Applications for ten new engineering apprenticeships to help deliver essential work on the Tyne and Wear Metro have been opened. Nexus – who operate and own the Metro – says the vacancies offer an exceptional pathway into the rail industry at one of the most exciting periods in the network’s history.
The new roles are focused on maintaining, renewing and fault finding across the electrical and mechanical infrastructure of the network. Successful apprentices will join teams within Plant and Distribution, Signalling, Communications, and Automatic Fare Collection.
Ally Jennings, HR Manager at Nexus, said: “We’re really excited to launch this year’s apprenticeship scheme, with ten new roles available. It’s a fantastic opportunity for young people to begin their career in a model that allows them to earn while they learn.
“These roles have been created to support our succession planning, and apprentices will gain bespoke skills and competencies that form a strong foundation for a long-term career in the rail industry. Apprenticeships are vital to the future resilience of Metro. Investing in training and development is essential to ensure we can continue delivering the services our customers rely on for many years to come.”
Morgan Saville initially joined Nexus as an apprentice in 2015 and has since secured a full-time role. She said: “The A-Level and traditional university route into employment is not for everyone, so if you don’t you want that option then why not consider an apprenticeship.
“When I started at Nexus I didn’t know much about railways, but I got stuck in, learned on the job, and slowly built up the skills I needed. I wasn’t just watching someone else do the work. That’s the beauty of apprenticeships – you learn by doing. Science, technology, engineering, and maths are fields that shape the world around us, and they need everyone’s input
“Women are still underrepresented — especially in industries like rail, we only take up 16.3% of the space across all sectors, that is so tiny. So, if you’re a girl who loves solving problems, building things, or asking ‘why does that work?” then this is for you and do not let anyone tell you otherwise.
“The railway industry is suffering with a skills shortage. By 2030 it is expected to lose 75,000 workers. This is due to the ageing workforce and the challenges with attracting new talent. Now is the time to really go and learn a skill and learn off someone who knows the industry inside out, especially before they retire and those skills fade forever.
“I progressed from a timid, unknowing apprentice to a supervisor, and now I am just about to embark on my new role as a project engineer for the new Metro signalling system. If I can do that, then anyone can.”
- Full details of the apprenticeships available are online at https://www.nexus.org.uk/apprentices. The closing date for applications is Wednesday 4th March 2026.