Young Person looking to Working on trains

Hi

I currently have the dream to work on train like a Conductor, As i have passion for Traveling and give the best customer experiance. I dont know where to start and when start, as going to collage from september after finshing my current Collage course. What makes it even harder is that i got Special Needs with Austism and Dyspraxia. I dont think i will get through the process.

I'm thinking will in collage apply for a job in retail or on Stations like Manchester Pic or Vic.

If did apply in summer i would Join Northern Newton Heath Depot as that the nearest but are crews based there and what routes run out of there

This my First post so be kind

Mikeytraveler said:

Hi

I currently have the dream to work on train like a Conductor, As i have passion for Traveling and give the best customer experiance. I dont know where to start and when start, as going to collage from september after finshing my current Collage course. What makes it even harder is that i got Special Needs with Austism and Dyspraxia. I dont think i will get through the process.

I'm thinking will in collage apply for a job in retail or on Stations like Manchester Pic or Vic.

If did apply in summer i would Join Northern Newton Heath Depot as that the nearest but are crews based there and what routes run out of there

This my First post so be kind

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Hi,

I'm not sure what affect your conditions will have on applications so I will let someone else address that.

As far as Conductor jobs go, most TOCs (Train Operating Companies) require you to have atleast 2 years experience in customer facing/cash handling jobs. So if you are looking to parachute straight into a Conductor/Guard job then you will need to get yourself a full/part time job to gain the above experience first. Difficult as a student I know, but it would also help if you can provide evidence of previous shift work.

You also need to have some sort of private transport available that will enable you to get to your booking on point/station at any time of day/night.

This is not a dig and as above I have next to no knowledge of your conditions so apologies if the following point is a result of those, but you need to work on your spelling and grammar as they will (unless reasonably excused by a disability/condition) work against you.

If you want to join as Customer Service/ Platform Staff then cash handling experience will not be necessary but customer service experience will help boost your application.

In all safety critical posts (platform staff, Driver, Guard/Conductor etc) you will be responsible for passengers and/or expensive infrastructure therefore having previous job experience where you have considerable responsibilities will help stand out.

Depending how you interact with large numbers of strangers/peed off passengers you might be better of starting in a Customer Service/Information booth type job.

Good Luck.

Maintenance Depot Drivers are the only crews based at Newton Heath. Its an exceptional role but one which is hard to get, certainly not something for beginners to the industry.

Conductors are based at Man Vic and Man Picc and there is a lot of them so theres going to be lots of opportunities. You can get into the role either directly or by starting as platform staff then making an internal move to conductor.

Hi, welcome to the forum!

Not to detract from the advice the others have given - it's all excellent - but another option for you may be to try working in onboard catering.

There's several reasons for this:

1. You're in the rail industry - it's much easier to get another job on the railways once you're already there.

2. It's cash handling and customer service experience - as the others have said, you need cash handling OR customer service experience. You'll have both, and will be looked upon favorably for it.

3. You'll gain experience of working alone, working onboard trains and dealing with the traveling public - onboard CSAs are often regarded as the public face of the operation by TOCs.

4. You'll get to know the Train Managers/Conductors, and it's not impossible that you may meet management in the course of your duties. If they remember you as the person that gave you excellent service on their way in to work one day, they're more likely to take you on.

5. Onboard CSAs usually have a sales target of some sort. If you meet it, you can demonstrate to whoever you're applying to that you have a strong work ethic.

Of course, most of these points apply to the other roles already mentioned.

Good luck, and if you have any questions, feel free to send me a message/reply to this post.

Mickey, your Autism should not be a problem as I have several colleagues I know who are Autisic. However Dyspraxia could very well present a problem when applying for safety critical roles such as driver, guard/conductor and train dispatcher. Your best bet would be to contact the relevant TOC's recruitment before applying. As an alternative you could always consider applying for ticket office, gateline or revenue protection roles. I hope this is of some help to you.

Thank You every for the kind words or advice. I currently half way through a work placement at a Hospital and the kind placement i been around the hospital has been, Working private document in Health Records, Then a ward doing jobs like going shop for patients, helping to get what there need, my next place is Physio Outpatients working on desk.

I got a place on a course learning Buisness, Admin, Retail, Travel and Tourism

To get to vic station will be abit of channlage as i no over method other than unreaiable bus service and tram line

I was hoping that newton heath was base but i not

I was thinking of start out my career in supermarket or Station on customer Service. I dont want to be driver or cook

Mikeytraveler - there are different types of Dyspraxia and these each vary in severity. Perhaps you should share your ambition with your MD who will advise you on whether you realistically have a chance. Any future employer will require a statement from your MD at some point anyway.

jeffmartin1955 said:

Mikeytraveler - there are different types of Dyspraxia and these each vary in severity. Perhaps you should share your ambition with your MD who will advise you on whether you realistically have a chance. Any future employer will require a statement from your MD at some point anyway.

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Thank You Jeffmartin1955 for noticng that. What do you meand by MD?

I know this sound repated but i just want get my true opions out there.

I Have Austism but i dose not effact my every day buiness
I Hava Dysparixa but Occanissle that dose affact me right bad as my leg hurt all day every day. On the other Hand i cope will really and i dont let of my condition affect me.

My long term dream is to be conductor, I would Settle at any of these - Ticket Selling, Ticket Checking, Platforms, Information desk or platform display inform, Train Station Shops Keepers and Station Cleaner.

At the current Moment my local Train Stations Are Manchester All Stations, The Depots are Newton Heath and Manchesters.

If i dont straight way go into rail, i will go in to Supermarket Work as retail Assiant. That way i get experiance to become conductor as both role are simler.

I currently getting some experaince as i work at a hospitail just doing helping work, not clincal. I worked Offices envoirment and Wards doing thing like handling patients money Etc.

I hope this post is more useful

Mikeytraveler said:

Hi

I currently have the dream to work on train like a Conductor, As i have passion for Traveling and give the best customer experiance. I dont know where to start and when start, as going to collage from september after finshing my current Collage course. What makes it even harder is that i got Special Needs with Austism and Dyspraxia. I dont think i will get through the process.

I'm thinking will in collage apply for a job in retail or on Stations like Manchester Pic or Vic.

If did apply in summer i would Join Northern Newton Heath Depot as that the nearest but are crews based there and what routes run out of there

This my First post so be kind

Click to expand...

Hi there, do you need to take any medication? If so the first thing is to check whether any medication you are taking is acceptable for a SC post.

As mentioned above I do feel that you may need to proof read your writing and spell check it as this will help you in the future with any applications.

Your best approach would be to finish your education and maybe if you can get a part time job that includes customer service face to face and possible money handling, gain as much experience as you can related to jobs you are looking for.

In my opinion I feel you maybe trying to run before you can walk a little, you are still young and have plenty of time to gain the preferred role you seek, good luck fella.

TDK said:

Hi there, do you need to take any medication? If so the first thing is to check whether any medication you are taking is acceptable for a SC post.

As mentioned above I do feel that you may need to proof read your writing and spell check it as this will help you in the future with any applications.

Your best approach would be to finish your education and maybe if you can get a part time job that includes customer service face to face and possible money handling, gain as much experience as you can related to jobs you are looking for.

In my opinion I feel you maybe trying to run before you can walk a little, you are still young and have plenty of time to gain the preferred role you seek, good luck fella.

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Thank You for slowing my horse down i will be looking at supermarket work as retail assitant

I would just like to remind everyone that the OP has autism, so taking things too far off-topic is not a good idea. If you were not previously aware of this, please bear it in mind for future discussion.

Meanwhile please do not put other grades down as different jobs require different skills. While certain jobs may well require skills in comparatively more areas, it is most disrespectful to allege that certain roles are more suitable for new entrants to the industry because they are "easier". All jobs present different challenges and being capable in one certainly does not mean being capable in another for anyone.

If anyone feels that a particular role would be suitable for the OP, please detail the reasons why without putting down another grade. Thanks.