Key Information
- Role: Commercial Apprentice – Eastern Region
- Salary: £24,500 per annum (based on a 35-hour week) + £3270 London allowance + Benefits
- Location: One Stratford Place, Stratford, London
- Contract Type: Permanent opportunity for new entrants to Network Rail only
- Start date: September 2026
- Office Requirement: This role has an expectation of spending a minimum of three days per week in the office. You may also be required to work from other offices within Eastern Region, with occasional travel to additional sites as needed.
Entry Requirements
- GCSE (or equivalent) maths and English at Grade C, 4 or above.
- 112 UCAS points from A levels, AS levels or BTEC National qualifications.
- Education Provider: Either University of Westminster or London South Bank University.
Selection Process
If selected for interview, the next stage of the process will be a request for you to attend our office in Stratford. You will be contacted after the closing date if you are selected and will be expected to give a short presentation on what you understand about Quantity Surveying and your knowledge of Network Rail.
Interview Dates
Mid / Late July 2026.
Benefits
You will be entitled to 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays. Employees will be entitled to a discretionary 75% discount off leisure travel (off-peak and super off-peak tickets). Employees will also be entitled to 75% discount on season tickets. Network Rail Benefits details can be found on the website.
About The Role
We’re offering a fantastic Commercial Apprenticeship within the Eastern Region Commercial team. As a Commercial Apprentice on the Eastern Region you’ll support the commercial and procurement teams within the UK’s largest rail infrastructure provider. You’ll gain hands-on experience across pre- and post-contract management, helping ensure projects are delivered efficiently, transparently, and in line with Network Rail quality and value standards. Through structured rotations, you’ll develop a broad understanding of how commercial functions enable safe, sustainable, and cost-effective rail delivery.
What You’ll Do
- Assist in evaluating the commercial value of works, certifying payments, and ensuring compliance with contract requirements, ISO 9001 quality standards, and the Fair Payment Charter.
- Support the management of contracts and supplier relationships, helping maintain accuracy, transparency, and accountability throughout the project lifecycle.
- Contribute to the preparation of commercial reporting across multiple projects, notably Cost of Work Done reporting and Forecasting.
- Help prepare contract specifications, tender documentation, and evaluation reports, gaining practical experience in public-sector procurement and commercial governance processes for Commercial and Procurement.
- Work alongside project management, engineering, finance and risk teams to ensure commercial objectives align with Network Rail goals for value, collaboration, and efficiency.
What We Offer
- On-the-job experience: you will gain hands-on experience supporting the commercial function on varied projects, including budget management, financial reporting, contract administration, valuations and payments, drafting contractual correspondence, and assisting with risk management to optimise project margins while upholding ethical and professional standards.
- Study support: generous study support, with 20% of your working hours set aside for off-job learning and study related to the apprenticeship. Network Rail covers all costs associated with your studies.
- Mentorship: ongoing mentorship to ensure your professional growth and success.
- Career development: skills and attributes needed to become a confident and competent Commercial professional.
- Permanent employment with Network Rail, competitive salary, and excellent benefits upon completing the professional qualification.
What You’ll Get Out Of It
Our investment gives you exposure to Commercial activities on programmes that will transform rail travel over the next 10 years. On successful completion, you will achieve a Quantity Surveyor Level 6-degree apprenticeship, progressing through to RICS Chartership.
The Opportunities It Leads To
At Network Rail, we are committed to providing the best in-house opportunities, offering employees at all levels excellent career progression. Many members of the Executive Team started their careers as apprentices. Upon completing your apprenticeship, you’ll have the opportunity to apply for various Commercial roles. As your career progresses, numerous opportunities for natural progression into Commercial managerial positions and beyond.
Sound Like You?
We strongly encourage you to craft a cover letter as part of your application to tell us why you are passionate about joining Network Rail and what unique skills, experiences, perspectives you can bring. If you do not hold a valid Right to Work in the UK, we will not sponsor this role.
Your Experience and Skills
- Great time management.
- A problem-solving mindset.
- Confidence with technology and communication.
- A drive to learn and develop professionally.
- A professionally curious mind – always asking why, how, and who.
- Collaborative spirit and team-first attitude.
- Openness to fresh ideas and new ways of working.
- Integrity and accountability.
- Your authentic, best self.
Closing Date
XX July 2026. Late applications will not be accepted. We retain the right to close the advert before the listed closing date based on application volumes.
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