(Article from Journal 2022/07 Vol140 Pt3)

We sat down with one of our young members, Leo Copley, an Undergraduate Engineer at WSP, to talk about his experiences working in the rail industry.

Degree apprenticeships can set you up for a career full of possibilities and allow you to play your part in delivering projects while studying.

WHY DID YOU WANT TO WORK IN THE RAIL SECTOR?

Leo: Initially I was more focused on some type of mechanical engineering career. However, having seen WSP’s advert for the rail engineering degree apprenticeship this drew me in and reignited my childhood interest in railways. Although the degree pathways offered were primarily of an office-based design nature, I realised that this would be the ideal introduction into the industry and allow me to build up my technical knowledge and skills that would be used throughout the rest of my career, wherever and whatever this may be doing in the industry.

WHEN AND WHY DID YOU JOIN THE PWI?

Leo: I joined the PWI 20 days after starting my job with WSP. It was a happy coincidence as it was the easiest way to book onto one of the upcoming seminars my team had recommended I attend. Attending this was an eye-opening experience about the possibilities in rail and the vast wealth of knowledge and experience the PWI has and shares between its members.

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF.

Leo: I joined WSP’s apprenticeship program in the Manchester track team straight after leaving sixth form. As part of this I spend one in every six weeks on block release to London South Bank University where I am studying for my BEng in rail and rail systems engineering. In the office my role is very varied to give me the opportunity to supplement and apply my learning from Uni, as well as allowing me to explore other disciplines outside of track and see how they interface.

WHAT DOES AN AVERAGE DAY LOOK LIKE FOR YOU?

Leo: An average day for me revolves around the computer, either being based in the office or working from home. With this I am generally setting up and populating drawing files, assisting with producing cross sections and setting up and populating reports. I have also started being involved in reviewing documents so that I have the chance to learn what makes a ‘good’ document by asking questions about the processes and thinking behind them.

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN BECOMING PROFESSIONALLY REGISTERED?

Leo: Yes, my degree is structured so that upon completion I will have met all the criteria for IEng registration. Once I’ve achieved this, I plan to find a Level 7 Apprenticeship to top up my degree to master’s level and meet the criteria for CEng registration. I will have to review this closer to completion of my current apprenticeship though as undoubtably factors and circumstances will change in the interim period.

WHAT CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT (CPD) ACTIVITIES DO YOU DO? WHAT’S YOUR APPROACH TO CPD?

Leo: Due to the apprenticeship, my current approach to CPD is very conservative, taking part in the occasional Manchester and Liverpool Section meeting and seminar. As my course progresses and the lectures become more specialised, I plan to pay particular attention and take part in seminars and meetings that I can relate back to my course to support my learning and provide a different take on the subjects, rather than just being classroom based.

WHAT’S THE BIGGEST BENEFIT OF BEING A PWI MEMBER?

Leo: The biggest benefit of the PWI is that all its resources are geared towards railways and rail engineering. Compared to some of the other professional institutions, it is obvious how PWI lectures and resources relate to my everyday job. I also believe that the PWI can capture and showcase railway specific innovations and knowledge that would likely get overlooked by other institutions which encompass a wide range of engineering types and disciplines.

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO SOMEONE WHO WAS THINKING ABOUT A CAREER IN THE RAIL INDUSTRY?

Leo: It always used to be said that a job in the railway was a job for life. In my opinion this is relevant now more than ever before as opportunities through innovation and development mean the railways are set to take on a leading role in the UK’s transport infrastructure and economy to provide decarbonised, quick and efficient mass transport for both passengers and freight. This is equally true on a worldwide basis, meaning that a job in the sector could lead to you working for any number of companies in any number of countries.