SWR - Guards Recruitment and Discussion

[winks]

Metro Guards are expected to check and scan tickets these days so the only real difference is that Commercial Guards have cash handling responsibilities and can sell tickets.

Not once in 10 years of travelling on SWR have I seen a Metro Guard check a ticket.

They don’t even have the equipment to do it

 

[I_am_Nobody]

Not once in 10 years of travelling on SWR have I seen a Metro Guard check a ticket.

They don’t even have the equipment to do it

It's a newly agreed addition to the role, agreed with the Union several years ago and finally being progressed now that the roll-out of the 701s is... well, politely said: somewhat progressing. They will be asked to pick up RIDs (Revenue Inspection Devices) which allow them to tap contactless and smart-cards. They still won't be able to check actual tickets with these and this is still being kept to Commercial Guards, but Metro Guards will be asked to do visual inspections on these, which are obviously not infallible!

 

[DMckduck]

Cheers bud. Never seen them advertise for Waterloo, must be popular I’m guessing?

Depots with Metro/commercial dont advertise commercial vacancies externally

 

[winks]

It's a newly agreed addition to the role, agreed with the Union several years ago and finally being progressed now that the roll-out of the 701s is... well, politely said: somewhat progressing. They will be asked to pick up RIDs (Revenue Inspection Devices) which allow them to tap contactless and smart-cards. They still won't be able to check actual tickets with these and this is still being kept to Commercial Guards, but Metro Guards will be asked to do visual inspections on these, which are obviously not infallible!

But they still won’t be able to resolve ticket issues such as non-payment of fares or the wrong ticket.

 

[Moondara]

HI all, I am due to start my training on 28th April, just wondered what the training modules are like and what they cover? Will be training for a Commercial Train Guard role. Thanks.

 

[SWR_DRIVER]

Congratulations on getting the job! It's a fairly intense few months training, but nothing that cannot be handled with some hard work (I joined back in 2017 as a non-commercial guard).

Whilst I don't have the information you're after, I'd also advise against trying to read ahead. The training school will cover everything you need to know, which will take you from complete rookie (I didn't have the first clue on how the railway worked), up to a fully competent member of train crew. There is simply no need to potentially confuse yourself on the run up to your course.

 

[the_bear]

HI all, I am due to start my training on 28th April, just wondered what the training modules are like and what they cover? Will be training for a Commercial Train Guard role. Thanks.

Congrats on the new role!

I think SWR driver has covered it well above. The course is varied and designed to include people with no railway experience so my advice would be to go into it with a fresh mind willing to learn the vast amounts they will throw at you. The trainers and training is very good though I must say. You’ll be in good hands!

Course content covers everything you’ll ever need and more. Day to day train working, signalling, emergency situations etc.. You’ll soon learn that safety trumps everything else.

But as SWR Driver has said above, don’t try and confuse yourself with any potentially wrong information beforehand. Just go in willing to learn and enjoy it!

 

[Moondara]

Congratulations on getting the job! It's a fairly intense few months training, but nothing that cannot be handled with some hard work (I joined back in 2017 as a non-commercial guard).

Whilst I don't have the information you're after, I'd also advise against trying to read ahead. The training school will cover everything you need to know, which will take you from complete rookie (I didn't have the first clue on how the railway worked), up to a fully competent member of train crew. There is simply no need to potentially confuse yourself on the run up to your course.

Thank you so much. I am bracing myself for a busy training period! That is really good information, thanks for responding

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Mar 2025 ==

Congrats on the new role!

I think SWR driver has covered it well above. The course is varied and designed to include people with no railway experience so my advice would be to go into it with a fresh mind willing to learn the vast amounts they will throw at you. The trainers and training is very good though I must say. You’ll be in good hands!

Course content covers everything you’ll ever need and more. Day to day train working, signalling, emergency situations etc.. You’ll soon learn that safety trumps everything else.

But as SWR Driver has said above, don’t try and confuse yourself with any potentially wrong information beforehand. Just go in willing to learn and enjoy it!

Aw thank you so much. Yes very good information as I was thinking of trying to learn about trains and the railway, but will hang fire! Thanks again.

 

[subh9940]

Hi All, I have applied for metro guard role, and I have cleared the online assessment . please guide me exactly what is the next stage like exam details if possible and what exactly they look in the candidates.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 31 Mar 2025 ==

Evening all, I have recently passed the online assessment for metro guard and looking for any advice with the next steps involved as in the type of exams and the questions to practice, any help would be highly appreciated, thanks.

 

[spudknowsbest]

Hey Guys, passed all the assessments and no awaiting interview?

Does anyone have any tips?

 

[BarneyGumble]

Hey Guys, passed all the assessments and no awaiting interview?

Does anyone have any tips?

Hey there mate, I’m currently training and I’ll say you’ve likely gotten through the worst of it. The interview was nice, you’ll be set up with two interviewees who will make sure you feel comfortable.

You can expect the typical questions from a interview. Why SWR, what can you bring, etc. You’ll also be presented with some scenarios, such as encounters with troublesome passengers or confused elderly people late at night.

You will need to look up the STAR method on YouTube, they will judge you by it by its nothing too difficult to understand. This is because they’ll ask you to present examples of when you had to deal with safety concerns in prior roles and so on.

What you will want to remember above all is safety. Any time you used safety critical thinking or skills, bring it up. Safety is the guiding principle of the railway industry and you must show you understand this. Customer service is also essential but be ready to demonstrate that you will prioritise safety over satisfying the needs of the customers.

Conflict resolution is also important. So is being aware of other people with disabilities and mental health concerns, being empathetic is another cornerstone for SWR and you will be doing yourself a huge service if you can show genuine compassion for the vulnerable people in society. Being visible and proactive is a huge plus, the company isn’t interested in guards who think the job entails sitting in the cab and dispatching the train. You need to be looking out for the people onboard.

Finally, just be someone who is approachable in the interview. They aren’t expecting you to be a cold professional and they aren’t looking to catch you out. You’ve done well to get this far, the fact you’re here shows you care enough about the job to research it so you are in a good place already. Do some more research about this forum, I found it a great resource. You’ll be fine mate.