Career Advice

Q&A with Robert Dempsey | Coyle Rail National Apprenticeship Week 2025

In recent years, Coyle Personnel have taken significant steps to ensure all our workers benefit from a career path that provides both personal satisfaction and financial security. As part of our ongoing Social Value efforts, we’ve emphasised the importance of Education & Skills, upskilling a total of 2,278 contracted workers between the period of June 2023 and May 2024. We’ve also partnered with multiple training companies to deliver comprehensive training programmes.

This #NationalApprenticeshipWeek, we were fortunate enough to speak with Robert Dempsey, a current worker for Coyle Rail, who is actively benefiting from our thriving apprenticeship programme. By sharing Robert’s experiences within the apprenticeship programme, we hope to encourage other young individuals to explore the possibility of a career in rail.

Robert Dempsey - Coyle Rail Apprentice

 

How's the apprenticeship going? Are you enjoying it?

“Yes, it’s going very well! There are many areas of awareness and knowledge that I have gained which I initially didn’t expect to cover in the apprenticeship. We are anticipating the end of our current course in August – September 2025, and when looking back to when we initially started in May - June 2023, the tutors were certainly right when they  said it will fly by before you know it!”

 

What led you to pursue an apprenticeship in rail? Is there something about the industry that interests you most?

“I joined Coyle Rail in November 2021 after coming from a completely different industry sector. When I switched to the railway, having known some friends in the industry, I was told there are so many routes and career paths that you can explore. I was like a sponge literally absorbing a whole new industry all over again taking a keen interest!

I was approached in early 2023 about wanting to do an apprenticeship and after some thought it seemed like a no brainer for me because I knew it would expand my growth development even further. Possessing a reasonable amount of track Permanent way (P-way) knowledge and experience would also benefit me for when my course began in May-June 2023.

We have already learned many areas with various tutors too and their expertise (some being ex-Network rail) and willingness to share their knowledge, has reflected not only on my coursework modules, but also things we haven’t yet covered on the job.”

 

Talk me through a typical day - what are your key responsibilities?

“I now generally work permanent night shifts, which feels more normal than my previous job with long days. My day usually varies depending on the assignments I need to complete, which I also do in my spare time. However, we have dedicated off-the-job class days for coursework, usually completed online at home with tutors, and submitted for grading for each module covered in the apprenticeship. We also attend training centres for competency ticket courses and exams.

Outside of this, when working night shifts with the Coyle Rail team I'm usually based with, we carry out day-to-day permanent way (P-way) maintenance activities, supporting Network Rail personnel to ensure and maintain the rail network within the depot's coverage area. I've also been to other depots and areas around the Anglia network. This can involve replacing and installing defective rail and components, switches and crossings, railway sleepers, lifting and packing L2 fault geometry alignments, regulating ballast, and assisting competent Network Rail staff with other tasks where I may not have experience or understanding, which supports my development, knowledge, and coursework write-ups.

To date, I've also gained several competency tickets and completed safety-critical shifts, such as Controller of Site Safety (COSS) for working groups, ultrasonic teams, First Aider at Work (including electrical incidents), Level Crossing Attendant (LXA), and Points Operator.”

 

What’s the most important thing you’ve learned so far? Could you perhaps describe one of the key safety procedures that you’ve learned?

“Always look out for your working group, as well as yourself, while working on or near the line, and ensure everyone is working safely within the parameters. Even if you aren't the assigned COSS, you are all responsible for each other's safety and welfare. ‘Everyone home safe every day’ is one of Network Rail's Lifesaving Rules, and equally important to Coyle Rail and others in the industry.”

 

Do you enjoy the educational side of the apprenticeship, and what kind of support do you receive from your mentor?

“Yes, although it was like going back to school after a long time away, doing the coursework write-ups. The mentoring adds value to the learning, making the work we do more understandable. It makes me more inquisitive to know the "how’s" and "why’s" for growth, development, and knowledge. But there's still so much more to learn; every day is a learning day, which is what I like about the job – it never gets boring.”

 

What skills do you think are the most important for someone in this field to have?

“The statutory ones you need when joining are Personal Track Safety (PTS), Track Induction Course (TIC), and an Advantage of Small Tools ticket, which covers an array of plant equipment and items you might use, from hand trolleys and impact wrenches to abrasive rail saws and Ironman, etc.

If you have some track experience, that will be a bonus to help bridge some areas of the learning and coursework to be more relatable. But if you don't have that experience, be open and willing to learn and fact-find to allow you to progress through different areas covered on the apprenticeship course. The tutors also provide guidance, material, and support.”

 

What’s the most memorable moment from the apprenticeship so far?

“Gaining the COSS ticket allowed me to be the radio operator, doing communications in a ballast train along with the driver, and observing any hazards or areas where ballast needed to be dropped, working with the Network Rail team and ballast operators. This is one of the vital tasks for the rail infrastructure in preparation for critical rail temperature sites (CRT) between certain weather seasons, along with other specialised plant/machines such as tampers to regulate the track and ballast to avoid track buckling and alignment faults occurring, which can reduce or cancel train services.

The depot I'm based at covers passenger train (TOC) and freight (FOC) operating companies, including a nuclear flask train over three routes that all filter through one station. So, our work is part of the huge cogwheel around the country, of many teams working to make trains and the rail network operate as safely and efficiently as possible from A to B.”

 

Are there any projects or tasks you’re particularly proud of?

“Going all in on my coursework, despite the times you feel like it's never-ending, has proven you can get good mark gradings based on experiences learned and information inputted. I've done a few tasks that my own gang have never done before, so your willingness to learn helps you stand out a bit more.”

 

Would you recommend this apprenticeship to others? What are your plans for the future?

“Yes, I would recommend it, as long as you're willing to put the effort in. Then, naturally, it becomes easier in areas of the course, and you gain opportunities within the job that you might not get in the same timeframe if you weren't doing the apprenticeship.

As for the future, we'll be having end-point assessment write-ups and meetings to discuss our next steps. I'd like to obtain more competency tickets that would give me a broader range to handle and manage jobs, so watch this space…”

 

What advice would you give to someone starting an apprenticeship in the rail industry?

“Make notes, be willing to learn and get involved, ask questions, including if you can be provided with information like standards or other supporting information, and take photos of work being carried out for knowledge reference, but only when it's safe to do so and/or in a position of safety. That may help collate information for your coursework and make it more personal in your write-ups with proof of competencies.”

 

Robert's experience with Coyle Rail highlights the rewarding, yet demanding, nature of a rail apprenticeship. From the classroom to the track, he emphasises the importance of continuous learning, both formal and on-the-job.

His journey demonstrates that with dedication and a willingness to learn, a rail apprenticeship can lead to a fulfilling and impactful career. If you're interested in pursuing a career in Rail, get in touch with a member of our team today to learn more about the possibility of a rail apprenticeship.