A career as a signaller

[Harby2506]

Ah yes that’s good then thought you meant you haven’t done that, they will probably contact you after the medical, got mine next Tuesday

Hey hope the medical went well. You heard anything more about next steps?

 

[feaky4]

Hey hope the medical went well. You heard anything more about next steps?

Hey thank you, yes it went good thank you passed it and kinda, I have ordered my PPE have confirmed an induction day but not sure when that will be yet, got my start date and managers name just waiting for her to call me now and yeah notice is handed in

 

[Leander45690]

I've been reading all the posts on here from the last few months and I think I've built up a better understanding of how to become a signaller - but hope you can clarify things for me.

I'm about to finish university and signalling is what I've always wanted to do. I did apply for the Graduate scheme in Operations - but I didn't get to the assessement centre stage, although I wasn't rejected early on, I couldn't get any feedback. The process was similar - and actually included the signaller assessment. (I was "somewhat aligned" - if I'm allowed to say that - no idea where that fits into the scoring). So now keeping my eye out for signalling roles.

I will be moving back home - to Cumbria, but I am fairly flexible with location for the right job (although ideally west coast and midlands going forward) and aware I might need to take whatever to start with. Would really appreciate any advice you all can give on how to approach applying. I have a few specific questions (although please chip in if these aren't the right ones!!):

1. Are the applications and assessment region/route based? There a number of G2s that have come up for the North East route. One of which is within 50 minutes of my home (it's 37 minutes away, although it doesn't come up when I put my postcode in which is a bit strange!), if I apply would they only consider me for the North East route, or would my assessment score be held for the whole of NR?

2. How does the 6 month rule work in practice? The way I'd read it was that if you applied and were rejected you couldn't reapply for 6 months. But reading some of the other posts, I get the impression they hold on to your scores for 6 months and you can apply for other openings and they reuse your scores, but after 6 months you have to reapply. So if you do OK - but not good enough compared to the other applicants, you can at least try again for other positions with the same score - but if you really bomb you're stuffed for 6 months??

3. Which grade is it best to apply for? Other posts have suggested that if you get to the assessments centre stage they assess which grade you are most suitable for and if it's different from the grade you've applied for they place you in a talent pool. I would hope that my experience with SimSig would mean that I would be suitable for G4+ but G2s come up most frequently (particularly around here) and happy to start at the bottom.

As I say, I welcome any other nuggets of wisdom you can share on the initial application process. There have been some posts recently on the next stage which will be useful if and when I get that far.

Thanks in advance.

 

[SimplyLovely]

I've been reading all the posts on here from the last few months and I think I've built up a better understanding of how to become a signaller - but hope you can clarify things for me.

I'm about to finish university and signalling is what I've always wanted to do. I did apply for the Graduate scheme in Operations - but I didn't get to the assessement centre stage, although I wasn't rejected early on, I couldn't get any feedback. The process was similar - and actually included the signaller assessment. (I was "somewhat aligned" - if I'm allowed to say that - no idea where that fits into the scoring). So now keeping my eye out for signalling roles.

I will be moving back home - to Cumbria, but I am fairly flexible with location for the right job (although ideally west coast and midlands going forward) and aware I might need to take whatever to start with. Would really appreciate any advice you all can give on how to approach applying. I have a few specific questions (although please chip in if these aren't the right ones!!):

1. Are the applications and assessment region/route based? There a number of G2s that have come up for the North East route. One of which is within 50 minutes of my home (it's 37 minutes away, although it doesn't come up when I put my postcode in which is a bit strange!), if I apply would they only consider me for the North East route, or would my assessment score be held for the whole of NR?

2. How does the 6 month rule work in practice? The way I'd read it was that if you applied and were rejected you couldn't reapply for 6 months. But reading some of the other posts, I get the impression they hold on to your scores for 6 months and you can apply for other openings and they reuse your scores, but after 6 months you have to reapply. So if you do OK - but not good enough compared to the other applicants, you can at least try again for other positions with the same score - but if you really bomb you're stuffed for 6 months??

3. Which grade is it best to apply for? Other posts have suggested that if you get to the assessments centre stage they assess which grade you are most suitable for and if it's different from the grade you've applied for they place you in a talent pool. I would hope that my experience with SimSig would mean that I would be suitable for G4+ but G2s come up most frequently (particularly around here) and happy to start at the bottom.

As I say, I welcome any other nuggets of wisdom you can share on the initial application process. There have been some posts recently on the next stage which will be useful if and when I get that far.

Thanks in advance.

1. Technically, I believe if you apply for a specific role, that’s the only one you will be considered for. You can apply for multiple roles at the same time, and if you pass the assessments for that one, the others can use the same results.

2. It’s my understanding that if you pass the tests but just don’t get offered the job, the results are valid for 6 months, but if you fail them then you need to wait before you can take them again.

3. The G2 positions you are referencing are most likely training y positions, so you will be paid a G2 salary during training, but once you have been given a specific box and you are trained, your grade will change to whatever that box is. People can come off the street to G8/9 positions so a grade 4 is possible, however DO NOT mention SimSig at any stage in the interview process, it will not help you, and will most likely hurt you.

This may not all be true as I have never worked on the recruitment side and I think that only they can truly know exactly how things work.

 

[bouff34]

I've been reading all the posts on here from the last few months and I think I've built up a better understanding of how to become a signaller - but hope you can clarify things for me.

I'm about to finish university and signalling is what I've always wanted to do. I did apply for the Graduate scheme in Operations - but I didn't get to the assessement centre stage, although I wasn't rejected early on, I couldn't get any feedback. The process was similar - and actually included the signaller assessment. (I was "somewhat aligned" - if I'm allowed to say that - no idea where that fits into the scoring). So now keeping my eye out for signalling roles.

I will be moving back home - to Cumbria, but I am fairly flexible with location for the right job (although ideally west coast and midlands going forward) and aware I might need to take whatever to start with. Would really appreciate any advice you all can give on how to approach applying. I have a few specific questions (although please chip in if these aren't the right ones!!):

1. Are the applications and assessment region/route based? There a number of G2s that have come up for the North East route. One of which is within 50 minutes of my home (it's 37 minutes away, although it doesn't come up when I put my postcode in which is a bit strange!), if I apply would they only consider me for the North East route, or would my assessment score be held for the whole of NR?

2. How does the 6 month rule work in practice? The way I'd read it was that if you applied and were rejected you couldn't reapply for 6 months. But reading some of the other posts, I get the impression they hold on to your scores for 6 months and you can apply for other openings and they reuse your scores, but after 6 months you have to reapply. So if you do OK - but not good enough compared to the other applicants, you can at least try again for other positions with the same score - but if you really bomb you're stuffed for 6 months??

3. Which grade is it best to apply for? Other posts have suggested that if you get to the assessments centre stage they assess which grade you are most suitable for and if it's different from the grade you've applied for they place you in a talent pool. I would hope that my experience with SimSig would mean that I would be suitable for G4+ but G2s come up most frequently (particularly around here) and happy to start at the bottom.

As I say, I welcome any other nuggets of wisdom you can share on the initial application process. There have been some posts recently on the next stage which will be useful if and when I get that far.

Thanks in advance.

Your experience with Simsig is completely worthless. My advice would be don't mention it on a CV, don't mention it on an application form, don't mention it during any interview ever!!! It is far more likely to count against you than be of any value whatsoever...

 

[Leander45690]

Your experience with Simsig is completely worthless. My advice would be don't mention it on a CV, don't mention it on an application form, don't mention it during any interview ever!!! It is far more likely to count against you than be of any value whatsoever...

Understood - thank you for the advice.

1. Technically, I believe if you apply for a specific role, that’s the only one you will be considered for. You can apply for multiple roles at the same time, and if you pass the assessments for that one, the others can use the same results.

2. It’s my understanding that if you pass the tests but just don’t get offered the job, the results are valid for 6 months, but if you fail them then you need to wait before you can take them again.

3. The G2 positions you are referencing are most likely training y positions, so you will be paid a G2 salary during training, but once you have been given a specific box and you are trained, your grade will change to whatever that box is. People can come off the street to G8/9 positions so a grade 4 is possible, however DO NOT mention SimSig at any stage in the interview process, it will not help you, and will most likely hurt you.

This may not all be true as I have never worked on the recruitment side and I think that only they can truly know exactly how things work.

Thank you for taking the time to reply - I did wonder about SimSig. I guessed it might not be helpful. I've only recently been using it to get an idea of what's involved. I'd always expected to have to start as a trainee G2.

Good to know you can apply for mulitiple roles though. It does seem to be a bit vague as to how the 6 month rule applies. Just have to give it a go and see. I'm hoping my previous application for the Graduate scheme last October isn't relevant as I only found out recently I hadn't been successful - and no idea when the 6 months actually runs from - assessment or rejection.

Thanks again.

 

[cxlla]

Hi cxlla,
I'm in a G2 box and do 10hr shifts. It's a nice job when all is working fine, you earn your money when it doesn't . Rosters differ, I do 3 on 4 off and 4 on 3 off. I'll pick up a rest day working most weeks. Weeks are split early and late shifts. Skills fade can happen so when it's quiet, I'll look at my rule books or run scenarios that could happen in my box.
We have a great team, hand overs are key. Meaning I don't take work home and I can shut off for the night.

Not quite the exact insight you’re after but I do G3 on a 12hr roster.

The G2 boxes I’ve seen have been a simple affair with an up and a down line, probably with a level crossing at the box and maybe a crossover. The ones I’ve seen have been 2-4 trains an hour.

When going well a shift is not hard exactly but it still requires you to be able to tune into your rulebook head and apply them in seconds as anything can go wrong at any time. The phone can, and does, go at any minute that may require you to swiftly put your signals back and make urgent call to drivers on the move at speed. We have no official breaks so it’s worth taking the opportunity whenever you can to make a brew and chill for 5 mins. Once you know your box and your timetable it can become routine though.

Worklife balance is good and leaving work, I’ve forgotten what’s happening by the time I’m 2 mins away from the box in my car on the way home. I don’t worry too much at all about what I’m coming in to. An 8hr roster means less days off but you’ve obviously got more energy to do something outside of work on a work day. After a tough 12 hour shift I’m often in bed an hour and a half after I get home ready for the next day.

Thanks guys. Appreciate it alot.

 

[crt4645]

Hi all, currently waiting on assesment centre dates for a G3 position in Worcester if I hopefully get one, just wondered if anyone else has applied and heard back yet and also if anyone else knows what box the vacancies may be in as no specific location was advertised

 

[calgy]

Hi everyone, have been reading the forum for a few weeks now.

I’ve got my assessment centre interview this Thursday in Ipswich , I just want to know is there any information that you guys would class as crucial in brushing up on? I’m not fussed about NTS’s I believe if have that squared away….

I am starting to get slightly nervous as the days draw closer, could anyone tell me the lay out of the interview process on the day please?


Thanks guys
Good luck to everyone applying it’s a brutal process

 

[kezy_b]

Sorry I am an applicant like you so no advise, out of curiosity How long did it take from getting to the assessment stage to getting the interview

 

[calgy]

Started in middle of Feb mate

 

[Fennel]

So with 12 hour shifts, half your shifts being nights and working 2 out of every 4 Sundays the yearly wage is over £43k before tax, ni and person. Wage every 4 weeks works out between £3400 and £3500 before tax & NI and pension.

is that for Grade 2? i have applied for Grade 3 and in a similar situation with regards to earning, passed the video interview yesterday and now waiting for assessment centre. but worried how much would be take home for G3.

Mine was similar, but the assessment centre was the face to face interview. No actual assessment centre.

And I've got mine after being a reserve candidate for 6 months.

hi mate, can i ask when was it and what were you asked. mine be soon hopefully.

You will indeed recieve G2 whilst training

The expectation is that you will apply for vacancies whilst at Initial signaller training as well .

If you get to the end of initial signaller training without a position your manager will chose a location for you to learn - this may be above a G2 but probably only upto a G4 . You will get paid the grade of the location when you pass out there . You still wont have a permenant job at that location and will still need to search and apply for jobs .

Rounded figures to the nearest £

• 12hr Day - £330
• Basic Week £962
• Night shift allowance £22
• 12hr Sunday Day - £495
• 12hr Sunday Night £475
• 12hr RDW £412

Are you going to be attending IST ?

if so don't worrry about trying to read ahead , learn the phonetic alphabet so you can comfortably use it because you will be doing everyday during training and as a signaller .

£330 per day, is that what you get paid? i am confused, applied for G3 and the salary on their website states around £37629?

Hi all, currently waiting on assesment centre dates for a G3 position in Worcester if I hopefully get one, just wondered if anyone else has applied and heard back yet and also if anyone else knows what box the vacancies may be in as no specific location was advertised

same here, applied for G3 at WR4 just waiting on assessment centre.

 

[muz379]

£330 per day, is that what you get paid? i am confused, applied for G3 and the salary on their website states around £37629?

Those figures were in response to someone asking about the figures for a grade 7 .

For a grade 3 the figures rounded to the nearest pound are

• 12hr Day - £248
• Basic Week £724
• Night shift allowance £17
• 12hr Sunday Day - £372
• 12hr Sunday Night £356
• 12hr RDW £310 .

 

[crt4645]

is that for Grade 2? i have applied for Grade 3 and in a similar situation with regards to earning, passed the video interview yesterday and now waiting for assessment centre. but worried how much would be take home for G3.


hi mate, can i ask when was it and what were you asked. mine be soon hopefully.

£330 per day, is that what you get paid? i am confused, applied for G3 and the salary on their website states around £37629?


same here, applied for G3 at WR4 just waiting on assessment centre.

Fingers crossed we hear back soon

 

[tiptoptaff]

Those figures were in response to someone asking about the figures for a grade 7 .

For a grade 3 the figures rounded to the nearest pound are

• 12hr Day - £248
• Basic Week £724
• Night shift allowance £17
• 12hr Sunday Day - £372
• 12hr Sunday Night £356
• 12hr RDW £310 .

Why is a Sunday night less than a Sunday day, when there's night shift enhancement usually?

 

[The Difference]

Why is a Sunday night less than a Sunday day, when there's night shift enhancement usually?

I’m assuming it’s because Sunday night you only get paid the Sunday premium until Midnight that night. Sunday day, you get a full 12hrs at Sunday premium rate.

 

[tiptoptaff]

I’m assuming it’s because Sunday night you only get paid the Sunday premium until Midnight that night. Sunday day, you get a full 12hrs at Sunday premium rate.

That's a bonkers way of doing it

 

[muz379]

Why is a Sunday night less than a Sunday day, when there's night shift enhancement usually?

Assuming 6-18:00 shifts a sunday night is - 6hrs at Sunday rate , 6hrs at 1.25X hours because its Monday morning and the night premium .

Its the same reason that a Saturday night is worth more than other nights though because you get 6hrs of Saturday night , 6hours of sunday morning . A night RDW on the saturday is actually worth the same as a Sunday night .

 

[Fennel]

Fingers crossed we hear back soon

just had this ,invitation for assessment centre. just waiting .

Those figures were in response to someone asking about the figures for a grade 7 .

For a grade 3 the figures rounded to the nearest pound are

• 12hr Day - £248
• Basic Week £724
• Night shift allowance £17
• 12hr Sunday Day - £372
• 12hr Sunday Night £356
• 12hr RDW £310 .

thanks mate, is this forum give you an option to DM, would like to have little bit of more detail. this is the only thing which is making me bit reluctant going forward . just don’t want to be short on what i am currently getting. would appreciate.

 

[Buiadh]

Grade 3 is around £37.6k
Two 12hr Sundays per month would take that to around £46.3k
Add night premium to give another £1kish maybe over the year.

So without any other OT over your two booked Sundays you'll get £47k.

In reality you'll pick up an extra day or two per month, more if there's a vacancy in the box. £50k+ is realistic minimum.

This is all assuming your box is 12hr shifts and rostered 24/7.

 

[Jordan4321]

Grade 3 is around £37.6k
Two 12hr Sundays per month would take that to around £46.3k
Add night premium to give another £1kish maybe over the year.

So without any other OT over your two booked Sundays you'll get £47k.

In reality you'll pick up an extra day or two per month, more if there's a vacancy in the box. £50k+ is realistic minimum.

This is all assuming your box is 12hr shifts and rostered 24/7.

Also something not mentioned loads is if your have a preference of HROP for bank holidays which can add on the equivalent of a Sunday shift per BH, if not more for Christmas/Boxing Day with just working your normal shifts which can guarantee an extra few Ks per year, as well as getting a 35 hour day paid as RDW instead of a day off (but both of these may only apply if your box is 24/7 and works 12 hour shifts)

 

[VX_]

Hi everyone, have been reading the forum for a few weeks now.

I’ve got my assessment centre interview this Thursday in Ipswich , I just want to know is there any information that you guys would class as crucial in brushing up on? I’m not fussed about NTS’s I believe if have that squared away….

I am starting to get slightly nervous as the days draw closer, could anyone tell me the lay out of the interview process on the day please?


Thanks guys
Good luck to everyone applying it’s a brutal process

Well done for getting this far and good luck with your interview.

Is that for the Colchester position?

 

[muz379]

Also something not mentioned loads is if your have a preference of HROP for bank holidays which can add on the equivalent of a Sunday shift per BH, if not more for Christmas/Boxing Day with just working your normal shifts which can guarantee an extra few Ks per year, as well as getting a 35 hour day paid as RDW instead of a day off (but both of these may only apply if your box is 24/7 and works 12 hour shifts)

Plus if you have a 4 week roster with 2 sundays every 4 weeks generally you can expect about another £1k from your holiday pay supplement as well .

Although where I am the 35hr rest days are rostered RD's and so covered by relief or offered out as RDW following equalisation so aren't always guranteed to be yours .

 

[tiptoptaff]

What's the 35hr RD? And why is it (sometimes) paid?

Total ignorance to the signaller roster/payments set up. My last job was a "clean" salary so we didn't get things like night rates, 35hr RDs etc

 

[kezy_b]

Hi Kezy, don’t suppose you’ve heard anything back yet? My portal is still saying waiting for a date? Been a while now that’s all!

Hi SuperSam, just received the email I was placed on the reserve list, Hopefully you got through

 

[muz379]

What's the 35hr RD? And why is it (sometimes) paid?

Total ignorance to the signaller roster/payments set up. My last job was a "clean" salary so we didn't get things like night rates, 35hr RDs etc

If you work 12hour shifts thenand do 3 shifts every week . This adds upto 36hrs when you are contracted to 35 .

So every 12th week you have earned an extra RD to compensate for this .

Different areas will obviously do different things in relation to the extra RD's generally based of local agreements and practice .

 

[tiptoptaff]

If you work 12hour shifts thenand do 3 shifts every week . This adds upto 36hrs when you are contracted to 35 .

So every 12th week you have earned an extra RD to compensate for this .

Different areas will obviously do different things in relation to the extra RD's generally based of local agreements and practice .

Ahh right that makes sense. That's just the roster balancing the average out surely?

Or does the roster not necessarily account for this properly?

 

[muz379]

Ahh right that makes sense. That's just the roster balancing the average out surely?

Or does the roster not necessarily account for this properly?

It will be different everywhere you go.

Where I am we just have the extra Rest days in the roster , so every 12th week you only work 2 rather than 3 days .

Quite frequently though the roster clerk will ask if you want to work your extra RD as they cannot cover it with a relief signaller, most the time I personally will work it because it just feels like part of my week anway . But sometimes because of equalisation someone that has done less rest days than you might be offered it in my area .

But from what I hear in other areas the signaller whose extra RD it is will be given the option to work it first regardless of equalisation .

 

[tiptoptaff]

It will be different everywhere you go.

Where I am we just have the extra Rest days in the roster , so every 12th week you only work 2 rather than 3 days .

Quite frequently though the roster clerk will ask if you want to work your extra RD as they cannot cover it with a relief signaller, most the time I personally will work it because it just feels like part of my week anway . But sometimes because of equalisation someone that has done less rest days than you might be offered it in my area .

But from what I hear in other areas the signaller whose extra RD it is will be given the option to work it first regardless of equalisation .

Ahh right that makes sense now, I'm with you!

 

[Locky]

Hi all, went for the assessment interview for G2 Trainee Perth role on 5th of March and have just received an email today; talent pool for 12 months.

Not the end of the world but I am a bit saddened. I'm hoping for a call within 12 months offering me a job, fingers crossed.

I wanted to thank everyone here for the amazing wealth of knowledge that really helped me get this far. The knowledge here covers everything from the first stage of applying to being a well established signaller, so I would recommend anyone new to these forums to use the Search function at the top of the page. It will significantly help your chances to ultimately becoming a signaller.

Thanks again
Locky