Just wondering if anybody be had heard the term “contingency signaller” before?
From what I hear, Network Rail have finally acknowledged that when positions become available through long term sickness, retirement, people moving up the grades etc that the cost of occupying these positions becomes high when using ‘premium hours’ because of the length of time it takes to employ and train someone. So they are looking at getting ‘contingency signallers’ who will go to school and then go back home ready for when a position becomes available locally, slot straight into it.
Has anyone here been one or know of anyone who has been one?
In November I joined NR as a Contingency Signaller. Basically, i was brought in to be a 'reserve' if someone dropped out of Signalling School. Its too expensive to run a course thats not at full capacity. There were no dropouts so I have been shadowing at level crossings and doing some basic admin for a team in the York ROC. I start Signalling School on the 27th in Manchester and cant wait to get started.
Since day one I have been encouraged to apply for roles as I am currently on a 12 month contract. Because of the lengthy recruitment process, I currently have multiple Signaller vacancies going on in the background. I would imagine that if I have not found a role in 12 months I would be extended. They wouldn't spend all this money getting me through Signalling School, have me pass, just to give me the boot.
However, I would be highly surprised if you passed Signalling School and you were told to stay at home. You would have to get a role just like everyone else through the usual process applying from the day you join. In the mean time, they would have you in doing something, even if just shadowing.
This is whats happened to me. I can't vouch for what the process will be for future Contingency Signallers. Any questions just let me know.