A career as a signaller

[High Dyke]

It is confusing! When you Google Wymondham the main one that comes up is in Norfolk!
Good luck if you do apply

Ah, but that's 'Windum'.

 

[Signaller2020]

Does WMSC still have a mix of 8 and 12hr rosters? 7 24mth FTC positions have gone live this evening

 

[Midlands_lad]

Does WMSC still have a mix of 8 and 12hr rosters? 7 24mth FTC positions have gone live this evening

8hours and 12s on Sunday

 

[Tom Quinne]

Believe me, that's normal... We've had signallers sent all over England to have a medical. I had my last one in February this year at Derby (about 45 miles away). In 20 years all my railway medicals have been there, but others haven't been so fortunate.

I was sent on a overnight trip to Manchester for a medical exam, nice little night away on the firm can’t complain

 

[LaheyTPS]

Hi,
Anybody know the shifts worked at Beeston Castle SB in Cheshire?

 

[darth26]

I got my start date today for October and my training is taking place in Milton Keynes

Great news

 

[darth26]

8hours and 12s on Sunday

Anybody based in WMSC?
Is it easy to get a permanent role during 24 moths FTC?

 

[Ducatist4]

I notice that there are multiple signaller vacancies at Stoke at the minute.
Does anybody have any idea of the future of this box?
Grade 7 external opportunity is not to be sniffed at.....

Thats interesting - I'm not seeing those jobs on the NR careers web site but if i Google it then lots of signaller jobs come up via various agencies.

 

[headshot119]

They're on the careers site internally and externally.

IRCs 2185962 / 2185963 / 2185969

 

[Sunset route]

Anybody based in WMSC?
Is it easy to get a permanent role during 24 moths FTC?

Although I don’t work at WMSC but still in a large ASC (Area Signalling Centre) all of our new 12 month FTC apprentices (somewhere in the region of 10 to 15 staff and increasing) have all stayed permanently on passed their expiry date in the exact same role and position they started in without even having to apply for their positions permanently or any other role within NR.

To be honest if they were all let go at the same time as they all virtually started at the same time then you would close a major south east mainline for many months whilst NR rerecruits new FTC staff to replace them and that doesn’t make operational sense or financial sense either.

So basically if your not occupying a made up position and are taking up a position on the main roster at your signalbox/PSB/ASC/IECC/SCC or ROC then you’ve got a job for life and maybe depending on LOM or area they might make you jump through some extra hoops just to tick some boxes.

 

[darth26]

Although I don’t work at WMSC but still in a large ASC (Area Signalling Centre) all of our new 12 month FTC apprentices (somewhere in the region of 10 to 15 staff and increasing) have all stayed permanently on passed their expiry date in the exact same role and position they started in without even having to apply for their positions permanently or any other role within NR.

To be honest if they were all let go at the same time as they all virtually started at the same time then you would close a major south east mainline for many months whilst NR rerecruits new FTC staff to replace them and that doesn’t make operational sense or financial sense either.

So basically if your not occupying a made up position and are taking up a position on the main roster at your signalbox/PSB/ASC/IECC/SCC or ROC then you’ve got a job for life and maybe depending on LOM or area they might make you jump through some extra hoops just to tick some boxes.

Yeah, that makes sense wondering how many people they will interview and how many will apply.

 

[LAX54]

Believe me, that's normal... We've had signallers sent all over England to have a medical. I had my last one in February this year at Derby (about 45 miles away). In 20 years all my railway medicals have been there, but others haven't been so fortunate.

I know of a couple of resident signallers at Colchester (Essex) that had to go all the way to Derby for a routine medical ! must have cost NR a fortune, paying full 'peak' fares too

 

[LOM]

I know of a couple of resident signallers at Colchester (Essex) that had to go all the way to Derby for a routine medical ! must have cost NR a fortune, paying full 'peak' fares too

The current system for booking medicals through NRs occupational health provider is (choosing my words carefully here) not as good as it should be. When you are faced with a choice between someone becoming non-safety critical when their medical expires in a fortnight or sending them to the other end of the country for the only available appointment within the next 4 months then....

 

[amanda08]

Is it likely that we’ll be encouraged to drive to training rather then having train tickets booked for us? Given the current advice about avoiding public transport where possible? And if so, does anyone know if most of the York hotels have parking facilities?
Thanks

 

[headshot119]

Is it likely that we’ll be encouraged to drive to training rather then having train tickets booked for us? Given the current advice about avoiding public transport where possible? And if so, does anyone know if most of the York hotels have parking facilities?
Thanks

Your LOM will advise you of the situation, and how you will be travelling, I don't know when your course date is but things may well change between now and then.

The Park Inn has parking in York, as does the Holiday Inn at the race course, not sure about the others.

 

[7Paul7]

Is it likely that we’ll be encouraged to drive to training rather then having train tickets booked for us? Given the current advice about avoiding public transport where possible? And if so, does anyone know if most of the York hotels have parking facilities?
Thanks

The elmbank has parking, we have been encouraged to drive up to the end of our course. Some have drove to the ROC and left their car there for the week,

 

[amanda08]

Thanks both. My training starts in July. I'll wait to hear what my LOM says then. But it's good to know most hotels have parking facilities if needed

 

[LOM]

The elmbank has parking, we have been encouraged to drive up to the end of our course. Some have drove to the ROC and left their car there for the week,

Last time I sent trainees to York it was made clear that parking at the ROC was absolutely not allowed. But maybe that has changed in light of what is happening now.

 

[Signaller2020]

With regards to applying for positions whilst on a 24mth FTC.. Would I still have to wait 12 months before I could apply for a different location or is there no time frame? For example, if a position came up in a completely different part of the country within 3 months of starting, could I still apply for that or would I have to stay at my location for 12 months?

Thanks

 

[ArchangelA]

Does WMSC still have a mix of 8 and 12hr rosters? 7 24mth FTC positions have gone live this evening

Absolutely gutted! I failed two of the three online tests 3 months ago so cannot apply!!!!!!! This is the one closest to where I live too!

 

[olilee2]

Hi there, I’ve just applied for 4 positions in London... Feltham, Liverpool St and both Wembley Yard SB and Wembley Mainline SB. Currently work as a Train Dispatcher at Clapham and used to be a passenger boat skipper on the Thames so I‘m hoping my CV and 69 questions should look alright. Anyone else applied for these jobs or have any idea what the rosters are like there?

 

[nom de guerre]

Good luck! Sounds like you should have plenty of material to use throughout the application process.

Wembley Yard = 12hr
Wembley Mainline = 8hr EWD
Feltham = 8hr EWD

Last I heard Liverpool Street were trialling 12hr rosters on at least some links, but I'm not sure what the outcome was. Sure someone will know...

 

[Tom Quinne]

Hi there, I’ve just applied for 4 positions in London... Feltham, Liverpool St and both Wembley Yard SB and Wembley Mainline SB. Currently work as a Train Dispatcher at Clapham and used to be a passenger boat skipper on the Thames so I‘m hoping my CV and 69 questions should look alright. Anyone else applied for these jobs or have any idea what the rosters are like there?

People from operational railway roles like guards and despatchers do tend to be the type of people they look for so best of luck.

Remember get some good NTS centred competency examples from the interview ready.

 

[Billyc87]

Hi all, is it normal for a formerly unsuccessful application to change to test completed after a week or so? Also is it worth applying for a grade 7 role? Is it realistic having never been a signaller

 

[Gallius]

Hi all, is it normal for a formerly unsuccessful application to change to test completed after a week or so? Also is it worth applying for a grade 7 role? Is it realistic having never been a signaller

It's definitely possible, I was offered a grade 8 position with no Signaller or rail experience. The portal updates aren't too reliable but you'll be contacted directly if you are invited to an interview.

 

[Davrossmithers]

Hello,

I've had my job offer as a Signaller and I have a medical booked with Optima Health, does anyone know how quick you get the results?

Thanks

 

[Gallius]

Hello,

I've had my job offer as a Signaller and I have a medical booked with Optima Health, does anyone know how quick you get the results?

Thanks

You'll find out on the day pending drug test results which I was told can officially take up to 10 days, however it's usually quicker than that. Mine were through within 3 days but I'm not sure if results are being delayed by the virus situation.

 

[Sanatogen]

Hi there, I’ve just applied for 4 positions in London... Feltham, Liverpool St and both Wembley Yard SB and Wembley Mainline SB. Currently work as a Train Dispatcher at Clapham and used to be a passenger boat skipper on the Thames so I‘m hoping my CV and 69 questions should look alright. Anyone else applied for these jobs or have any idea what the rosters are like there?

just to make you aware, the Wembley Mainline position looks like it’s the Suburban desk.

still within Wembley SCC but it is separate from the mainline panels, can be tedious but often used as a stepping stone.

 

[Davrossmithers]

You'll find out on the day pending drug test results which I was told can officially take up to 10 days, however it's usually quicker than that. Mine were through within 3 days but I'm not sure if results are being delayed by the virus situation.

Thanks for the reply, so they send your wee off for testing. Good that they let you know everthing else on the day. Sounds like I can relax if you get all the other results on the same day, drug test is just a formality as I'm clean. Thanks again.

 

[ILoveLamp]

Thanks for the reply, so they send your wee off for testing. Good that they let you know everthing else on the day. Sounds like I can relax if you get all the other results on the same day, drug test is just a formality as I'm clean. Thanks again.

Congratulation, where are you going to be working?