Project Management Degree Apprenticeship Review
at Network Rail
Degree Apprenticeship
Project Management
Derby
Review Submitted: February 2026
Overall Rating
3 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
3.5/5
-
Overview of Role
5/5
-
Skills Development
2.4/5
-
Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
4/5
Role is varied, I assist the project manager on certain projects, but have been given the opportunity to lead on varied and complex projects as I've developed over the course of my apprenticeship.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
3/5
The aims of the programme are good, but the execution by the training provider left me wanting in terms of the amount of content, detail and skills building. The programme from an employer's perspective was also lacking, with minimal central planning or standardisation of the scheme across the business. I think I got lucky with the team I was placed into.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
Learned lots of new skills for project management, the railway, and soft skills generally.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
2/5
The academic side of the programme is very structured, with planned modules, assignments, deadlines, and skills scans etc.
The employment side is unplanned, with placements, workload, and development being in control of line management, meaning development is often down to luck.
The employment side is unplanned, with placements, workload, and development being in control of line management, meaning development is often down to luck.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
3/5
Support from line manager and wider team is excellent.
Support from HR, scheme managers, early careers team etc. is very poor.
Support from HR, scheme managers, early careers team etc. is very poor.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
Support from tripartite team and course lead is good, available when needed. Also have the knowledge to guide or point in correct direction.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
1/5
I think my experience has taught me much more than the training. Training from the course is surface-level at best.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
2/5
Occasional volunteering/away days/xmas party etc. Mostly just the normal 9-5 interactions.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Network Rail to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Good training opportunities.
Reasonable working hours
(Theoretically) good pay for graduates and management grades, but not apprentices.
Good opportunity to pick and choose experience.
Often difficult to progress, especially if in a a specialist area of the business.
Ambition is not rewarded, mediocrity is acceptable.
Reasonable working hours
(Theoretically) good pay for graduates and management grades, but not apprentices.
Good opportunity to pick and choose experience.
Often difficult to progress, especially if in a a specialist area of the business.
Ambition is not rewarded, mediocrity is acceptable.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Network Rail?
Safety focus in interviews.
Enthusiasm goes a long way.
Enthusiasm goes a long way.
