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London Underground - CSA1 / CSA2 - Recruitment and Discussion

bluegoblin7

Established Member
Joined
10 May 2011
Messages
1,723
Location
JB/JP/JW
yeah i kind of expected training to slow down/cease over the festive period. would that have any impact on new starters who start training in january/february though?
Like I say, it’s impossible to predict. If you’ve got a confirmed training date I’d suspect not (my own CSA course was in January 10 years ago!) but things can and do change, especially if you haven’t yet signed a contract.
 
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Random673

Member
Joined
16 May 2024
Messages
58
Location
London
Like I say, it’s impossible to predict. If you’ve got a confirmed training date I’d suspect not (my own CSA course was in January 10 years ago!) but things can and do change, especially if you haven’t yet signed a contract.
that’s fair enough, thank you for the heads up though. i guess time will tell! yeah my date is in February so it’s still a bit away.
 

Random673

Member
Joined
16 May 2024
Messages
58
Location
London
Hopefully my training goes ahead, waiting for contract now :)
yeah you should be expecting your contract soon then. i’m sure if there has been any change in circumstances based off what’s been said here that they will get in touch. if nothing’s been said, i’d take it as a good thing!
 

NateoC4

New Member
Joined
16 Dec 2024
Messages
2
Location
ruby
Like I say, it’s impossible to predict. If you’ve got a confirmed training date I’d suspect not (my own CSA course was in January 10 years ago!) but things can and do change, especially if you haven’t yet signed a contract.
Hello Bluegoblin7,

I do have a questions though it may have been addressed on the forum but unable to access it.
What’s the process of moving from a CSA 2 to CSA 1? How quickly does progression occur and I keep hearing about self nominating by the staff. Is it putting yourself forward or nominating yourself into the role. Is it true after self nomination and if there is no availability within a one year period you automatically become a CSA 1?
My questions may sound silly but heck no harm in getting the proper information.
 

Mawkie

Member
Joined
17 Feb 2016
Messages
728
How quickly does progression occur and I keep hearing about self nominating by the staff. Is it putting yourself forward or nominating yourself into the role.
Sadly it's a "How long is a piece of string" answer. I know a CSA2 that went into a CSA1 only station and got higher grade working from day 1. They then went into a CSA1 position within 5 months (at the same station).

CSAs have access to an app that allows them to choose (nominate) a different station - usually this would be to get them closer to home (who wants to work at Heathrow is they live in Upminster!)

But... Nominations can also be made to larger, usually central location, stations that always need CSA1s due to staff turnover. So CSA2s often nominate to one of these big stations to advance their CSA1 ambitions. I've not met a CSA2 that didn't become a CSA1 by 12 months, although I'm sure they exist. (Of course, it's not compulsory, and some CSA2s are happy to remain a CSA2.)

Is it true after self nomination and if there is no availability within a one year period you automatically become a CSA 1?
I'm not 100% sure on this, so will defer to others with better knowledge.

What I will say in summary is that "business needs" can, and does, supercede any written policy that LUL publishes - they simply bend the rules to suit their needs.

Edit: there are no silly questions. ;)
 

T103

Member
Joined
17 Apr 2024
Messages
158
Location
London
Just got my contract, it went into my SPAM folder, so keep an eye out for those waiting for it.
 

tanks88

Member
Joined
14 Aug 2024
Messages
86
Location
London
Just got my contract, it went into my SPAM folder, so keep an eye out for those waiting for it.
Congratulations!!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

Sadly it's a "How long is a piece of string" answer. I know a CSA2 that went into a CSA1 only station and got higher grade working from day 1. They then went into a CSA1 position within 5 months (at the same station).

CSAs have access to an app that allows them to choose (nominate) a different station - usually this would be to get them closer to home (who wants to work at Heathrow is they live in Upminster!)

But... Nominations can also be made to larger, usually central location, stations that always need CSA1s due to staff turnover. So CSA2s often nominate to one of these big stations to advance their CSA1 ambitions. I've not met a CSA2 that didn't become a CSA1 by 12 months, although I'm sure they exist. (Of course, it's not compulsory, and some CSA2s are happy to remain a CSA2.)


I'm not 100% sure on this, so will defer to others with better knowledge.

What I will say in summary is that "business needs" can, and does, supercede any written policy that LUL publishes - they simply bend the rules to suit their needs.

Edit: there are no silly questions. ;)
Very insightful. Thank you !
 

asn.15_

Member
Joined
10 Feb 2023
Messages
90
Location
London
My training is for the beginning of January and I received and signed my contract about 2 weeks ago.

So far there does not seem to be a delay in any training as of yet. I’ll keep you guys updated if anything changes in regards to January training courses.
 

itsm4

Member
Joined
18 Dec 2024
Messages
5
Location
London
Hi all, hope everyone is doing well. Tried to find a clear answer in this thread but couldn’t so I thought I’d message here.

Got my official conditional offer for CSA1 Night Tube in early September 2024. I called up and I understand I’ll have to wait a long time (hopefully Summer but even until September/October 2025) for a training date.

I was wondering if anyone here from CSA1 night tube June 2024 offers have had their training dates given to them recently?

Over the phone they said they’re still going through June candidates for starting dates in February / March so I just wanted to get a rough idea on what stage they’re at.
If anyone is in a similar boat to me feel free to reply - so happy seeing so many people finally attaining their training dates :)
 

NateoC4

New Member
Joined
16 Dec 2024
Messages
2
Location
ruby
Sadly it's a "How long is a piece of string" answer. I know a CSA2 that went into a CSA1 only station and got higher grade working from day 1. They then went into a CSA1 position within 5 months (at the same station).

CSAs have access to an app that allows them to choose (nominate) a different station - usually this would be to get them closer to home (who wants to work at Heathrow is they live in Upminster!)

But... Nominations can also be made to larger, usually central location, stations that always need CSA1s due to staff turnover. So CSA2s often nominate to one of these big stations to advance their CSA1 ambitions. I've not met a CSA2 that didn't become a CSA1 by 12 months, although I'm sure they exist. (Of course, it's not compulsory, and some CSA2s are happy to remain a CSA2.)


I'm not 100% sure on this, so will defer to others with better knowledge.

What I will say in summary is that "business needs" can, and does, supercede any written policy that LUL publishes - they simply bend the rules to suit their needs.

Edit: there are no silly questions. ;)
Thanks for the detailed response.
 

Mawkie

Member
Joined
17 Feb 2016
Messages
728
Thanks for the detailed response.
I spoke to.a CSA today that gave me some extra info. He said that after you pass probation at 6 months you are free to nominate a different station group (including CSA1 roles) and some stations have long waiting lists - and some don't. Some stations are more desirable and some less so apparently. Of course proximity to home comes into it too.

On the app you use to nominate, you can see how many people are on the waiting list for each station group and make a decision based on that. Some of the longest waiting lists can be years. You can also see the station rosters so you have an idea of how many earlies, how many lates, and how many weekends you'd get off and so on.

The decision making process sounded more complex than I realised.

He also said it was a £9k payrise from CSA2 to CSA1 (but I have no idea if that is before the 2024 payrise, which is almost, finally, settled - and is 5.9% for CSA2s.)

Apparently, if you don't do anything after 12 months - for example you don't nominate your own station for CSA1 - then you just stay where you are as a CSA2.

All this was from a CSA, so I have no idea if it's official policy. I'm just passing on what he told me.
 

heretohelp

Member
Joined
13 Nov 2024
Messages
22
Location
moorgate
All is 100% accurate

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

I spoke to.a CSA today that gave me some extra info. He said that after you pass probation at 6 months you are free to nominate a different station group (including CSA1 roles) and some stations have long waiting lists - and some don't. Some stations are more desirable and some less so apparently. Of course proximity to home comes into it too.

On the app you use to nominate, you can see how many people are on the waiting list for each station group and make a decision based on that. Some of the longest waiting lists can be years. You can also see the station rosters so you have an idea of how many earlies, how many lates, and how many weekends you'd get off and so on.

The decision making process sounded more complex than I realised.

He also said it was a £9k payrise from CSA2 to CSA1 (but I have no idea if that is before the 2024 payrise, which is almost, finally, settled - and is 5.9% for CSA2s.)

Apparently, if you don't do anything after 12 months - for example you don't nominate your own station for CSA1 - then you just stay where you are as a CSA2.

All this was from a CSA, so I have no idea if it's official policy. I'm just passing on what he told me.
All is 100% accurate

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

CSA1£42,091£44,140£2,0494.9%
CSA2£33,300£35,270£1,9705.9%
Not too bad if I do say so myself, a moment of gratitude if you’re already in, like myself
 

T103

Member
Joined
17 Apr 2024
Messages
158
Location
London
Thoughts on the new uniforms coming out? Do you think that new CSA's starting in Jan will get them?
 

bluegoblin7

Established Member
Joined
10 May 2011
Messages
1,723
Location
JB/JP/JW
It is likely that new joiners will get a mix of existing stock and the new uniforms, depending on your sizes and what’s available.

Getting dejavu from joining 10 years ago as the then new uniform started to roll out :lol:
 

gjeffery68

Member
Joined
11 Sep 2024
Messages
18
Location
london
Hi all just got a email to book my medical just a quick one I have ADHD not medicated never have been and currently in a aviation job and the medical was fine just wondering has anyone been in the same position did they require GP letters ? As I can provide them if need be
Thanks in advance
 

T103

Member
Joined
17 Apr 2024
Messages
158
Location
London
Hi all just got a email to book my medical just a quick one I have ADHD not medicated never have been and currently in a aviation job and the medical was fine just wondering has anyone been in the same position did they require GP letters ? As I can provide them if need be
Thanks in advance
You need to take all medication you are currently using and take all GP notes too if it helps them know if you need any additional support etc.
 

gjeffery68

Member
Joined
11 Sep 2024
Messages
18
Location
london
You need to take all medication you are currently using and take all GP notes too if it helps them know if you need any additional support etc.
Brilliant Yh I mean i have never been medicated and don’t say anything on there but il defo let them know thanks for that
 

bluegoblin7

Established Member
Joined
10 May 2011
Messages
1,723
Location
JB/JP/JW
Declare it. If you can function without medication it won’t cause a problem, but if you don’t declare a health condition and it becomes an issue down the line you’re putting yourself at risk of gross misconduct.

Rule number one of every railway job: always tell the truth.
 
Joined
5 Oct 2024
Messages
5
Hi everyone, I just finished my first 2 weeks of (classroom) training. It was intense but honestly a ton of fun in so many ways.
 

Random673

Member
Joined
16 May 2024
Messages
58
Location
London
Hi everyone, I just finished my first 2 weeks of (classroom) training. It was intense but honestly a ton of fun in so many ways.
that’s fantastic to hear - i’m glad you enjoyed it. i would love to know more about what you guys learned about, if you are happy to share?
 

asn.15_

Member
Joined
10 Feb 2023
Messages
90
Location
London
Hi everyone, I just finished my first 2 weeks of (classroom) training. It was intense but honestly a ton of fun in so many ways.
After the first two weeks of classroom training, what’s after if you don’t mind me asking!
 
Joined
5 Oct 2024
Messages
5
that’s fantastic to hear - i’m glad you enjoyed it. i would love to know more about what you guys learned about, if you are happy to share?
I appreciate it. Your first week is for your CSA2 License and your second week will be for your CSA1 license. I do want to be careful with what I say in case anything is classed as classified that I am unaware of but I think that it's alright to say that. Maybe @bluegoblin7 can inform me as to how much I'm allowed to say.
After the first two weeks of classroom training, what’s after if you don’t mind me asking!
After your 2 weeks of classroom you go to your given station to meet the team and shadow members of staff to get a real feel as to what will be going on when you are out there.
 

T103

Member
Joined
17 Apr 2024
Messages
158
Location
London
I appreciate it. Your first week is for your CSA2 License and your second week will be for your CSA1 license. I do want to be careful with what I say in case anything is classed as classified that I am unaware of but I think that it's alright to say that. Maybe @bluegoblin7 can inform me as to how much I'm allowed to say.

After your 2 weeks of classroom you go to your given station to meet the team and shadow members of staff to get a real feel as to what will be going on when you are out there.
Then after 2 weeks in classroom do you then go to the station and where you remain? Or do you go back to the classroom at any point?
 
Joined
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Messages
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Then after 2 weeks in classroom do you then go to the station and where you remain? Or do you go back to the classroom at any point?
You'll be at your station for the rest of the time. There is still some training to be done but there is a backlog for that so not sure when we'll be back.
 

asn.15_

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Joined
10 Feb 2023
Messages
90
Location
London
Does anyone know if uniform is provided on the first day of training? If so, I’d have to carry a small suitcase with me as I hear it is a lot to carry.
 

Sterlingldn

Member
Joined
30 Dec 2024
Messages
46
Location
Finsbury park
Yes, you'll have to do familiarisations for each station you work at - this is paid so it's entirely conceivable that you will spend most of a duty familiarising. For north east I suspect this will be focussed initially on stations like Finsbury Park, Stratford, North Greenwich etc in addition to zone 1, where there are often big events happening. It can easily take a good couple of hours to properly familiarise at some of the bigger stations.
Hi quick question, how much is the hourly rate for overtime as a csa2? Also do you know roughly how long it takes for training dates as I’ve been waiting since august. Thank you
 

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