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A career as a signaller

headshot119

headshot119

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It's 10 weeks, with an extra day in week 11 for your final assessment.

I believe no one that started after 01/03/20 has been put on the apprenticeship scheme while they catch up with people previously started on it.
 
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amanda08

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Roy.C. said:
Hi all

Hope everyone is well and keeping safe.

I’m a newbie on this so apologies in advance if it’s already been covered!

I start my training in York in a week; and join post tomorrow.
Has anyone recently started/finished or still currently in the training? What’s the environment etc like due to the pandemic, is it safe etc; and can anyone kindly confirm if the Apprenticeship has definitely lapsed and it’s all now in-house; and if it’s definitely 10 weeks now and not 12?

Sorry I haven’t been provided any information so far, so I’m very intrigued; and especially now that I’ve left a long term role to join NR; and the nerves and panic are all proper kicking in now!!

Thanks
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I'm just about to start week two. York is a great place to train. The environment feels very safe and there is a good atmosphere. No apprenticeship now (not sure if that's permanent or not) As said it's 10 weeks, plus the extra week 11 with the one day assessment. There is a week break starting 31st August so that extends the course by a week. If you are also doing TCB conversion, you would be a total of 13 weeks at York.
 
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Roy.C.

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amanda08 said:
I'm just about to start week two. York is a great place to train. The environment feels very safe and there is a good atmosphere. No apprenticeship now (not sure if that's permanent or not) As said it's 10 weeks, plus the extra week 11 with the one day assessment. There is a week break starting 31st August so that extends the course by a week. If you are also doing TCB conversion, you would be a total of 13 weeks at York.
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Thanks so much for your reply Amanda, sums most of it up. I guess I’ll be finding out tomorrow at base whether I’m doing the TCB or not.
 
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Joshevans1013

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2 Aug 2020
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Swansea
Hi all,

About to apply for a signaller position in South Wales. Any tips or best way to answer the questions? Coming from a call centre background
 
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Signaller2020

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will220498 said:
Hi there,

Just wondering if anyone had heard back from the Ashford grade 8, been stuck on Test Complete for a couple of weeks now (which I think is pretty normal?)

Cheers!
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I wouldn't get too hung up on wait times. I still have plenty of applications sat at test completed from February. I used to check my account daily, but now I just take a look every now and again as I was driving myself up the wall. The best way in all honesty. In the mean time I would just take as much info as you can from this thread and prepare plenty of examples of the 8 NTS incase you get an interview.
 
WL113

WL113

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I can't remember whether I've already mentioned this, It's worth keeping an eye out for jobs at Birmingham New Street Station. The train dispatchers are actually on Signaller Grade 1 pay, terms and conditions. Over the last couple of years several new Signallers have come from previous jobs at the station, either from Train Dispatch or Customer Service Assistant roles.

Another way in is as a TDA Clerk, these are Signaller Grade 5 pay.
 
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GMac1502

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Medical passed just waiting on drug / alcohol results but thats a formality as dont do either
 
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olilee2

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WL113 said:
I can't remember whether I've already mentioned this, It's worth keeping an eye out for jobs at Birmingham New Street Station. The train dispatchers are actually on Signaller Grade 1 pay, terms and conditions. Over the last couple of years several new Signallers have come from previous jobs at the station, either from Train Dispatch or Customer Service Assistant roles.

Another way in is as a TDA Clerk, these are Signaller Grade 5 pay.
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I’m a dispatcher at the moment (for Southen) and that experience seems to have got me several interviews in the pipeline, just hoping one works out!
 
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will220498

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Thanks for replying! This definitely appears to be a waiting game. I've been through the forum and there's loads of good stuff on here which is mega. I have no railway background/experience and up until March I was a Flybe pilot, do you think applying for such a high-grade position is a tad optimistic?

Cheers
 
MostlyHarmless

MostlyHarmless

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will220498 said:
Thanks for replying! This definitely appears to be a waiting game. I've been through the forum and there's loads of good stuff on here which is mega. I have no railway background/experience and up until March I was a Flybe pilot, do you think applying for such a high-grade position is a tad optimistic?

Cheers
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No not at all. Lots of people on here have gone into grade 7 and 8 positions who were 'off the street' - myself included. I'm sure your experience as a pilot will help should you get offered an interview.

Good luck!
 
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jossh78

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Uttoxeter
Good Afternoon all, long time lurker since November and have enjoyed daily updates on the journeys of a few of you, Amanda’s, Kraken et al as well as the advice and experience of Tom and LOM.

I have applied for half a dozen positions but so far haven’t reached the interview stage, although late last week received some emails from recruitment advising that a signalling position I had applied for had been withdrawn and invited me to apply for the ”future opportunities“ role for the East Midlands which I have done. Other applications turned to unsuccessful ( Uttoxeter, Stoke ) same as MattP7.

Today received an email saying that on August 21st recruitment would let me know if I am to be invited to complete a virtual assessment..( maybe the same SHL tests already completed ? ) and video interview.
Seems like NR are changing the recruitment process, or possibly just because it is a “future opportunities role” ?
 
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LOM

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will220498 said:
Thanks for replying! This definitely appears to be a waiting game. I've been through the forum and there's loads of good stuff on here which is mega. I have no railway background/experience and up until March I was a Flybe pilot, do you think applying for such a high-grade position is a tad optimistic?

Cheers
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With your experience as a pilot you will ace the interview and probably make an excellent signaller. Your skills are very transferrable and aiming for a higher grade position is exactly what I would expect.

The only slight concern I would have as a hiring manager would be that if the aviation industry picks up again in a couple of years would you be renewing your license and going flying again. But the positive aspects of employing someone who has proven experience of staying calm, multi-tasking, making decisions and safety critical communications would very much outweigh that risk.
 
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endofthetunnel

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jossh78 said:
Today received an email saying that on August 21st recruitment would let me know if I am to be invited to complete a virtual assessment..( maybe the same SHL tests already completed ? ) and video interview.
Seems like NR are changing the recruitment process, or possibly just because it is a “future opportunities role” ?
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If it’s the same as the current intake of Future Opportunities then the virtual assessments are different to the SHL ones. I found them harder to be honest but obviously did ok as I got the job!

There was an inductive reasoning and a deductive reasoning test, lots of practise ones available on the net which are similar questions and good to do, although the actual user interface of the tests was very different to what I found anywhere else.

Next steps if successful would be then a virtual scenario interview (a few recorded “Imagine you’re doing x and then y happens, what do you do?” Questions to answer) and then if successful again, a real interview.

Good luck!
 
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AirCon888

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I too have received the email, inviting me to apply to the future opportunities role at the East Midlands, with a host of other applications being changed to unsuccessful. Although my Stoke application has changed to pending invite for assessment 2. Does anybody have any info on the Stoke Signalling Control Centre, in regards to shifts etc.?
 
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MrsP2010

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Sorry to ask such a girlie question, but what do you wear to signalling school? Is it business attire (trousers and shirt/blouse) or smart jeans/t-shirt? Thanks :s
 
Horizon22

Horizon22

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As a long time lurker of this thread who has considered signalling in future it is - as always - filled with informative replies.

As someone who comes from a control background I wanted to ask (probably more to those in ROCs but need not be) what has your general experience been dealing with TOC and NR contols? Is the communication generally good?
 
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railwaymania27

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I have just passed the tests for the signaller position in Mobberley. Just waiting to see if I get interviewed now. First time I have applied. I am not sure if my background roles make me a suitable candidate but will have to see. Wish someone could look through my application. It is a grade 2 position so who knows? Once your in is it easier to climb the ladder?
 
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Saracen_83

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Tom Quinne said:
Range from exceptionally supportive, to total crap/waste of space.
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This

amount of times they make a decision that just defies logic and creates more of a problem/delay!!! :D

but like you say, depends who is on shift, some are really good and pro active, others, not so much!!

probably exactly the same as signallers;)
 
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amanda08

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MrsP2010 said:
Sorry to ask such a girlie question, but what do you wear to signalling school? Is it business attire (trousers and shirt/blouse) or smart jeans/t-shirt? Thanks :s
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I’m wearing either trousers with a t shirt, jeans with a shirt etc. It’s not overly dressy - think smart casual. Some are dressier than others do whatever you are comfortable with, but no ripped jeans, trainers etc
 
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