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Role: Senior Technician Level Crossings Degree Apprentice and HS2 Assurance
Co-ordinator
Career Area: Engineering Design
Current Study Level: Degree Apprenticeship
Location: York
My role at SYSTRA
As a Senior Technician in the Level Crossings team, I am responsible for designing different types of level crossings whilst working to the relevant standards and guidance documents. This includes being the work package manager, producing level crossing ground plans, design logs and populating hazard records. I assist in preparing design solutions, reviewing historical records and assisting on site surveys.
During quieter periods of level crossings work, I get the opportunity to work with different teams and disciplines. Most recently I have been working on HS2 Sub Lot 5 South as an Assurance Co-ordinator. This role is very different to my Senior Technician position, and involves preparing and coordinating design assurance documentation and certifications for different programme assets.
Why I chose a degree apprenticeship
After leaving secondary school I completed a Business Administration apprenticeship at an events company. Following this I joined SYSTRA initially as a Document Controller. It was whilst in this role that I first became interested in joining the engineering side of the business as I found the technical work particularly interesting. I was then given the opportunity to start my engineering career and move to the Level Crossings team. My family have a history working on the railway and some of them were even level crossing keepers, so it’s fitting that I’m now designing them.
I completed my BTech Railway Engineering apprenticeship at York College in 2020 and began my degree apprenticeship at Leeds Beckett University, where I’m currently in my final year. In the early days of my apprenticeship journey at SYSTRA I was told to take every opportunity given to me, which is a motto I always follow. Apprenticeships have always been the best option for me as full-time education never really suited me – earning whilst working is also a massive benefit.
We asked Katie…
How have your technical skills developed throughout your apprenticeship?
During my apprenticeship my technical skills have improved drastically, and I have learned to use a range of different engineering and project management software programmes including MicroStation, Bently RailTrack and Power Bi. Being able to use different types of software has helped me with not only my engineering designs, but also with the work I complete at university.
How have you grown personally through doing an apprenticeship?
As an apprentice, I started with limited knowledge and experience, but through continuous learning and hands-on practice, my confidence has grown significantly. I’ve learned to trust my abilities, ask questions when needed, and take the initiative. Working on real-world projects during my apprenticeship has improved my ability to think critically and creatively when solving problems. My apprenticeship experience has also made me more ambitious and has driven me to exceed what I thought I was capable of.
What advice would you offer to someone who’s unsure if an apprenticeship is right for them?
Take the opportunity! Through doing apprenticeships I have gained not just work experience but qualifications too. I think it’s important to acknowledge that apprenticeships are a completely different way of learning compared to full-time education – school was never something I enjoyed, whereas apprenticeships are really well structured to my learning style. Learning on the job whilst also learning at university has really helped me academically.
How does SYSTRA stand out as a great place to work?
SYSTRA has a real interest in staff progressing in their careers, and the opportunities offered to you are endless. As an apprentice I am surrounded by inspiring colleagues who are great role models. SYSTRA stands out as a great place to work by offering a dynamic, inclusive and empowering environment where employees can thrive professionally, contribute meaningfully to projects, and be part of a global network of engineers.
What’s your favourite thing about your job right now?
Through my time at SYSTRA I have worked on some of the biggest engineering projects in the UK and the world such as HS2 and NEOM. I take pride in working on such projects and feel like I have made a real difference.
Diversity is powerful. What unique perspective do you offer as an apprentice?
As an apprentice, I bring the unique perspective of someone eager to learn and unafraid to question the status quo. I approach tasks with a fresh lens, often seeing opportunities for growth or innovation that may be overlooked by those deeply rooted in traditional methods. As a female apprentice, I’m driven by a deep determination to prove what’s possible. This mindset fuels my ability to approach challenges with creative thinking, a willingness to adapt and the perseverance to push through difficulties – qualities that are essential for success in engineering.
What would an entirely green future look like? How should our industry contribute?
An entirely green future in the UK would be characterised by deeply embedding sustainability into every aspect of daily life, with clean energy, circular economies and low environmental impacts as the foundation of society. In this future, the railway industry has a pivotal role to play as the backbone of sustainable transportation. The railway network should aim for full electrification, replacing diesel locomotives with electric or hydrogen-powered alternatives. Trains would operate entirely on renewable energy, utilising solar-powered stations, wind turbines and smart grids to supply clean energy to tracks and facilities.
You can spend your lunchbreak with anyone you admire – who would you choose?
Spending a lunchbreak with Sally Ride would be an inspiring and enriching experience. As the first American woman in space, she was a trailblazer, demonstrating incredible courage, intelligence and dedication to science, exploration and education. As a woman in a male-dominated field, Sally Ride faced her fair share of challenges. I’d be eager to hear about her experiences overcoming stereotypes and what advice she would offer to women facing similar obstacles today.
What is your next big career goal?
My next big career goal is to graduate university and to gain my IEng with the ICE.
What excites you about your career future?
The opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the industry and work on projects that improve global connectivity, reduce environmental impact and enhance people’s daily lives, is deeply inspiring. The integration of new technologies, the focus on smart, sustainable solutions, and the potential for personal growth within this evolving industry makes the future both thrilling and full of possibilities.