Ex-Forces at NTAR
Your next career starts in rail
NTAR supports armed forces leavers with practical, industry-recognised training designed to help you move confidently into a new career in the rail industry.
Why NTAR?
Supporting military skills into rail careers
We know the move from military life into a new civilian career can feel like a major step. At NTAR, we help armed forces leavers recognise how their existing skills, discipline and technical experience can transfer into the rail industry.
If you have an electrical or mechanical background, our training can help you build the additional rail-specific knowledge needed to start your next career with confidence.
Built around your transition
Our ex-forces routes combine theory, practical workshop learning and industry-focused support, helping learners become work-ready for rail roles.
Transfer your experience
Military experience brings valuable skills into rail, including discipline, safety awareness, technical thinking and problem solving.
Train in a real rail environment
Learn at our Northampton training facility through a mix of classroom teaching and hands-on practical activity.
Build industry connections
Learners gain insight into the sector and the types of opportunities available across the rail industry.
Meet Your Trainer
Expert-led support from Oliver Holmes
Oliver Holmes leads NTAR’s Career Transition Partnership courses, helping ex-forces learners prepare for their rail industry career journey.
His approach focuses on creating an engaging and informative learning environment, so learners can build confidence, understand the industry and get the most from their training.
From day one you are greeted by friendly, enthusiastic staff who go above and beyond enabling you to get the most out of the course. A fantastic gateway into the rail industry and I can't recommend this course enough.
The chance to speak to recruiters during the course was invaluable and allows you to make those industry specific connections making the transition into civilian life easier.
Richard MoloneyEx-Forces Courses
Choose your route into rail
Our ex-forces training routes focus on practical technical skills for rail, with Level 3 qualifications in Traction and Rolling Stock and Telecoms, Fibre and Copper.
EAL Level 3 Certificate in Traction and Rolling Stock Systems
This course introduces key areas of train maintenance and helps learners build the knowledge needed for technical rail environments.
- Current collection and electrical systems
- Train systems and schematic drawings
- HVAC systems and safety precautions
- Train radio and cab safety systems
- Braking systems and maintenance tools
- Exterior and saloon door systems
EAL Level 3 Award in Telecom Fibre and Copper
This route introduces learners to fibre optic and copper cable work used within rail and wider technical environments.
- Fibre optic splicing, termination and testing
- Safe working with optical fibre cables
- Preparing fibre cables for jointing and termination
- Optical testing and fault-finding procedures
- Copper cable installation and termination
- Copper cable testing and circuit identification
