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| Becoming a signaller 27/12/2012 at 17:31 #39728 | |
headshot119
4869 posts |
" said:Take a look at this vacancy at York:Such temptation to apply. What grade is York IECC? "Passengers for New Lane, should be seated in the rear coach of the train " - Opinions are my own and not those of my employer Log in to reply |
| Becoming a signaller 27/12/2012 at 17:34 #39729 | |
jc92
3689 posts |
" said:" said:on the assumption it is york? many of the applications list the ops area rather than the box. this could be for york IECC, strensall, Poppleton, hammerton, knaresborough etc.Take a look at this vacancy at York:Such temptation to apply. What grade is York IECC? "We don't stop camborne wednesdays" Log in to reply |
| Becoming a signaller 27/12/2012 at 17:58 #39731 | |
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headshot119
4869 posts |
" said:" said:Ahh the ones I've read through previously have always been for a specific box." said:on the assumption it is york? many of the applications list the ops area rather than the box. this could be for york IECC, strensall, Poppleton, hammerton, knaresborough etc.Take a look at this vacancy at York:Such temptation to apply. What grade is York IECC? "Passengers for New Lane, should be seated in the rear coach of the train " - Opinions are my own and not those of my employer Log in to reply |
| Becoming a signaller 29/12/2012 at 01:04 #39783 | |
Ron_J
331 posts |
" said:Im about to choose my options for GCSE's. What are the best ones I should choose to become a signaller or driver?I think GCSEs are the equivalent of Scottish Standard Grade exams so I presume you're around 13 or 14? If so, it's worth considering what effect Network Rail's operating strategy will have on the number of signallers they will employ in years to come. The plan is to eventually have only 14 signalboxes throughout the UK which will obviously mean a huge reduction in staff numbers. The role of the signallers in these new boxes will also change substantially; ARS and the new traffic management software will take care of actually running the trains, meaning that the signallers will concentrate on doing the sort of stuff that Operations Controllers do at present. I'm not saying that it isn't worth looking at a career as a signaller, but there will be a lot of competition for vacancies and it won't be the same job as it is now. One piece of advice I can give you is to get as much education as you can now, while you're young and it is not costing you anything. Studying subjects that interest you may sound like an obvious thing to do but it will certainly make a huge difference to your motivation when it comes to revision and exam time. Also try to keep your options open - you might want to work on the railway just now but it would be a bit of a disaster if, in a couple of years time, you decide you'd like to study to be a doctor but don't have the right grades to do so. I joined Network Rail as an engineering graduate and ended up as a signaller entirely by accident - I'm lucky in that when the boxes I work close I have other options. Many of my colleagues have never worked outside the railway industry, have very limited qualifications and are going to really struggle to find other similarly well paid employment when the time comes. Being a signaller definitely does not give you transferable skills! Log in to reply |
| Becoming a signaller 29/12/2012 at 01:36 #39786 | |
postal
5265 posts |
" said:" said:RonIm about to choose my options for GCSE's. What are the best ones I should choose to become a signaller or driver?Being a signaller definitely does not give you transferable skills! Please don't run yourself and colleagues down. Being a signaller brings you a lot of transferable skills. You have proved that you have problem solving skills to a high level, you have proved that you can work in a team environment, you have proved that you have communication skills, you have proved that you can work at unsociable hours, you have proved that you can work in a safety-critical environment, you have proved that you can work in a time-critical environment and you have proved that you have the motivation to go through a long period of training and pass out with the ability to carry out the tasks in front of you. Every one of those capabilities ranks high when an employer is assessing applicants for a vacancy and are transferable to a wide range of positions. “In life, there is always someone out there, who won’t like you, for whatever reason, don’t let the insecurities in their lives affect yours.” – Rashida Rowe Log in to reply |
| Becoming a signaller 29/12/2012 at 02:10 #39791 | |
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Ron_J
331 posts |
Being a signaller is a responsible but fairly mundane and repetitive job. Depending on the type of signalbox where you work, you may have to deal with many incidents and disruptions on a daily basis or you may be unlucky to have any degraded working in a three month period. The actual mechanics of being a signaller are simple - if you can tell the time, read and count then I could teach you to work a busy panel in a couple of hours. However, the skill in signalling is being able to very quickly switch from feet up/brain off mode to dealing safely with intense pressure and multiple distractions. These days signallers are assessed and monitored to within an inch of their lives and even minor transgressions are simply not tolerated. We do have transferable skills, yes, but what I wanted to convey in my last post is that the role of the signaller today is changing and it isn't necessarily for the better. My advice to young people is to aim high; I can't emphasise enough how important education is!
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| Becoming a signaller 29/12/2012 at 19:21 #39824 | |
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benstafford
88 posts |
Always have an eye on what you want to do but don't specialise too early. Do GCSEs that you will enjoy and work hard at them. Don't forget that Maths and English are vital Science is important and getting the best grades you can will never do you any harm. Picking subjects you hate will cause you to regret at your leisure for 2 years. I always wanted to work on the railway and tried the accountancy training at 18 and BR Graduate training at 21. I didn't get either and subsequently became a teacher. Which shows that you neec to keep your options open.
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| Becoming a signaller 10/04/2013 at 17:43 #43282 | |
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svrdan
17 posts |
Just a quick question about becoming a signaller. I applied for a post last month, and done the infamous Phone test and from the scores, done well at. Got a unsuccessful. Im just wondering if i apply for another post, would i have to do the test again as part of the process??
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| Becoming a signaller 10/04/2013 at 17:47 #43283 | |
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Rickurd
128 posts |
You shouldn't have to, thats why they ask the question "Have you attended a rail assessment center previously?" on the application. Regards Rick Log in to reply |
| Becoming a signaller 10/04/2013 at 17:47 #43284 | |
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jwsetford
164 posts |
probably. but i wont know as i got through to being a signaller straight away.
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| Becoming a signaller 10/04/2013 at 18:17 #43290 | |
Steamer
3985 posts |
" said:probably. but i wont know as i got through to being a signaller straight away.Which box did you work? "Don't stress/ relax/ let life roll off your backs./ Except for death and paying taxes/ everything in life.../ is only for now." (Avenue Q) Log in to reply |
| Becoming a signaller 19/06/2013 at 12:25 #45811 | |
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svrdan
17 posts |
With regards to assesment centres for signallers, is it the same format as those for train drivers???. I.e.2 strikes and your out with a soix month wait inbetween???
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