East Yorkshire-based Siemens Mobility Ltd is to recruit 12 trainees for its new rail manufacturing facility in Goole, where next generation Tube trains for the Piccadillyline will be built under a £1.5 billion contract agreed with London Underground.

The apprenticeships will be among the first of up to 700 jobs to be created at the site, along with 250 during the construction period and 1,700 in the UK supply chain.

The announcement was made as Mike Brown, Commissioner of Transport for London, visited the factory to hear more about the plans (and met students at Goole Academy).

Applications are now open for the three-year Level 3 Rail Engineering Technician Apprenticeships, which will begin in September.

The apprentices will spend a year at college, developing their core engineering knowledge and competencies, followed by one day a week at college and four days a week at Siemens Mobility, building up their practical skills and experience.

Their third year will begin with six months working full-time at Siemens Mobility’s, followed by six months at the company’s train factory in Vienna.

William Wilson, CEO of Siemens Mobility Ltd (www.mobility.siemens.com), said: “We are delighted to announce that we will be taking on our first apprentices for the pioneering Goole rail manufacturing development in September, and that applications are now open.

"This will provide a fantastic opportunity for 12 aspiring engineers to launch their careers with us and be among the first members of the team at Goole when the facility becomes operational.

"Building on our extensive existing skills base, we are committed to creating a lasting legacy of rail-related skills for the local economy and the UK rail industry.”

Further information on the new apprenticeship positions can be found on the Web site (www.jobs.siemens-info.com/jobs/203153).