A career as a signaller

[muz379]

Hopefully but not at that stage yet but was just thinking about learning more about the role for interviews etc

I'd read all the stuff on the network rail signalling careers website https://operationscareers.networkrail.co.uk/signallers/

There really is no expectation for any prior knowledge of signaling aside from what is on that page ,the most important thing at this point is relevant experence that aligns to the 8 non technical skills .

Best of luck .

 

[lae150]

Ely is advertised as a location for trainee signallers at the moment but does anyone know where in Ely it is? I was under the impression that it was controlled by Cambridge

 

[justym]

Ok, so a lot different from my process then. Hope you do well.

Got news back today didn’t make it through to assessments this time unfortunately just the 6 months till I can reapply

 

[The Difference]

I know there has been a lot shared around the salary on here lately, but I’m looking for anybody who is currently on (or recently been on) a Grade 2 salary that can tell me the take home pay if they don’t mind sharing that is? I’m happy for a DM if anybody has the exact figures and doesn’t want to share openly. I currently have a well paid job and live comfortably, but I want to get into signalling and I am just weighing up the options. Specifically if I can afford such a drop in salary and still live within my means.

I have sat and passed all assessments within the last 6 months for a Grade 9 and was put on reserve, but still haven’t heard. I know my 6 months is up at the end of this month, so I would rather try for the Grade 2 and work my way up than hold out hope on the reserve list.

I do have a salary calculator that I have worked out the base pay at, but I am aware there is lots of add ons (which I am unsure of, hence me seeking clarity on the actual amount)

Thanks in advance.

 

[AMC]

Good evening everyone.

Just reading through and a little bit confused in regards to finding a position whilst going through IST.

I have, externally, applied for a specific grade in a specific location. If was lucky enough to be accepted to IST, would this still apply, or can I rest easy knowing I’ve applied for a specific role, and depending on successful completion of training, this would be the box I would go into training in?

Thank you.

 

[muz379]

I know there has been a lot shared around the salary on here lately, but I’m looking for anybody who is currently on (or recently been on) a Grade 2 salary that can tell me the take home pay if they don’t mind sharing that is? I’m happy for a DM if anybody has the exact figures and doesn’t want to share openly. I currently have a well paid job and live comfortably, but I want to get into signalling and I am just weighing up the options. Specifically if I can afford such a drop in salary and still live within my means.

I have sat and passed all assessments within the last 6 months for a Grade 9 and was put on reserve, but still haven’t heard. I know my 6 months is up at the end of this month, so I would rather try for the Grade 2 and work my way up than hold out hope on the reserve list.

I do have a salary calculator that I have worked out the base pay at, but I am aware there is lots of add ons (which I am unsure of, hence me seeking clarity on the actual amount)

Thanks in advance.

Your typical add ons are Sundays , Night Shift premiums and the premium for working a saturday night .

But these will vary on the location you go to . For instance you could go to somewhere that isnt 24/7 coverage , in which case you might get no nights . You might only have a sunday day turn or no sunday turns . If you go somewhere that is 24/7 with a 4 person roster then every pay period you should have a sunday day & night , a Saturday Night , and 5 other night shifts as well .

Just reading through and a little bit confused in regards to finding a position whilst going through IST.

I have, externally, applied for a specific grade in a specific location. If was lucky enough to be accepted to IST, would this still apply, or can I rest easy knowing I’ve applied for a specific role, and depending on successful completion of training, this would be the box I would go into training in?

Thank you.

If you come in on a specific location then there is no need to apply for jobs during IST you already have a location . You go straight from IST to train there . In fact you probably won't be permitted to apply for any jobs for 12 months .

The applying for jobs is specific to T posts - basically signallers hired into pools of trainees in particular areas but with no predetermined permenant location .

 

[superdic]

Hi all,

I was lucky enough to get the offer in August and was told the proposed IST date would be in November.

Would anyone please share, when will you suppose to know more details about the IST (like where to stay, logistics, exact length as it would pass Xmas and new year eve, etc) all I got now is a proposed starting date, I am not sure if it was confirmed.

Or is that I can only wait and get all these information after my contract started and until I meet my manager?

Thanks in advance.

 

[The Difference]

So I had recently just applied to a Grade 2 position having been on the reserve list for a Grade 9 for the last 4/5 months. Today I got a phone call out of the blue offering me the Grade 9 position at Edinburgh!! Absolutely over the moon!! Any external candidates on any reserve list do not give up hope, as they do really recruit from the reserve list. I was shocked when they called as I expected it to be about my new application. Some things are just meant to be I guess. Anyway, anybody who is attending IST 20/1/25 at Shettleston let me know.

Good luck to anybody still trying.

 

[justym]

So I had recently just applied to a Grade 2 position having been on the reserve list for a Grade 9 for the last 4/5 months. Today I got a phone call out of the blue offering me the Grade 9 position at Edinburgh!! Absolutely over the moon!! Any external candidates on any reserve list do not give up hope, as they do really recruit from the reserve list. I was shocked when they called as I expected it to be about my new application. Some things are just meant to be I guess. Anyway, anybody who is attending IST 20/1/25 at Shettleston let me know.

Good luck to anybody still trying.

Well done pal all the best with it!
I fell short at the recorded interview stage of the application this week pretty gutted 6 months to wait now to apply again! I’ll get there eventually.

 

[The Difference]

Well done pal all the best with it!
I fell short at the recorded interview stage of the application this week pretty gutted 6 months to wait now to apply again! I’ll get there eventually.

Well done pal all the best with it!
I fell short at the recorded interview stage of the application this week pretty gutted 6 months to wait now to apply again! I’ll get there eventually.

Thanks mate. Absolutely delighted! Ahh that’s a shame, hopefully you managed to get some feedback and learn from that, then smash it next time. Good luck.

Also following my recent post, I have a start date 6/1/25 with IST not starting until 20/1/25. Does anybody know what I’ll be doing within that period and if I’ll be paid from 1/6/25 since I’m an employee then? I have asked them, but I’m waiting for a reply. It’s just so I can budget January and not be skint is all. I plan on leaving my current job just before Xmas so I can enjoy some time off over then with my family.

Thanks in advance.

 

[AMC]

So I had recently just applied to a Grade 2 position having been on the reserve list for a Grade 9 for the last 4/5 months. Today I got a phone call out of the blue offering me the Grade 9 position at Edinburgh!! Absolutely over the moon!! Any external candidates on any reserve list do not give up hope, as they do really recruit from the reserve list. I was shocked when they called as I expected it to be about my new application. Some things are just meant to be I guess. Anyway, anybody who is attending IST 20/1/25 at Shettleston let me know.

Good luck to anybody still trying.

This is amazing! Congratulations! I’m sure it will give everyone on the reserve list plenty of hope that they need!

 

[The Difference]

This is amazing! Congratulations! I’m sure it will give everyone on the reserve list plenty of hope that they need!

Thank you. Hopefully everybody else on here that is in a reserve list manage to get an offer too.

 

[endofthetunnel]

I have a start date 6/1/25 with IST not starting until 20/1/25. Does anybody know what I’ll be doing within that period and if I’ll be paid from 1/6/25 since I’m an employee then? I have asked them, but I’m waiting for a reply.

This has been asked so many times

Yes, you get paid, because you are employed by them.
It’s up to your manager what you do but it normally involves seeing the area/box you’re working in, and general new to any company stuff like enrolment for IT systems, e-learning of health and safety stuff etc, and a pre IST e-learning too.

 

[The Difference]

This has been asked so many times

Yes, you get paid, because you are employed by them.
It’s up to your manager what you do but it normally involves seeing the area/box you’re working in, and general new to any company stuff like enrolment for IT systems, e-learning of health and safety stuff etc, and a pre IST e-learning too.

Thank you. Sorry I know it has been answered before and I have read it in the past, but I couldn’t remember how far back it was answered. I put in a LOAD of work reading through these comments and preparing for this job (probably about 6-8weeks worth of research, learning and reading through here) so I wasn’t just being lazy, I just wanted a quick answer after the high’s of being offered the position earlier today.

I thought there was some online stuff, but I couldn’t remember what else was entailed.

Thank you for the reply, it’s appreciated.

 

[jcireland]

Hello everyone! I’m new to this but have been very lucky to get my IST start date for the 11th November @ paddock wood Kent! Anyone else on this course?

 

[AMC]

Hello everyone! I’m new to this but have been very lucky to get my IST start date for the 11th November @ paddock wood Kent! Anyone else on this course?

Amazing, congratulations!

 

[muz379]

Thanks mate. Absolutely delighted! Ahh that’s a shame, hopefully you managed to get some feedback and learn from that, then smash it next time. Good luck.

Also following my recent post, I have a start date 6/1/25 with IST not starting until 20/1/25. Does anybody know what I’ll be doing within that period and if I’ll be paid from 1/6/25 since I’m an employee then? I have asked them, but I’m waiting for a reply. It’s just so I can budget January and not be skint is all. I plan on leaving my current job just before Xmas so I can enjoy some time off over then with my family.

Thanks in advance.

FIrstly congratualtions , glad it has worked out for you.

You will be paid from 6th jan when your employment commences , the first payday after that is 31st jan then every 4 weeks after it .

It is normal to have 1-2 weeks before attending IST , during those first few weeks you will meet your manager , probably visit your location a few times , there are generic e learning modules for all new entrants to the company and a specific introduction to signalling e learning as well .

 

[The Difference]

FIrstly congratualtions , glad it has worked out for you.

You will be paid from 6th jan when your employment commences , the first payday after that is 31st jan then every 4 weeks after it .

It is normal to have 1-2 weeks before attending IST , during those first few weeks you will meet your manager , probably visit your location a few times , there are generic e learning modules for all new entrants to the company and a specific introduction to signalling e learning as well .

Thanks for the reply and well wishes. The time, effort and countless refreshing of emails and overthinking has finally paid off! I am shocked I managed to get in to a Grade 9 at my first attempt, but I knew I had excellent experience in a similar safety critical role, which has clearly helped.

I now know what I’ll be doing the first couple of weeks and it makes sense tbh. Recruitment replied pretty quickly advising the first pay was 31st and I know it is every 4 weeks after that. Not sure how I feel about the 4 weekly pay, but I’m sure I will come to enjoy it when I get used to it.

Thanks again for the information.

 

[muz379]

Thanks for the reply and well wishes. The time, effort and countless refreshing of emails and overthinking has finally paid off! I am shocked I managed to get in to a Grade 9 at my first attempt, but I knew I had excellent experience in a similar safety critical role, which has clearly helped.

I now know what I’ll be doing the first couple of weeks and it makes sense tbh. Recruitment replied pretty quickly advising the first pay was 31st and I know it is every 4 weeks after that. Not sure how I feel about the 4 weekly pay, but I’m sure I will come to enjoy it when I get used to it.

Thanks again for the information.

No worries , the hard work starts at IST though now

Ive been on 4 weekly pay most of my working life so probably a bit biassed but I like it , you get 13 paydays a year so whilst you get paid slightly less each 4 week period you have one payday that you don't have any bills to pay out of .

 

[The Difference]

Yeah I have heard IST is very challenging, but I’m more than ready to go!

Yeah the Wife gets 4 weekly pay at LNER and with my monthly and her 4 weekly it usually works well for us. Me changing to that will obviously change that. I know you get the extra pay meaning no bills one month in theory. I always look at it and think can you actually afford to get paid December and then again 4 weeks later the start of January without using that pay for any bills before your next pay the end of January? I guess you have done it for so long so you’ll know and I’ll find out.

 

[Kay_M]

No worries , the hard work starts at IST though now

Ive been on 4 weekly pay most of my working life so probably a bit biassed but I like it , you get 13 paydays a year so whilst you get paid slightly less each 4 week period you have one payday that you don't have any bills to pay out of .

So true. That extra payment really does make that big difference.

 

[jcdavis892]

Well done pal all the best with it!
I fell short at the recorded interview stage of the application this week pretty gutted 6 months to wait now to apply again! I’ll get there eventually.

Hi justym,
If you want any guidance or advice on the recorded interview just send me a direct message and I'll be more than happy to help. I recently completed mine and felt I didn't do that well but managed to pass. Just let me know

 

[macmed94]

Hi justym,
If you want any guidance or advice on the recorded interview just send me a direct message and I'll be more than happy to help. I recently completed mine and felt I didn't do that well but managed to pass. Just let me know

Hi

It won’t let me DM as I’m a fairly new user; was wondering if I could questions through here if that’s fine with you?

For the online assessment did you have to do a memory test? If so what helped remember things? I applied for G7 ages ago and failed especially cos of the memory but I’m not sure if applying for G2 will have the same tests

Also do you remember the questions you was asked for the scenario recorded interview? And after that what’s left? Is there an in person interview or anything or do you wait to see if you got the role

Thank you in advance

 

[jcdavis892]

Hi

It won’t let me DM as I’m a fairly new user; was wondering if I could questions through here if that’s fine with you?

For the online assessment did you have to do a memory test? If so what helped remember things? I applied for G7 ages ago and failed especially cos of the memory but I’m not sure if applying for G2 will have the same tests

Also do you remember the questions you was asked for the scenario recorded interview? And after that what’s left? Is there an in person interview or anything or do you wait to see if you got the role

Thank you in advance

Hi mate,
From what I've experienced so far G2 Trainee positions, which I've applied for, didn't have any memory tests. Just the usual verbal reasoning things like agreeing with certain statements over others. There was also a multi tasking aspect where you had to answer a short numerical question, look at repeatable shapes in a sequence whilst moving an object to avoid hitting things.

The scenarios I personally had were the following:

1) Describe a time you followed instructions...

2) Describe a time you made a mistake...

3) Describe a time you asked for development

They all follow a similar pattern in which the video gives you guidance on how to answer.

Depending on your current occupation I always reverted back to health and safety such as when making a mistake highlighting it straight away, stopping the task so not to jeopardise the health and safety of me and others etc.

It'll always ask for an outcome to with that I said the task was quickly back in normal operating settings, safely and minimal cost.

Don't worry if you don't have an answer for the full 3 minutes. I spoke a maximum for 90 seconds and this was OK.

I've been informed that in-person interviews are to be opened up ASAP and that might follow a similar pattern in terms of more assessments and questions.

Hope that helps

 

[SNAK]

Finally had my IST location confirmed, Bristol starting on the 11th November. Anyone else on here on the same course?

 

[slushypink]

Finally had my IST location confirmed, Bristol starting on the 11th November. Anyone else on here on the same course?

Hi
Yes I am starting on that course too!

 

[SNAK]

Hi
Yes I am starting on that course too!

Nice to know somebody else from
The forum on the course. I also got an invite for a corporate induction on the 19th November in Milton Keynes but presumably this will clash with IST?

 

[D1015]

I'm considering to apply for a Grade 3 signalling job. I understand that the IST will be the same for all grades (or is it?). Could someone please outline what happens with the IST programme?

I understand its ten to twelve weeks and that you may travel cross country to a specialist centre (Glasgow, Bristol, Newport and York are the four I have heard mentioned) and that you are put up in a hotel for the Sunday to Friday of each week.

I also understand that it is almost like a high school or college course - with revision and such to be done in your own time each evening.

How difficult is the IST as a whole? Having glanced through here I am gathering it is certainly no cake walk in the park but is it deeply onerous like degree or masters level of learning/input? How is the IST carried out - I assume it is classroom environment but how hard are the exams during the time?

Many thanks

 

[Open_G]

I'm considering to apply for a Grade 3 signalling job. I understand that the IST will be the same for all grades (or is it?). Could someone please outline what happens with the IST programme?

I understand its ten to twelve weeks and that you may travel cross country to a specialist centre (Glasgow, Bristol, Newport and York are the four I have heard mentioned) and that you are put up in a hotel for the Sunday to Friday of each week.

I also understand that it is almost like a high school or college course - with revision and such to be done in your own time each evening.

How difficult is the IST as a whole? Having glanced through here I am gathering it is certainly no cake walk in the park but is it deeply onerous like degree or masters level of learning/input? How is the IST carried out - I assume it is classroom environment but how hard are the exams during the time?

Many thanks

Likening IST to a college course is not too far off. There’s a volume of info to take on board which will 100% require revision and effort to understand. Mixture of lecture style learning and practical demos and hands on work on the sim.

The exams? I suppose it’s dependant on how you find this method of assessment generally. High marks are very possible, while they are very failable too.

 

[11_fps]

Hello all, I am 15 and doing my GCSE's later this year
I know this is very early in my life and career but recently (last 3-4 months) I have been considering going into signalling out of school (after A-Levels), I have been a rail enthusiast for many year now.

From having read this forum for a while now I see more people entering this job are looking for a career change from another job so I was wondering if people think that it is a possibility to get in out of school or if I need more experience with the key non-technical skills first. It seems that it takes a while to get applications through as well so I would have to take up another job while I wait.

To be honest the main thing I want to know is if it is feasible to go into this job from school or if I need more experience.