Nexus 2014 Advanced Engineering Apprenticeship Scheme
READ THIS FIRST
Introduction
Millions of people each week throughout Tyne and Wear take for granted that their public
transport will turn up on time to safely transit them to their required destination. They
demand the best possible service as their right as the travelling public and as a valued Nexus
customer.
What these 50 million Metro users and the 30 million passengers using the 17 bus stations
and transport interchanges in Tyne and Wear do not realise or see is, the behind the scene
organisation required in keeping this fantastic service running.
The Nexus Assets for Passenger Services are:
60 Metro Stations
13 Tunnels
120km Track
2 Ferry’s
3 Metro Interchange Stations
90 Metro Trains
33 Escalators
160 Points
2 Ferry Landings
8 Smaller Bus Stations
207 Bridges
34 Lifts
560 CCTV Cameras
4 Major Bus Stations
All of this hardware requires the attention of highly skilled maintenance workers keeping the
service safely running.
As a Nexus Apprentice, that will be your job, keeping the Metro and its other assets running,
you will be part of this essential establishment working as a member of our highly skill
Maintenance and Technical Teams.
Part One: The Nexus Advanced Apprenticeship Scheme
If you are a “nine to five clock watchers” you are not what we are looking for so look
elsewhere and don’t apply. Nexus is a 24/7 operation and applicants for our apprenticeships
will want to contribute to the running of this essential region service, day and night including
weekend shifts, at all times and in all weathers, but that is what our apprentices enjoy.
Three years in duration, the programme will equip you with the skills and experience
necessary to become a Maintenance Engineering Technician. All Nexus apprentices start
training in Mechatronics. Mechatronics is the combination of mechanical engineering,
electronic engineering, a multidisciplinary field of engineering, that is to say it rejects
splitting engineering into separate disciplines.
In the later stages of your apprenticeship you training will be more specialised towards
Nexus 2014 Advanced Engineering Apprenticeship Scheme [Page: 1]
Electrical/Mechanical & Plant; Overhead Lines OHL [Electrical/Mechanical]; Signalling &
Communications [Electrical/Electronic].
Whichever route, you’ll spend your first year at Gateshead College specialist engineering
training centre. The second and third year of the programme are spent at Nexus Rail working
with experienced maintenance teams with short block periods back at Gateshead College.
From the very beginning, you’ll learn about our very high safety standards critical part of
your everyday life on the Railway and obtain the qualifications and skills to develop a longterm career with Nexus.
Whatever discipline, the work is critical and is always conducted with the highest levels of
safety in mind, and of course you need to be prepared to work shifts too.
Minimum Education Requirement to apply:
To apply, applicants will have already attained or are expected to achieve as minimum Four
GCSEs at grade A-C (or equivalent) including English, Maths and Science or Engineering.
Before you apply
It is important you understand what’s involved in a career with
Nexus Rail. Such is the importance of the job; we have a strict policy
on the misuse of drug and alcohol.
Remember, this is an outdoor job that often requires a good level of physical fitness, so you
should be prepared for that as well. We will give you a full medical including sight and
hearing checks to make sure you meet our rigorous safety standards and we will also request
information from your doctor on any existing medical condition, such as diabetes or any
medications you’re being prescribed. If you don’t pass the medical we cannot employ you.
Moreover, if you fail to disclose anything at this stage we will have to withdraw the offer.
Benefits
Over the course of the next three years, you’ll be learning a great deal both at the College
training centre as well as on the job. You’ll also be taking home a decent salary, the First Year
Salary is £8,400 per year, plus a Completion of Training Bonus of £1,150, salaries will increase
each year as you gain more experience.
We will provide the clothing and personal protective equipment that you need – including
safety boots, cargo trousers and a fleece. There are plenty of holidays: 27 days plus bank
holidays in total.
It’s also important to bear in mind our wider company benefits, such as employee travelcard
scheme entitling you to free travel on Metro, Ferry, Bus transport in the North East and some
Rail Travel. Nexus also have Nexus Extras, an on line discounted purchasing scheme with
Nexus 2014 Advanced Engineering Apprenticeship Scheme [Page: 2]
over 3000 offers with savings, discounts and Cashback there's lots to benefit from and it's
free for Nexus employees. Although this might not seem important to you now, there is also
an excellent pension scheme; and it could mean so much more to you in the future. After all,
we want you to go on to make a successful career here at Nexus, long after you have
completed your apprenticeship training.
Part Two: The Advanced Apprentice Training Programme
The First Year
The first year of the Advanced Apprenticeship is spent at Gateshead College specialist
engineering training centre. The programme is completely tailored to rail engineering
requirements; the workshops are modern and extensively equipped.
You will be provided with a technical foundation that will give you an excellent platform for
your future. You’ll learn fundamental engineering principles and skills. It’s a mix of academic
work as well as hands-on practical experience – after all, you’ll be studying for an NVQ Level
2 and a BTEC Level 3.
Second and third years
The second and third years of the scheme, you’ll be working as part of an engineering
maintenance team here at Nexus Rail. At the same time, you’ll be working towards NVQ
Level 3 in Engineering, and this will involve a combination of rail-specific technical courses,
work experience and formal assessments.
This is the time when the first year of your technical training will come into its own. You’ll be
out and about working with experienced colleagues, possibly in teams of four or five. The
work is mainly outdoors, and that’s one of the things that appeals to our apprentices.
You’ll be ‘one of the team’. So you’ll need to make sure you work well in a group and take on
responsibility when you need to, while learning from the people around you. There’ll be a
wide variety of work involved in what you’re doing; and because you’ll also be studying for
an NVQ, you’ll need to manage your time well. Several times a year, you’ll also return to
Gateshead College to attend specific technical training courses.
There’s a lot to take in and a lot of responsibility to take on. But by the end of the scheme,
you’ll have the foundation to make a real mark within Nexus Rail.
Part Three: The Application Process
Applications are processed on a first come first served basis, and once we have received
sufficient applications we may close it to new candidates. Candidates who are not contacted
before May 2013 will not have been successful.
Nexus 2014 Advanced Engineering Apprenticeship Scheme [Page: 3]
The process Time Line from application process is:
Application Forms can be found on-line:
http://www.nexus.org.uk
Vacancies
2014 Apprentice Programme
Ref: N-AP 2014
Application Forms Emailed to apprentice@nexus.org.uk
Applicants who will be over 16years of age on the 2nd September 2014 and have already
attained or are expected to achieve 4 GCSEs at grade A-C (or equivalent) including English,
Maths and Science or Engineering can apply.
Candidates who fail to disclose anything, or falsify qualifications and grades during the
selection process will have their offer withdrawn.
There are four stages in the selection process:
Stage 1: The On-line Application Form
Application Forms are initially checked to ensure candidates meet all the required
criteria, all sections must be completed. They are then further scrutinised to identify the
best submissions.
Those who are shortlisted will go forward to the second stage of selection.
When completing the ‘Application for Employment Form’ please remember:
 By returning the Form to Nexus you are confirming that all information given is accurate
and correct to the best of your knowledge and belief.
 Nexus may check any of the details provided by you.
 Deliberately giving false or incomplete answers could disqualify you from consideration
or, in the event of your appointment, make you liable to dismissal without notice.
 Canvassing Employees of Nexus, directly or indirectly in conjunction with this application,
will disqualify the candidate.
 You must be eligible to work in the United Kingdom. If you are not a British or European
Community Citizen and need a work permit to work in the UK, you must tell us when you
apply. If you are the successful person you may not start work until the Home Office has
issued you with a Work Permit.
Nexus 2014 Advanced Engineering Apprenticeship Scheme [Page: 4]
If you have any queries please contact the Human Resources Department, Nexus, Nexus
House, St James’ Boulevard, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 4AX. Tel: (0191) 203 3234 Fax: (0191)
203 3388.
Stage Two: On-Line Dependability and Safety Questionnaire [On-Line Test]
Candidates will be sent an email inviting them to complete an online Dependability and
Safety questionnaire. The Dependability and Safety Instrument (DSI) is designed to be used
at the start of your normal recruitment process to identify those applicants who are more
likely to have good attendance records, be effective and positive team members, and be
more safety conscious.


All the required information, passwords and logon details for completing these will be
sent to your email address which you have provided.
If you have any difficulty in opening any of the documents please contact the Nexus
Contact urgently.
You cannot move to the next recruitment stage until this test is completed, candidates that
do not achieve the required results will receive no further contact.
Stage Three: Ability Tests, ID/Security Qualification Check
The next part of the Nexus Recruitment and Selection process requires you to complete a
range of SHL Ability Tests. At this event we will also be checking your Identification and
Examination Details. This will be held at either, Nexus House, Nexus Rail HQ or Gateshead
College.
Identity and Security Check Procedures
Nexus will require you to provide proof of your ID by way of the following documents,


Proof of National Insurance Number
NI Card. If card not available proof of NI No - P45 / P60
Proof of Identity
Valid Full Passport, If not a valid and in-date passport, then provide Full Birth Certificate –
including parents’ names
[These documents will be photocopied]
Qualification Validation
Nexus require you to provide proof of your qualification by way of the following documents,

Original Certificates
Nexus 2014 Advanced Engineering Apprenticeship Scheme [Page: 5]

Proof of all Examinations and predicted Grades
Ability Tests:
Testing days will run between April and May 2014 and held at Nexus House, Newcastle or
Nexus Rail HQ located at Gosforth or Gateshead College. At this event, candidates will carry
out a series of ability tests used in the selection of qualified school leavers for modern
apprenticeship schemes. These tests are designed to measure ability in Following
Instructions; Numerical Estimation; Mechanical Comprehension; Fault Finding; Spatial
Checking; and Diagrammatic Thinking.
Stage Four: Interview
Successful candidates will be invited for a final interview. There will also be a medical and
drugs and alcohol screening. Candidates who pass will be offered a place on our Advanced
Apprenticeship Scheme.
Nexus 2014 Advanced Engineering Apprenticeship Scheme [Page: 6]
Part Four: Tips and Advice
Tips and advice when filling in an application form:








The Application Form must be completed in full. It is important that you use the space
provided [the boxes will expand] to explain how your skills, abilities, experience and
qualifications compare with what we are looking for in the job. We recommend
preparing draft statements before filling in the form. Remember only your Application
Form will be used for the initial shortlisting of candidates, a Curriculum Vitae WILL NOT be
accepted as part, or instead of your application.
Try to find out as much as possible about both the job you are applying for and Nexus.
Always back up your skills with evidence. For example, it is not enough to say ‘I am a
good team player’; give examples of when you worked effectively in a team.
Use the word ‘I’ rather than ‘we’ when talking about past experiences - this is about you,
not the teams that you have worked with.
Give detailed answers but only provide information relevant to the actual question. Be
clear, do not undersell yourself but always be truthful. If there is a question that is not
relevant to you, mark N/A (not applicable) in the answer box.
Read back your answers to ensure that they are easy to read and check for any spelling
or grammatical errors. If you have time, take a break and return to your application later.
Looking at it fresh, you will often find ways to improve it or see errors you had not seen
previously. Show your application to friends or family and ask for feedback. A fresh pair
of eyes can provide a very useful second opinion.
Make a copy of the job application and practise filling it in before you submit your final
online application.
Make a copy of your final application so that you can read it through before you attend
an interview.
Tips and advice when preparing for a face to face interview





Ensure you double check the time, date and location of your interview, know how to get
to the venue and how long it will take you.
Confirm travel arrangements in advance and aim to arrive early so that you are relaxed.
Think specifically about the skills you may be asked about in the interview. Think about
how you could demonstrate these at interview and give relevant examples.
Think about how your experience matches the job description for the role.
Try putting yourself in the interviewers place, how would they know you are the right
person for the job.
It is important to know as much as possible about the role and the organisation. It is also
important to remember that an interview is a two-way exchange - there will be
opportunities for you to ask questions so consider any additional information you would
like to know.
Nexus 2014 Advanced Engineering Apprenticeship Scheme [Page: 7]
Tips and advice when preparing for the Tests
As part of the Nexus Recruitment and Selection process you are required to complete a
range of Assessment Tools and Instruments. These tests are principally for use in the
selection of qualified school leavers for modern apprenticeship schemes. You will be asked
to take a selection of these which will be invigilator controlled so for each test you will be
made aware exactly what you have to do.
 Arrive early to the test location
 You will receive all the test information at the testing centre regarding each particular
test.
 Don’t be afraid to ask questions
Test: Following Instructions: Measures the ability to follow written instructions. The topics
covered are relevant to a technical environment and draw on the kind of material often
associated with equipment manuals or operating instructions. No prior knowledge of
technical words is assumed. [Time 20 minutes - Number of Questions 36]
Example:
In this test you are given a written passage containing instructions. Use the instructions in
the passage to answer the question which follow. Choose the right answer from the four
answers given and blacken the correct circles A, B, C or D on the answer sheet.
Photocopier Operation
Push the SORTER switch if the sorter is to be used to collate
the copies (i.e. separate them into sets). The sorter indicator is
lit when the switch is on. If the lamp flashes, check the position
of the sorter.
NO SORT mode: up to 99 copies can be made, all delivered to
the top bin.
SORT mode: 15 copies can be made from each original. The
original can be up to 30 pages long. One copy of each original
is delivered to each bin.
Originals should be arranged in reverse order when using the
SORT mode.
Q1
What should you do if the sorter indicator flashes?
A:
B:
C:
D:
Push the SORTER switch.
Check the position of the sorter
Disconnect the sorter
Collate manually
Nexus 2014 Advanced Engineering Apprenticeship Scheme [Page: 8]
Q2
What is the maximum number of pages a document can have if the sorter is to
be used?
A:
B:
C:
D:
15
99
30
No limit
Test: Numerical Estimation: Measures the ability to estimate quickly the answers to
numerical calculations. Fractions and percentages are included as well as basic arithmetic.
[Time 10 minutes - Number of Questions 40]
Example:
This test consists of numerical problems to which you must estimate your answer.
Not the word ESTIMATE. For each question you are to choose the answer, from the
five answers given, which is the nearest to your estimate and blacken the appropriate
circle A, B, C, D or E
Q1: 24 x 0.8 =?

A
16
B
220
C
19
D
24
E
140
Q2: 76% of 156 =?

A
120
B
160
C
140
D
100
E
180
Test: Mechanical Comprehension: Assesses the understanding of basic mechanical
principles and their application to such devices as pulleys and gears and simple structures.
[Time 15 minutes - Number of Questions 36]
Example:
This test is based on mechanical principles. Each problem consists of a question
which refers to a drawing. You have to choose the best answer to each question a
blacken the correct circles A, B, or C on the Answer Sheet.
Q1
Which screw is more likely to pull out of the wall when a load is applied to the
hook?
Nexus 2014 Advanced Engineering Apprenticeship Scheme [Page: 9]
Is equally likely, mark C.
Q2
Which apparatus requires less force to begin moving the block?
If equal, mark C.
Test: Fault Finding: Assesses the ability to identify faults in logical systems. No
specialised knowledge is required; rather the ability to locate which element in an
arrangement of colour coded symbols is not working as specified. This ability is appropriate
in many applications including those of electronics fault finding, debugging of software,
process control systems and in systems design. [Time 20 minutes - Number of Questions 36]
Example:
In this test you are required to follow sequences made up of a number of switches
labelled A, B and C. Each of these switches, when working, has a specific effect on a
set of numbered lights (shown in the square on the left). The circle on the right
contains the result of a particular sequence. In each case, one of the switches is not
working and so has no effect on the numbered lights. A list of the switches and what
they do is shown below.
Switch
A
B
C
Effect when working
Turns 1 and 3 on/off i.e. from black to what or vice versa
Turns 3 and 4 on/off i.e. from black to what or vice versa
Turns 2 and 4 on/off i.e. from black to what or vice versa
Remember – a switch not working has no effect
Your task is to identify the switch which is not working and indicate this by fully blackening
the appropriate circles A, B or C.
Nexus 2014 Advanced Engineering Apprenticeship Scheme [Page: 10]
IF YOU ARE NOT SURE ABOUT ANY PART OF THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS “ASK”
Nexus 2014 Advanced Engineering Apprenticeship Scheme [Page: 11]