A career as a signaller

[lineclear]

Hey everyone, I’m considering applying for a relief role (already secured a FTC on a grade 2) which is a grade 5 GPR 24%. Does anyone know roughly what salary this equates to? Also is it worth doing a relief role? What are the pros and cons? Do you also get allowances on top? Or is it all covered in the 24%? Any advice would be really helpful! thank you

You'll know which days you're working and which you're not based on your roster pattern, but won't know which shifts you'll work on those days until the Thursday the week before (and these can be changed up to 48 hours before the shift).

This can be quite disruptive. However, you'll get to work in a variety of signal boxes (24% flexible premium covers a large area). Working as a resident signaller can feel like groundhog day sometimes, so the variety may be welcome. You'll also have a lot of opportunities for overtime as you'll sign a lot of boxes.

For the reasons above, GPR positions of at least 18% are reasonably sought after, at least around here. I'd be very tempted if I were you.

 

[waterlooroader]

Finally been passed fit for a position at WMSC after 2 medicals- to say I am chuffed is an understatement!

I have seen it mentioned in passing on here a couple of times, but let me reitterate- if you are diabetic, you absolutely can apply (and be appointed) to the signalling grade. However it is worth noting that you will only be passed fit to work accompanied, i.e. you can work in a multi-manned location, but not a single-manned signal box.

I speak from experience on this, I am type 1 (insulin dependent) and was offered a job at Eggington Junction SB (Near Derby) back in 2015 but was then rejected at the medical due to the need for lone-working. As I say, I have now been passed fit for the multi-manned WMSC.

To those of you who get disheartened when another rejection email arrives- never give up. It took me 5 years, several rejections, 3 interviews, 3 medicals and 1 withdrawn offer to get in.

Now the hard work begins!

 

[Amy1090]

You'll know which days you're working and which you're not based on your roster pattern, but won't know which shifts you'll work on those days until the Thursday the week before (and these can be changed up to 48 hours before the shift).

This can be quite disruptive. However, you'll get to work in a variety of signal boxes (24% flexible premium covers a large area). Working as a resident signaller can feel like groundhog day sometimes, so the variety may be welcome. You'll also have a lot of opportunities for overtime as you'll sign a lot of boxes.

For the reasons above, GPR positions of at least 18% are reasonably sought after, at least around here. I'd be very tempted if I were you.

Amazing thank you for that! Do you think it would be too difficult as a newbie to the company knowing how all the different signal boxes work or do you think it’s doable? Thank you

 

[High Dyke]

Amazing thank you for that! Do you think it would be too difficult as a newbie to the company knowing how all the different signal boxes work or do you think it’s doable? Thank you

Hi. Yes, it's doable. People have started 'off the street' into larger signalling locations, at higher grade. Don't be put off at the thought. At the end of the day it will be how you apply yourself, and have the self belief you are capable of doing that particular job.

Being a GPR isn't always easy, though it's kept me in the GPR role for more than 15 years. For me, the money is just a part of being a 'nomad'. It's the variety that makes it interesting.

 

[CK1]

Not to dwell too much on the disappointment of my “future opportunities“ rejection but my status has changed to “Active application” on my career portal.
Does anyone know if this is in relation to being “fast tracked” for any future positions ?
Thanks all.

Mine is the same, came on here also to see if anyone could elaborate on what this means

 

[RedMum77]

Mine is the same, came on here also to see if anyone could elaborate on what this means

Mine is still showing as Assessment 2 Completed

 

[CK1]

Mine is still showing as Assessment 2 Completed

Maybe as you are on a Reserve list your application is completed, where as ours might be active, due to be completed when we pass the interview stage?????

 

[RedMum77]

That would make sense I suppose.

 

[jossh78]

Maybe as you are on a Reserve list your application is completed, where as ours might be active, due to be completed when we pass the interview stage?????

Sounds like that could be the case ?

 

[Javagem]

A question for the experienced Signallers on here. How was ‘future opportunities’ communicated internally? A guy on the course I’m on who is future ops has been told by his LOM that he doesn’t know what to do with him when he finishes the course, as there’s no jobs and none likely to come up!
Are there plans ahead for more roles to be released? Is that the idea?

 

[Tom Quinne]

There’s always rumours flying round, but if you think your treated like a mushroom during recruitment I can assure you it doesn’t get much better on the inside.

Your mate is in employment, so he’ll be found a role somewhere even if it’s a shadow job covering a long term sick roster.

 

[Kraken]

Finally been passed fit for a position at WMSC after 2 medicals- to say I am chuffed is an understatement!

I have seen it mentioned in passing on here a couple of times, but let me reitterate- if you are diabetic, you absolutely can apply (and be appointed) to the signalling grade. However it is worth noting that you will only be passed fit to work accompanied, i.e. you can work in a multi-manned location, but not a single-manned signal box.

I speak from experience on this, I am type 1 (insulin dependent) and was offered a job at Eggington Junction SB (Near Derby) back in 2015 but was then rejected at the medical due to the need for lone-working. As I say, I have now been passed fit for the multi-manned WMSC.

To those of you who get disheartened when another rejection email arrives- never give up. It took me 5 years, several rejections, 3 interviews, 3 medicals and 1 withdrawn offer to get in.

Now the hard work begins!

Cor that’s a long journey to get the job, you must be utterly delighted - congratulations!

 

[paulfur]

Morning all,got the dreaded email “
Your results have now been received and I am sorry to advise you that on this occasion you did not meet the required benchmark and for this reason, your application will not be progressed further” does this mean I cannot apply for another 12 months,also do the tests for signallers (grade1) vary up and down the country? Turns out most of the questions I got were maths % gross profits etc I haven’t done that since I was at school! Any feedback advice welcome.

 

[Javagem]

There’s always rumours flying round, but if you think your treated like a mushroom during recruitment I can assure you it doesn’t get much better on the inside.

Your mate is in employment, so he’ll be found a role somewhere even if it’s a shadow job covering a long term sick roster.

Yeah that’s what I thought as the company are continuing with future opportunities in other regions so it’s clearly a strategy. I understand the rationale - ie having a pool of people to choose from that have been through Signaller school already Vs recruiting externally and having to wait for the job to be advertised, interviews, notice periods and signaller school availability (and then completion) - this could take a year in reality.
Doesn’t make sense to get the future ops through all of that in readiness for roles coming up just to pay them for a year and nothing materialising, then getting rid. I wondered if there would be a mass job advertising across regions that have already done the future ops. I’ve heard that there’s loads going to come up in the Derby area for example.

 

[waterlooroader]

Cor that’s a long journey to get the job, you must be utterly delighted - congratulations!

Too right mate, had given up to be honest (Hadn't applied for a signaller job for about 18 months) but something just said give it another go. Glad I did!

 

[86206]

Can anyone shed any light on the length of time someone can wait for further advancement on an application

Been waiting for yay or nay since original application in May, with last correspondence being July for "under consideration for assessment 2"

 

[RailNoob]

Just wondering if anyone else is due to start in the NW&C Region end of march/beginning of April next year thats on here?

Can anyone shed any light on the length of time someone can wait for further advancement on an application

Been waiting for yay or nay since original application in May, with last correspondence being July for "under consideration for assessment 2"

I applied for a role prior to securing this one and I was left waiting for 2 months before I found out I didn't make the final sift, honestly its a waiting game I applied for the role I have now in Febuary this year, didnt interview until July (Lockdown helped with that) and am not due to start until march/april next year so my best advice is be patient and trust in the process!

 

[Davrossmithers]

Finally been passed fit for a position at WMSC after 2 medicals- to say I am chuffed is an understatement!

I have seen it mentioned in passing on here a couple of times, but let me reitterate- if you are diabetic, you absolutely can apply (and be appointed) to the signalling grade. However it is worth noting that you will only be passed fit to work accompanied, i.e. you can work in a multi-manned location, but not a single-manned signal box.

I speak from experience on this, I am type 1 (insulin dependent) and was offered a job at Eggington Junction SB (Near Derby) back in 2015 but was then rejected at the medical due to the need for lone-working. As I say, I have now been passed fit for the multi-manned WMSC.

To those of you who get disheartened when another rejection email arrives- never give up. It took me 5 years, several rejections, 3 interviews, 3 medicals and 1 withdrawn offer to get in.

Now the hard work begins!

 

[jossh78]

After the disappointment of not securing a future opportunities role I have taken advice from you guys and girls on here and spent most of today tweaking my CV and expanding and improving my answers to the 69 questions. I feel that the whole application experience was beneficial to me regardless of the outcome and as others have persevered in the past so will I and eventually succeed...I hope.

 

[nom de guerre]

Too right mate, had given up to be honest (Hadn't applied for a signaller job for about 18 months) but something just said give it another go. Glad I did!

Nice one!

 

[38572]

Hi everyone, on Friday I was very pleased to find out I've been offered a position. I just had a couple of questions...

Firstly, the location I've been given isn't ideal. I can make it work, however I was just wondering from experienced signallers how easy it is to switch locations after you've completed your training? Do you have to do a minimum amount of time at your given location? Does a move have to be approved by your manager? I assume I would have to wait for a position to become available at a more convenient location, and then apply alongside everyone else? Or is there the option just to transfer, so to speak? Literally any information on this would be hugely appreciated.

Secondly, what is the pass rate of newcomers? Do a lot of people fail? Is there a good support system in place? I'm giving up another job offer to take this one and am just a tad worried that if it's really horribly difficult I might have given up another good opportunity just to fail this one?

Lastly, including overtime and such, what would be roughly the average yearly income at grade 2?

Thank you all for any help and advice!

 

[Tom Quinne]

Hi everyone, I recently discovered this forum after applying to the future opportunities, and on Friday was very pleased to find out I've been offered a position. I just had a couple of questions...

Firstly, the location I've been given isn't ideal. I can make it work, however I was just wondering from experienced signallers how easy it is to switch locations after you've completed your training? Do you have to do a minimum amount of time at your given location? Does a move have to be approved by your manager? I assume I would have to wait for a position to become available at a more convenient location, and then apply alongside everyone else? Or is there the option just to transfer, so to speak? Literally any information on this would be hugely appreciated.

Secondly, what is the pass rate of newcomers? Do a lot of people fail? Is there a good support system in place? I'm giving up another job offer to take this one and am just a tad worried that if it's really horribly difficult I might have given up another good opportunity just to fail this one?

Lastly, including overtime and such, what would be roughly the average yearly income at grade 2?

Thank you all for any help and advice!

Once youve passed out at your location your LOM (if their worth their salt) will encourage you to progress, keep your nose clean do your job, build experience and you’ll be able to move on. Although I’d suggest forget about moving inside your first two years.

You'll be able access the internal vacancy list, when you see something you fancy apply for it via the business portal. Although you’ll be up against other qualified signallers, you could say it’s harder than an external process as you’ll be assessed on your experience among other things, beware if you apply for job your LOM gets an notification of such.


If you go into school with the right attitude you’ll be fine, it isnt a turn up and pass course the instructors WILL fail you if you don’t put the effort in.

You'll be looking at circa £35,000 on grade 2 pa.

 

[Rockhopper]

Morning all,got the dreaded email “
Your results have now been received and I am sorry to advise you that on this occasion you did not meet the required benchmark and for this reason, your application will not be progressed further” does this mean I cannot apply for another 12 months,also do the tests for signallers (grade1) vary up and down the country? Turns out most of the questions I got were maths % gross profits etc I haven’t done that since I was at school! Any feedback advice welcome.

The tests are the same for all signalling roles. Your results will be held for a year but i think you can retake them after six months. Grade 1 would be a crossing keeper wouldn't it? you won’t be going to signalling school.

 

[ffesti]

Although I’d suggest forget about moving inside your first two years.

You'll be able access the internal vacancy list, when you see something you fancy apply for it via the business portal. Although you’ll be up against other qualified signallers, you could say it’s harder than an external process as you’ll be assessed on your experience among other things, beware if you apply for job your LOM gets an notification of such.

Is there any precedent for moving to another box under the same LOM within that time?

 

[Tom Quinne]

Is there any precedent for moving to another box under the same LOM within that time?

Depends how short the other location is really, I would say get your training done, learn the box and how the job works then look at moving on a little later.

You’ll be surprised how much you’ll miss a little grade 2 when your working a busy grade 8.

 

[Sammy2019]

I have a video interview coming up for a signaller position. Is that the final stage in the process or is there an assessment centre stage too?

 

[Newbydo]

If you have applied for one job, gone through the application questions (The 3 pages with 70ish questions) and then completed the online tests, will you have to go through the process of completing the application questions again when applying for another role (it's a month later)?

It's asking if I want to retake the assessment, or gives me the option of moving straight to submitting my application, but I haven't taken the assesment this time around?

 

[Berryberry]

Hi, does anyone know how many vacancies there were in the recent East Midlands future opportunities recruitment?

 

[Rockhopper]

If you have applied for one job, gone through the application questions (The 3 pages with 70ish questions) and then completed the online tests, will you have to go through the process of completing the application questions again when applying for another role (it's a month later)?

It's asking if I want to retake the assessment, or gives me the option of moving straight to submitting my application, but I haven't taken the assesment this time around?

You have to do the seventy questions for each job you apply for. Your three test scores will be carried forwards though.

 

[Newbydo]

I thought that was probably the case, thanks for the reply.