a clear, legible, and accurate manner.
Other duties
To perform any other duties which may be required by the Workshop Manager.
You will be expected to carry out tasks required on a day-to-day basis.
The work you will do will be designed to ensure you meet the evidence and standards required for your qualification.
Working arrangements
39 hour working week, Monday-Thursday 0800-1700, Friday 0800-1300.
There is a 30 minute meal unpaid break Monday - Thursday.
Start and finish times are flexible to suit operational needs.
Weekend work and overtime may be required, paid with Time Off in Lieu.
The role will be principally based at Whitehead, but some work will be carried out at other depots, workshops and railway locations across the island of Ireland.
Training and assessment may be required at other depots, workshops and railway locations across the British Isles.
Remuneration and benefits
30 days paid annual leave, of which 9 are statutory holidays.
Occupational Sick Pay Scheme.
Rate of pay for first year of employment: £7.65 / hour
Pay rise after year 1.
Core capabilities
Essential Criteria
Relevant experience
Demonstrate an interest in or relevant practical experience of vehicles.
Ability to work in a busy, diverse and challenging role working to strict rules and regulations
Academic qualifications
Junior Certificate five passes including Maths and English
Or
GCSE five passes including Maths and English at Grade C / Grade 4 or above
Personal qualities
- Willing to learn and upskill
- Ability to work in a team.
- Self-motivated and able to work unsupervised.
- Flexible and adaptable to changing work requirements.
Special aptitudes
Good literacy, verbal & written communication, and numeracy skills.
Circumstances
Flexible attitude to work and working hours including the ability to work early, late, weekend shifts and public holidays.
Able to satisfy such medical standards as may apply to the post.
Desirable Criteria
Relevant experience
Previous work experience in a working environment
Previous experience working in a workshop with vehicles or machines.
Experience of Health & Safety training courses, especially Railway, Construction or Workshop related training
Experience with hand / air and power tools
Academic Qualifications
Junior Certificate or GCSE subjects relevant to Engineering, including Physics and Technology & Design.
Special aptitudes
The ability to read technical/construction drawings
Experience of using Microsoft Office packages
Circumstances
Full current driving licence.
We reserve the right to apply the essential and desirable criteria to applicants. Applicants must demonstrate clearly on their application form how they meet both the essential and desirable criteria.
Qualifications
All applicants are required to provide copies of their qualifications at interview if shortlisted.
Medical requirements
Able to pass a Safety Critical Medical examination, including screening for Drugs & Alcohol.
Physcometric testing
Aptitude tests apply to this post and applicants will be invited to undertake these if they are shortlisted.
How to apply
Send covering letter and CV to recruitment@steamtrainsireland.com
Job Type: Apprenticeship
Pay: £15,353.51 per year
Benefits:
- Employee discount
- Sick pay
Schedule:
Work Location: In person
Application deadline: 25/07/2025
Reference ID: RPSI Apprentice 2025
Expected start date: 15/09/2025
