The freedom to discover
Tube Lines is an innovative engineering company responsible for delivering the largest improvement programme the Tube has ever seen.
Whether you aspire to a career in general management, engineering, commercial or contracts management, we can offer you a comprehensive and structured development programme that will let you explore our highly diverse business.
Each of our programmes lasts two years (with the exception of our civil engineering programme which lasts three) will challenge you to bring fresh ideas to the oldest and most complicated network in the world.
An induction will give you an overview of the business and the programmes, along with an appreciation of our culture and values.
At the start you will get a programme of four to six monitored placements in different areas of the business. Graduates in many organisations spend the duration of their training scheme in the same area, but our aim is to give you all-round knowledge of the business and the training and development for your specialist area. But whatever placements you take, we can guarantee that you will be working on challenging projects from the outset – mostly working during the daytime, although since the Underground is a 24-hour operation, there will be occasional night-time work depending on your role.
Select the programme that is of interest to you:
Schemes
Commercial Management / Procurement
Getting best value from all of our expenditure and making the most of our investment is crucial and this programme is all about how and when we invest into our 3 lines. Managing our investment in the railway, developing commercial relationships, purchasing effectively and improving our business performance are just some of the responsibilities of our Commercial and Procurement teams. It’s their responsibility to make our assets last as long as possible at peak performance and drive efficiencies and change, even the smallest efficiencies can result in £millions of savings.
Over the next few years, we'll spend around £5 billion on goods, works and services as we make record investments in London Underground’s infrastructure.
You will be provided the technical experience and mentored development to become a rounded commercial manager within Commercial Management, Procurement or Asset Management.
Requirements
- Any degree background will be considered, preferably business or commercial management related or a subject that is highly numerate and analytical
- Good commercial awareness of the operation and environment within which we work or a similar environment
Scheme
- 2 year scheme with 3-6 months placements planned for you to ensure that you get all of the experience and exposure that you need to work towards professional development, to understand the business and to become a manager at the end of the programme
- Sponsored study for CIPS or RICS qualification
Placements / experience
- Procurement - Preparing procurement strategies, supplier relationship management; purchasing high volume consumables, preparing invitations for competitive tenders, evaluating tenders, negotiating and recommending award of contracts
- Estimation – costs, time, materials, labour
- Post contract administration – supporting delivery managers to administer commercial activities on site, dealing with different contractors and their performance, valuing completed work and arranging payment
- Asset performance and analysis
- Creating annual business plans looking 9 years ahead
- Risk Management – risk assessment and mitigation; business case analysis
- Finance, Audit and Governance – supporting the business processes for financial and corporate governance
Skills competencies
- Commercial acumen – has the capacity to apply knowledge and understanding of the financial, accounting, marketing and operational functions of a business combined with the ability to make good judgments and quick decisions; keenness and quickness in understanding and dealing with a business situation
- Analytical - draws on multiple sources of information to make logical, well-reasoned and defensible judgments
- Excellent communication skills – written, verbal and presentation
- Self motivation and initiative to drive to deliver to programme in a challenging environment
- Strategic Thinking – ability to look at the ‘big picture’ and strategic issues
- Solutions focused – able to analyse problems and find effective solutions
- Innovation – constantly looking for new, smarter, quicker and sustainable ways of doing things
- Strong influencing skills – being able to influence internal and external stakeholders
- Leadership capability – being able to manage projects, resources and employees to achieve objective
- Working with others – Ability to work with people at all levels from front line staff at depots to senior management
General Management / Project Management
This programme is packed with responsibilities and experiences, quickly giving you the skills and confidence you will need to lead teams and works. The aim of this programme is to develop our General Managers of the future.
It is imperative that you are able to demonstrate your leadership capability which we will harness and develop through your high levels of motivation, resilience and eagerness to learn.
Over the two years you’ll focus on the key skills required to be a successful leader in Tube Lines. Skills such as people and project management, commercial acumen within a complex commercial environment as well as managing change and innovation while delivering a first class transport service.
You will undertake placements across our 3 lines and business support areas that will stretch you into a rounded professional. You will also experience working and managing areas across our business from front line maintenance crews through to office based teams.
We expect our graduates to contribute from day 1 and take an active part in our long-term strategic vision and success. The opportunities are endless, based on your development needs, but all designed to shape you as a future leader within Tube Lines. Your programme and line managers will support you, along with a mentor and coach. You’ll also have range of external development and chances to network.
Scheme and placements
- 2 year scheme with 3-6 months placements planned for you to ensure that you get all of the experience and exposure that you need to give you a broad range of skills and experiences.
Requirements
- Any degree background will be considered
- A demonstrable ability for natural leadership
Skills competencies
- Excellent communication skills – written, verbal and presentation
- Strong technical capability
- Self motivation and drive to deliver to programme in a challenging environment
- Strategic Thinking – Ability to look at the ‘big picture’ and strategic issues
- Solutions focused – able to analyse problems and find effective solutions
- Innovation – constantly looking for new, smarter, quicker and sustainable ways of doing things
- Strong influencing skills – being able to influence internal and external stakeholders
- leadership capability – being able to manage projects, resources and employees to achieve objective
- commercial acumen – create business cases and put forward proposals for when and how to invest to get the most effective solution
- Working with others – Ability to work with people at all levels from front line staff at depots to senior management
- Adhere to values and principles of the business and ensure safety is at the heart of everything that you do
Geotechnical Engineering
The aim is to provide the technical experience and mentored development to achieve professional registration. Work will involve the core disciplines of engineering and geology, including the design of retaining structures, earth structures, embankments excavation slopes, pile foundations or drainage systems, together with the supervision of ground investigation or construction.
The roles are based within the infrastructure group with roles within the tunnelling and geotechnical group and placements will cover projects across our 3 lines.
Requirements
- BEng or MEng with a 2:2 or better from a related geotechnical or civil engineering subject
- Degree accredited by the ICE
- An interest in providing solutions to underground railway infrastructure challenges
Scheme and placements
- 3 year scheme with 3-6 months placements planned for you to ensure that you get all of the experience and exposure that you need to work towards professional registration, to understand the business and to become a manager at the end of the programme
- You will be given a programme of placements including geotechnical, tunnelling, stations and Track to give you a variety of assessments, inspections, design, construction and management
Scope of works
- Meeting clients, understanding scope of work and developing strategies for identifying ground conditions risks on wide range of civil engineering projects
- Undertaking desk studies related to ground conditions and identifying ways of mitigating specific risks
- Developing scope of works and contract documents for Site Investigations
- Supervising site investigation works and construction works
- Assessment of slope stability, design of retaining walls, piling works, foundations, earthworks amongst others
Skills and competencies
- Excellent communication skills – written, verbal and presentation
- Strong technical capability
- Self motivation and drive to deliver to programme in a challenging environment
- Strategic Thinking – Ability to look at the ‘big picture’ and strategic issues
- Solutions focused – able to analyse problems and find effective solutions
- Innovation – constantly looking for new, smarter, quicker and sustainable ways of doing things
- Strong influencing skills – being able to influence internal and external stakeholders
- Leadership capability – being able to manage projects, resources and employees to achieve objective
- Commercial acumen – managing costs and creating proposals for when and how to invest to get the most effective solution
- Working with others –Ability to work with people at all levels from front line staff at depots to senior management
- Adhere to values and principles of the business and ensure safety is at the heart of everything that you do
Civil Engineering
The aim is to provide the technical experience and mentored development to achieve professional registration and to develop into a technical expert within the track or stations asset group.
The roles are based within the infrastructure group and placements will cover all aspects of the track and stations across our three lines.
Requirements
- BEng or MEng with a 2:2 or better from a related engineering subject
- Degree accredited by the ICE
Scheme and placements
- 3 year scheme with 3-6 months placements planned for you to ensure that you get all of the experience and exposure that you need to work towards professional registration, to understand the business and to become a manager at the end of the programme
Placements will include the following areas
- Track – placements on all 3 lines
- Planning track works
- Monitoring performance of track assets
- Track design
- Track construction
- Track Upgrades – involved in planning and managing projects
- Commercial – planning / performance/ procurement
- Rolling stock / Signal to understand interface with other asset areas
- Stations management
- Experience in all asset areas – communications / E&M / premises / minor works
- Contractor and contracts management
- Planning and performance of assets
- Health & Safety
- Experience 24 hour railway maintenance and projects
Skills and Competencies
- Excellent communication skills – written, verbal and presentation
- Strong technical capability – able to deal with a range of technologies
- Self motivation and drive to deliver to programme in a challenging environment
- Attention to detail
- Solutions focused – able to analyze problems and find effective solutions
- Innovation – constantly looking for new, smarter, quicker and sustainable ways of doing things
- Strong influencing skills – being able to influence internal and external stakeholders
- Management skills to co-ordinate engineers and bring disciplines together
- Working with others – Ability to work with people at all levels
- Adhere to values and principles of the business and ensure safety is at the heart of everything that you do
Mechanical and Electrical Engineering
The aim is to provide the technical experience and mentored development to achieve professional registration and the training and support to fast track you towards a management grade position.
The roles are based within Rolling Stock (Fleet) and Stations and placements will cover all aspects of the asset group across our three lines.
Requirements
- BEng or MEng 2:2 or better from a related engineering subject
- Degree accredited by relevant institution, IET or IMechE
Scheme and placements
- 2 year scheme with 3-6 months placements planned for you to ensure that you get all of the experience and exposure that you need to work towards professional registration, to understand the business and to become a manager at the end of the programme
- You will be given a programme depending on which area you specialise in – rolling stock or Stations
Rolling Stock (Fleet)
- Experience in the technology and equipment on each of the lines – Jubilee / Northern and Piccadilly
- Railway maintenance activities
- Signal / rolling stock improvements
- Line Upgrades – getting involved in the multidisciplinary projects to upgrade the signaling systems
- Commercial – planning / performance/ procurement
Stations Management placements
- Stations management
- Experience in all asset areas – communications / E&M / premises / minor works
- Contractor and contracts management
- Planning and performance of assets
- Health and Safety
Placements will also include areas such as
- Experience in the technology and equipment on each of the lines – Jubilee / Northern and Piccadilly
- Railway maintenance activities
- Commercial – planning / performance / procurement
- Experience 24 hour railway maintenance and projects
Skills and competencies
- Excellent communication skills – written, verbal and presentation
- Strong technical capability
- Self motivation and drive to deliver to programme in a challenging environment
- Strategic Thinking – Ability to look at the ‘big picture’ and strategic issues
- Solutions focused – able to analyze problems and find effective solutions
- Innovation – constantly looking for new, smarter, quicker and sustainable ways of doing things
- Strong influencing skills – being able to influence internal and external stakeholders
- Leadership capability – being able to manage projects, resources and employees to achieve objective
- Commercial acumen – managing costs and creating proposals for when and how to invest to get the most effective solution
- Working with others –Ability to work with people at all levels from front line staff at depots to senior management
- Adhere to values and principles of the business and ensure safety is at the heart of everything that you do
Health & Safety
The aim is to provide you with the experience and mentored development to become a Health & Safety professional through team-working, event organisation and engagement with key stakeholders inside and outside the business. You will acquire operational knowledge, practical skills, as well as a broad appreciation of Tube Lines strategic direction on HS&E.
Tube Lines will encourage and support you in your achievement of further professional development within this field.
Requirements
- Class 2:1 degree or better in a degree containing Occupational Health & Safety, Risk Management or Environmental Management
- A demonstrable interest in Health & Safety management
Scheme and placements
- 2 year scheme with 3-6 months placements planned for you to ensure that you get all of the experience and exposure that you need to work towards professional qualifications, to understand the business and to become a manager at the end of the programme
Placements will include the following areas
- Through both our operational maintenance and capital upgrades
- Site based management of contractors
- Designing and implementing H&S initiatives to lower carbon emissions, promote the health and wellbeing of our workforce or ensuring the safety of our work sites
- Risk models, evaluation and management
- Managing incidents and introducing initiatives to reduce them
Skills and competencies
- Excellent communication skills – written, verbal and presentation
- Strong technical capability
- Self motivation and drive to deliver to programme in a challenging environment
- Strategic Thinking – Ability to look at the ‘big picture’ and strategic issues
- Solutions focused – able to analyze problems and find effective solutions
- Innovation – constantly looking for new, smarter, quicker and sustainable ways of doing things
- Strong influencing skills – being able to influence internal and external stakeholders
- Leadership capability – being able to manage projects, resources and employees to achieve objective
- Commercial acumen – managing costs and creating proposals for when and how to invest to get the most effective solution
- Working with others –Ability to work with people at all levels from front line staff at depots to senior management
- Adhere to values and principles of the business and ensure safety is at the heart of everything that you do