Case Studies

Network Rail owns and operates Britain’s rail infrastructure. In collaboration with SHL and Advorto it implemented an improved, more flexible recruitment solution which objectively handled and short-listed a high volume of applicants for its flagship Advanced Apprenticeship Scheme.

The three year scheme equips 240 apprentices per year with the skills and experience to become a maintenance engineering technician. The programme starts with a year at Network Rail’s training centre in Gosport, Hampshire and the second and third years are spent working with experienced teams in the field.

Network Rail chose an integrated solution delivered by e-recruitment technology provider Advorto and leading assessment provider SHL to help streamline the recruitment process for the Advanced Apprenticeship Scheme.

After completing Network Rail’s online ‘killer questions,’ applicants progressed through Advorto’s system to a series of automated questions to confirm education qualifications. Successful applicants then completed SHL’s online QuickSift instrument, which helped Network Rail to assess skills and behaviours such as organisational skills and dependability.

The most suitable candidates progressed to the final stage of the recruitment process at an assessment centre where applicants completed SHL’s verbal, numeric and inductive reasoning ability tests. The final stage of the process was a face-to-face interview.

Network Rail reduced cost per hire by reducing administration tasks and replacing a resource-intense manual system. It also enhanced Network Rail’s employer brand by giving it the ability to respond quickly and consistently to candidates, creating a positive impression with applicants.

By adding high levels of industry and job relevance to the initial application process Network Rail were able to more efficiently identify candidates with the most potential for the organisation and the position by screening candidates based on skills and behaviours that are critical for the position.

“Not only did we see a higher calibre of candidates reaching the later stages of the recruitment process, but the candidates demonstrated a real commitment to working for Network Rail through our flagship Advanced Apprenticeship Scheme,” said Matthew Lutz, Resourcing Manager, Network Rail.