Young people aged 19 to 23 years old, living in Barking and Dagenham are being offered the opportunity to apply for a Railway Engineering Traineeship.

The seven-week programme will require trainees to attend for three days a week from 10am to 3pm. Applicants must be in receipt of out of work benefits such as Universal Credit, Job Seeker’s Allowance, Income Support and Employment Support Allowance.

Councillor Sade Bright, Cabinet Member for Employment, Skills and Aspiration, said: “This unique opportunity comes at a time when residents may be anxious about work and training opportunities available to them as a result of the pandemic.

“I would like to appeal to our young residents to also see this as a career path and hope as many of them get in touch with staff at our job shops to find out if this is something for them.”

Successful applicants who complete the course should expect to gain the following qualifications.

• NVQ Rail Engineering, up to a Level 2 in English and Maths and Level 1 Workskills

• Network Rail approved Drug/Alcohol and Medial

• Personal safety and track induction

• Level 1 Health and Safety at work, CSCS Test and Green Labourer Card.

Residents interested should register with the Job Shop service by completing the online form and they will be contacted by a member of staff.

Alternatively, they can contact the shops by telephone: Dagenham Job Shop – 02087248877; Barking Job Shop – 02087248870 and the Adult College Job Shop (Construction Team) – 02082272809.