We spoke to David Lowe, Apprentice Rolling Stock Technician with Hitachi Rail
Can you describe your role in a few words?
To carry out maintenance work on the Hitachi AT300 fleet of vehicles including preventative maintenance and rectifying defects that may have occurred in service.
What were you doing prior to your Apprenticeship?
I was working as a locomotive weighing technician.
What was your perception of the industry before you started your apprenticeship?
My perception of the rail sector before starting my apprenticeship was of a sector that focuses on high standards of safety and integrity.
What interested you in joining Hitachi?
I have an interest in engineering and the railway in particular and so Hitachi was an obvious choice for me.
What are the key things you’ve learnt so far in your job?
- Always double check the work you have completed to ensure nothing has been missed.
- Be mindful of others working on the job to ensure the safety of everyone.
- Communication is key when working in a team to ensure the job is completed efficiently and on time.
What is the most exciting part of your role?
The satisfaction of repairing a fault that will allow the train to go into service.
What would you like to do after completing your apprenticeship?
I would like to stay on at Hitachi as a Maintenance Technician and possibly move on to Lead Technician and Team Leader.