A career as a signaller

[TuesdayWT]

Does anyone have any info on the current roster for the Petersfield box? I found one from around 4 years ago in this thread, but was wondering if there had been any changes. Cheers!

 

[jazzalaa]

Hello, I start my E learning and ITS on the 16th September and was wondering the 75% off rail benefit when does that kick in is it after the ITS, after 6 months or even straight away? Only wondering as I will be commuting by train

Looks like I’m training with you? Had joining instructions today.

Hi guys,

So i officially start on the 16th September. But just had an email through about the 'warm welcome induction' on that day, either in Milton Keynes or Newcastle. Does everybody have to do this? If so, can anyone shed some light of what's involved? It's the first I've heard of it.

Thanks

Hi. I was in the same situation. I had an email saying I was booked on a Newcastle induction but today they have clarified that I will not be attending this induction as it is covered locally as part of the two week induction.

Had joining instructions today.

 

[cpn]

Does anyone have any info on the current roster for the Petersfield box? I found one from around 4 years ago in this thread, but was wondering if there had been any changes. Cheers!

It's currently the same as it's been for many many years, but the box recently voted to switch to 12hr rosters. These are currently being negotiated, and a new pattern *may* be in place from 1 Jan next year, but that isn't guaranteed.

 

[TuesdayWT]

It's currently the same as it's been for many many years, but the box recently voted to switch to 12hr rosters. These are currently being negotiated, and a new pattern *may* be in place from 1 Jan next year, but that isn't guaranteed.

Thanks cpn! Thats great to know.

 

[the_bear]

Hi all, I have my interview coming up in a few weeks. Just starting to do my prep for it and was wondering if it would be worth going and visiting the box at this stage? If that’s even possible to do? It’s for West Hampstead

 

[joestankey18]

is it true that working hours will be capped in the future to manage fatigue? Restricting overtime?

 

[endofthetunnel]

Hours already are at 72hours per 7 days (which is 6 days of 12 hours) or 13 days on the trot. They are meant to be reducing it to 60 hours from 72 but it’s slow going.

 

[joestankey18]

Hours already are at 72hours per 7 days (which is 6 days of 12 hours) or 13 days on the trot. They are meant to be reducing it to 60 hours from 72 but it’s slow going.

I’ve read the target is to get to 48hours a week maximum. Rostered hours being 36-42 hours as the long term working pattern

 

[s01omorg]

Would anyone know if there are any vacancies on the horizon in and around the Bournemouth area please? Being made redundant at the end of the year and have become obsessed with getting into signalling!

 

[endofthetunnel]

I’ve read the target is to get to 48hours a week maximum. Rostered hours being 36-42 hours as the long term working pattern

Signallers base rostered hours already average 35 per week. Most rosters at the moment have a few heavier weeks to allow a longer stint of rest days as payback (e.g. the classic 8 hour roster is 3 heavy weeks and but still averaging 35 hours, then 6 days off in a row)

 

[High Dyke]

is it true that working hours will be capped in the future to manage fatigue? Restricting overtime?

Not all areas have produced 60-hr week base rosters, however the fatigue calculations are based on a rolling average. Some areas have compliant rosters, some have not even bothered to introduce them. I wouldn't say it restricts overtime. With vacancies, there's opportunity for overtime.

My own roster is 8hr 30mins, spread over a four day week, but as a relief I have no base rostered Sunday turns. It does have a couple of weeks with five shifts, but they still make up the 35-hr average week. Where a roster has base rostered Sunday turns, whilst outside the working week, they still impact on the seven days rolling average for fatigue calculations.

 

[Mists]

Hi all, I have my interview coming up in a few weeks. Just starting to do my prep for it and was wondering if it would be worth going and visiting the box at this stage? If that’s even possible to do? It’s for West Hampstead

Yes definitely go visit. I did and it helped me in my interview. Speak to the team who have been contacting you thus far over email to see if they can arrange a date. At the box, gather all the information you can maybe you’ll get to see a couple of trains pass and watch the process. This will give you some anecdotal information for you to offer at interview.

 

[the_bear]

Yes definitely go visit. I did and it helped me in my interview. Speak to the team who have been contacting you thus far over email to see if they can arrange a date. At the box, gather all the information you can maybe you’ll get to see a couple of trains pass and watch the process. This will give you some anecdotal information for you to offer at interview.

Awesome cheers mate. Hopefully they’ll be able to fit me in beforehand!

 

[Swanseajack91]

@Mists Did you get the phone call for an early start? I am now starting on 30/09/24 and signalling school in Birmingham on 14/10/24

 

[Mists]

@Mists Did you get the phone call for an early start? I am now starting on 30/09/24 and signalling school in Birmingham on 14/10/24

Yes I did, but I'm not in a position to start that soon so kept the 28/10 date. Good luck. I'll be pestering you on here now for info as you'll be ahead!!

 

[Swanseajack91]

Yes I did, but I'm not in a position to start that soon so kept the 28/10 date. Good luck. I'll be pestering you on here now for info as you'll be ahead!!

I shall keep you updated !

 

[AMC]

Hi all! Thank you for the pages of advice to read through, it’s been great.

I have applied for a grade 7 position, and have passed assessments and video interview. I am through to next stage ‘assessment centre’, super happy of course, but most of what I read mentions it’s a whole day thing, yet what I’ve had through is to book a slot for a virtual assessment. I’ve booked and it’s around 1.5 hour slot.

Any idea why, or what this will be. Are there many more steps?

Also, is applying for a grade 7 with no NR experience completely unrealistic of me?

Thank you in advance everyone!

 

[FWC7707]

How long does it normally take a signaller, who’s been hired as T-post, to get a box? Wondering if it’s secure once completed IST or if could still be let go.

 

[SalzH]

How long does it normally take a signaller, who’s been hired as T-post, to get a box? Wondering if it’s secure once completed IST or if could still be let go.

I've never heard of any signallers passing IST and being let go. As for how long it takes to get a permanent position it varies greatly, some apply and have a position to go to straight from IST, I've known others take the best part of a year to get a position.

 

[Royal351]

Hi all! Thank you for the pages of advice to read through, it’s been great.

I have applied for a grade 7 position, and have passed assessments and video interview. I am through to next stage ‘assessment centre’, super happy of course, but most of what I read mentions it’s a whole day thing, yet what I’ve had through is to book a slot for a virtual assessment. I’ve booked and it’s around 1.5 hour slot.

Any idea why, or what this will be. Are there many more steps?

Also, is applying for a grade 7 with no NR experience completely unrealistic of me?

Thank you in advance everyone!

Couldn't tell regarding the assessment centere

But it's not unrealistic at all for someone to apply for the Grade 7. That's why it's done externally

There's far more internal jobs than external ones anyway, so the fact they have advertised a 7 externally just means they want a new influx of signallers.

 

[Mists]

Hi all! Thank you for the pages of advice to read through, it’s been great.

I have applied for a grade 7 position, and have passed assessments and video interview. I am through to next stage ‘assessment centre’, super happy of course, but most of what I read mentions it’s a whole day thing, yet what I’ve had through is to book a slot for a virtual assessment. I’ve booked and it’s around 1.5 hour slot.

Any idea why, or what this will be. Are there many more steps?

Also, is applying for a grade 7 with no NR experience completely unrealistic of me?

Thank you in advance everyone!

Hello, I have just gone through the application process for a grade 3 signaller role so cannot comment on if there is any variance to the application process. During my research I also read that the "assessment centre" would be an all day group activity based evaluation, but that didn't transpire. Instead I was instructed to log into a candidate portal and record myself completing several scenarios. Interestingly, I didn't have to book a slot for that I just had a deadline for submission. So it does sound like yours is different, possibly due to the grade? After that I had a final face to face interview (did not have a video interview), then dbs check then medical. If it helps, I have no experience and have been lucky enough to be successful on my first attempt in applying for the role. You have been given the opportunity to progress through the application process so of course its realistic for you to get the job. Good luck.

 

[AMC]

Hello, I have just gone through the application process for a grade 3 signaller role so cannot comment on if there is any variance to the application process. During my research I also read that the "assessment centre" would be an all day group activity based evaluation, but that didn't transpire. Instead I was instructed to log into a candidate portal and record myself completing several scenarios. Interestingly, I didn't have to book a slot for that I just had a deadline for submission. So it does sound like yours is different, possibly due to the grade? After that I had a final face to face interview (did not have a video interview), then dbs check then medical. If it helps, I have no experience and have been lucky enough to be successful on my first attempt in applying for the role. You have been given the opportunity to progress through the application process so of course its realistic for you to get the job. Good luck.

Thank you for your reply!

That’s really interesting, seems like everyone’s experience has been completely unique I guess I’ll find out soon enough, booked my slot which is just over 2 weeks away!

Congrats on being successful! It’s so nice to read the success stories!!

Couldn't tell regarding the assessment centere

But it's not unrealistic at all for someone to apply for the Grade 7. That's why it's done externally

There's far more internal jobs than external ones anyway, so the fact they have advertised a 7 externally just means they want a new influx of signallers.

This is reassuring, thank you for replying

 

[1642]

Hi all! Thank you for the pages of advice to read through, it’s been great.

I have applied for a grade 7 position, and have passed assessments and video interview. I am through to next stage ‘assessment centre’, super happy of course, but most of what I read mentions it’s a whole day thing, yet what I’ve had through is to book a slot for a virtual assessment. I’ve booked and it’s around 1.5 hour slot.

Any idea why, or what this will be. Are there many more steps?

Also, is applying for a grade 7 with no NR experience completely unrealistic of me?

Thank you in advance everyone!

Not at all, people come off the street into a grade 9. If it’s advertised externally it’s usually because they haven’t had enough applications internally.

 

[AMC]

Not at all, people come off the street into a grade 9. If it’s advertised externally it’s usually because they haven’t had enough applications internally.

Thank you for replying! Makes me feel more confident!

 

[the_bear]

Not at all, people come off the street into a grade 9. If it’s advertised externally it’s usually because they haven’t had enough applications internally.

I’m currently going for a grade 9 externally so I hope you’re right!! Got my interview in a couple weeks

 

[muz379]

Also, is applying for a grade 7 with no NR experience completely unrealistic of me?

Not at all , you won't know any different anyway compared to say a grade 2 or 3 .It probably will take you a bit longer to pass out at say a busy grade 7 vs a quiet grade 2 .

You might have some signallers who have worked their way up through the grades over a number of years saying they dont think its right etc , but dont listen to that . You won't be let loose on your own until you are ready anyway .

How long does it normally take a signaller, who’s been hired as T-post, to get a box? Wondering if it’s secure once completed IST or if could still be let go.

Totally varies , and really depends to some degree on your own preferences , IE are you prepared to travel a bit further and apply for everything just to get in a box. Or do you want to wait for a vacancy at somewhere closer to home or that suits in other ways. You won't be let go if you don't have a job to go to come the end of IST , your manager will choose a box in the area you are allocated to train and you will train and pass out there to get qualified , a lot of the time it will be a box they either already have a vacancy at or know someone is leaving/retiring from soon . Obviously its just a nice feeling if you do get a box/location that you want before the end of IST knowing that you are going there straight away to start training .

 

[AMC]

I’m currently going for a grade 9 externally so I hope you’re right!! Got my interview in a couple weeks

This is exciting! Good luck!

If you don’t mind can I ask you what steps you’ve done on the online portal? Mine doesn’t seem to fall inline with anything I have read so just wondering what is to come next! Thank you!

Not at all , you won't know any different anyway compared to say a grade 2 or 3 .It probably will take you a bit longer to pass out at say a busy grade 7 vs a quiet grade 2 .

You might have some signallers who have worked their way up through the grades over a number of years saying they dont think its right etc , but dont listen to that . You won't be let loose on your own until you are ready anyway .


Totally varies , and really depends to some degree on your own preferences , IE are you prepared to travel a bit further and apply for everything just to get in a box. Or do you want to wait for a vacancy at somewhere closer to home or that suits in other ways. You won't be let go if you don't have a job to go to come the end of IST , your manager will choose a box in the area you are allocated to train and you will train and pass out there to get qualified , a lot of the time it will be a box they either already have a vacancy at or know someone is leaving/retiring from soon . Obviously its just a nice feeling if you do get a box/location that you want before the end of IST knowing that you are going there straight away to start training .

Thank you for replying! This is great thank you.

 

[Buckshee]

Anyone on here starting the IST course in Preston on the 7th of October?

 

[Paul1050]

Looking to apply again for a signaller position after having to decline an interview earlier this year. It’s asking me to do the Signaller online assessment again but I thought the results lasted 12 months so I did not need to redo ?
Anyone help or advise ?

Many thanks

Just seen the note in the email asking to contact them if I have done the tests within the last 6months as results still valid…… March 15th, so missed the 6 months by 10 days…bugger

 

[Ducatist4]

Think its always been six months.