Getting a job on the railways

Daveyboy2407 · 14 Mar 2020

Hi, I've been turned down for 4 operative jobs now and was after any tips that would help.
Would doing my own PTS course help? Or maybe going through agencies to start off with? Any info would be appreciated . Cheers

RailUK Forums

Ldn13 · 14 Mar 2020

Hi

Having a PTS or not will not make a difference as that’s something they’d put you on and you’d have it in less then a week.

Id say if you don’t have any Rail experience especially P-Way and that’s the job your applying for, it would be best trying to get some under your belt with some contractors first and then apply for Network Rail. This might help but not guaranteed.

Daveyboy2407 · 14 Mar 2020

Cheers mate

CJK64 · 14 Mar 2020

Ldn13 said:
Hi

Having a PTS or not will not make a difference as that’s something they’d put you on and you’d have it in less then a week.

Id say if you don’t have any Rail experience especially P-Way and that’s the job your applying for, it would be best trying to get some under your belt with some contractors first and then apply for Network Rail. This might help but not guaranteed.

Respectfully disagree. If an applicant has a PTS it’s a big help and a trump card.
If 8 people are interviewed and are all good, but one has a PTS, I know who I’d give the job to.
Taking on new starters is a long process and getting a PTS course, with the pre-testing is not straight forward.

For me, it gives you a shoe in the door.

Daveyboy2407 · 14 Mar 2020

Thanks for the reply. So, can I just book myself on a PTS course and then go looking for a position or do I know a sponsor?

CJK64 · 15 Mar 2020

Daveyboy2407 said:
Thanks for the reply. So, can I just book myself on a PTS course and then go looking for a position or do I know a sponsor?

I think you would need a sponsor. Try a few contract companies, they are often looking for new starters. Once you have gained a bit of experience, then apply for roles at Network Rail.

Good luck.

Daveyboy2407 · 15 Mar 2020

Thanks for the advice. Much appreciated

MT18 · 15 Mar 2020

Even if you manage to already have a PTS pass and then join Network Rail you will be made to do it again regardless. I don't think you having it would boost your chances and I'm just being honest with you. From people I've spoke to in the past within Network Rail they prefer to take on individuals as a 'blank canvas' as many contractors who come in have 'bad habits' and only want to join Network Rail for the benefits and effectively down tools when they get in.

Any contractors on here reading what I have just posted please do not take offense as I don't mean to generalise everyone but just relaying what I have been told.

Ladder23 · 15 Mar 2020

Ultimately every manager/ interviewee (is that a word) is different an all will see and believe different things, some will see having PTS as your trying and it's a perk, others not so.. my experience was just to keep trying, don’t give up. I did come from a background of civil engineering and construction so pway work was something I could adapt to. I remember applying for maybe a dozen jobs before being successful. If your lacking experience, maybe add some stuff in your cv, think hard about what things you’ve done

Steam Man · 16 Mar 2020

Have you thought about going to a heritage railway first to get some experience

CJK64 · 16 Mar 2020

MT18 said:
Even if you manage to already have a PTS pass and then join Network Rail you will be made to do it again regardless. I don't think you having it would boost your chances and I'm just being honest with you. From people I've spoke to in the past within Network Rail they prefer to take on individuals as a 'blank canvas' as many contractors who come in have 'bad habits' and only want to join Network Rail for the benefits and effectively down tools when they get in.

Any contractors on here reading what I have just posted please do not take offense as I don't mean to generalise everyone but just relaying what I have been told.

No you wouldn’t.. If you have a PTS all you have to do is switch sponsors which is a quick email.
And yes it would boost your chances as it’s the first thing I look for when recruiting new staff.
The contractors I have given jobs to are extremely good workers and do not down tools.

Elecman · 16 Mar 2020

MT18 said:
Even if you manage to already have a PTS pass and then join Network Rail you will be made to do it again regardless. I don't think you having it would boost your chances and I'm just being honest with you.

Rubbish you just need to change your sponsor which is easily done by email I’m your new line manager. I did exactly that joining from a Sponsor that had Gone bust

MT18 · 16 Mar 2020

Not rubbish, lads who I joined up with had to do it again, as well with any other tickets they had. Could be different for each region though.

43066 · 16 Mar 2020

MT18 said:
Not rubbish, lads who I joined up with had to do it again, as well with any other tickets they had. Could be different for each region though.

The TOC I trained at made everyone do the PTS course, irrespective of whether they already had it or not. We needed both AC and DC (not every course covers both) and the time was already budgeted into the training

Daveyboy2407 · 16 Mar 2020

Thanks for the replies. I think it's just a case of keep on trying

Chubby · 16 Mar 2020

I would just keep on trying, i tried for about 2 years applying for operative roles, i have just done my medical for an off track role today, the more roles you apply for the bigger chance of finally getting in, best of luck and hopefully works out for you

Daveyboy2407 · 16 Mar 2020

Cheers mate

Recce31 · 16 Mar 2020

Chubby said:
I would just keep on trying, i tried for about 2 years applying for operative roles, i have just done my medical for an off track role today, the more roles you apply for the bigger chance of finally getting in, best of luck and hopefully works out for you

Did you work for a rail agency why you was still applying for operative jobs over them 2 years or was you brand new to the railway when you finally got offered a job?
Congratulations by the way I’ve had a few rejection emails for operative jobs but still not giving up.

CJK64 · 16 Mar 2020

MT18 said:
Not rubbish, lads who I joined up with had to do it again, as well with any other tickets they had. Could be different for each region though.

Competencies are transferable too. It’s all done through Sentinel so regions has nothing to do with it. It just sounds to me like the new hiring manager didn’t realise the process.
I have taken on many ex contract staff and always kept their PTS and competencies going.

RBSN · 17 Mar 2020

Having your PTS stamp won’t make any difference if the rest of your application is poor.

Don’t get yourself hooked up on gaining PTS without first making sure your application is solid.

BloominMan · 17 Mar 2020

CJK64 said:
No you wouldn’t.. If you have a PTS all you have to do is switch sponsors which is a quick email.
And yes it would boost your chances as it’s the first thing I look for when recruiting new staff.
The contractors I have given jobs to are extremely good workers and do not down tools.

Maybe it was just bad luck but when I applied for some posts @ NWR on a couple occasions, I couldn't even get an interview. Kept failing at the manager sift/assessment 2. That was nearly with 15 years railway experience and PTS.

Chubby · 17 Mar 2020

Recce31 said:
Did you work for a rail agency why you was still applying for operative jobs over them 2 years or was you brand new to the railway when you finally got offered a job?
Congratulations by the way I’ve had a few rejection emails for operative jobs but still not giving up.

Brand new to the railway mate, just applied for any operative position that came up in my area, and luckily this time i was successful, i think it can just be your luck at times as to who your up against in interviews, but stick it out and it will happen ,best of luck

Recce31 · 17 Mar 2020

Chubby said:
Brand new to the railway mate, just applied for any operative position that came up in my area, and luckily this time i was successful, i think it can just be your luck at times as to who your up against in interviews, but stick it out and it will happen ,best of luck

Cheers pal and enjoy your new career.

CJK64 · 17 Mar 2020

BloominMan said:
Maybe it was just bad luck but when I applied for some posts @ NWR on a couple occasions, I couldn't even get an interview. Kept failing at the manager sift/assessment 2. That was nearly with 15 years railway experience and PTS.

Could have been bad luck, could have been another candidate was recommended, could have been that the vacancy was earmarked for someone.

There are a fair few criteria each application must meet. Driving licence, CV etc etc.
If you met all the requirements and had a PTS with 15 years experience, I’d say you were extremely unlucky.

Getting a job on the railways

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