A career as a signaller

[wingnut1982]

Shift allowances are basically overtime, nights or Sundays, so unless you have to do some specific training overnight or on a Sunday - unlikely but possible, maybe to see a few possessions for example - then no, just basic pay at a grade below.

So you don’t work any Sundays or nights once you’ve passed out of Signal School until you’ve been signed off as competent to work on your own?

 

[Highlandspring]

So you don’t work any Sundays or nights once you’ve passed out of Signal School until you’ve been signed off as competent to work on your own?

It depends on what the local management want, generally most will areas will want a trainee to do a spell of nights at the least before passing out. Once you're finished school the in-box training is all locally run and there is no national standard for it.

 

[wingnut1982]

It depends on what the local management want, generally most will areas will want a trainee to do a spell of nights at the least before passing out. Once you're finished school the in-box training is all locally run and there is no national standard for it.

Ah ok, thanks, that makes sense

 

[Densetsu]

For the Victoria Signaller role, it says you must live within 90 minutes drive, is this accurate?

 

[Horizon22]

For the Victoria Signaller role, it says you must live within 90 minutes drive, is this accurate?

What do you mean by "accurate"? If that's what the advert says, that's what it will be.

 

[Densetsu]

What do you mean by "accurate"? If that's what the advert says, that's what it will be.

You'd think that, and so I applied. Then I got a call saying I live "just outside an hour's drive" (1hr 05m away), but I applied on the basis it said 90 minutes...so it kind of got shrugged off because I couldn't relocate, now I am confused. I don't know if it was an oversight, or what. Just curious if 90mins was the norm for signallers.

Off-topic but they're moving to Crawley in 2022 which is less than 60min from me, but that did little good to persuade them...gutted.

 

[Horizon22]

You'd think that, and so I applied. Then I got a call saying I live "just outside an hour's drive" (1hr 05m away), but I applied on the basis it said 90 minutes...so it kind of got shrugged off because I couldn't relocate, now I am confused. I don't know if it was an oversight, or what. Just curious if 90mins was the norm for signallers.

Off-topic but they're moving to Crawley in 2022 which is less than 60min from me, but that did little good to persuade them...gutted.

Ah I see, that's a shame. On first glance I did find it odd as the norm tends to be 60 minutes but normally you'd hope the advert was correct.

 

[Densetsu]

Ah I see, that's a shame. On first glance I did find it odd as the norm tends to be 60 minutes but normally you'd hope the advert was correct.

Appreciate the replies all the same, just found it weird. I've never known that sort of typo(?) to appear, as the whole "60min safety critical" spiel can easily be copy-pasted across the job descriptions, so I wondered if the HR/recruiter was perhaps mistaken or that there was a different policy for Victoria ROC. Such is the way, I suppose.

 

[ArchangelA]

What do you mean by "accurate"? If that's what the advert says, that's what it will be.

In my experience some mistakes are being made at the moment by HR. Job I applied for not so long back stated 12 months FTC when in fact it should've been 2 yrs FTC (got the info from the horses mouth). The NR fatigue management policy is that new staff shouldn't live anymore than 60 mins away. Another job was posted externally and took down the same day (they put the wrong location down so had to withdraw the vacancy sharpish). We all human and make mistakes lol.
Same happened to me. I lived 1hr 5 mins away-even after the Hiring Manager advised me (because I work with him) to apply for a job and it wouldn't matter being "just over the 60 mins". HR soon put paid to that! Phoned me and asked if I was planning on relocating. Told them "no" so they withdrew my application.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 9 Sep 2021 ==

This is how I was recruited on FTC and trained and had to find a perm role. I got quite lucky a LOM give me a chance working a box for experience(other people in my cohort still have no experience almost 12months on). It's interesting how they do the talent pool thing as in the Eastern region they were 12month FTC but in North West they are perm contracts makes no sense. Being on that FTC does leave you with abit of uncertainty, luckily I managed to get a perm role recently.

Was it 12 m FTC or 2yrs they recruited you on? How the rest of your cohort get on? did they get jobs?

 

[Densetsu]

In my experience some mistakes are being made at the moment by HR. Job I applied for not so long back stated 12 months FTC when in fact it should've been 2 yrs FTC (got the info from the horses mouth). The NR fatigue management policy is that new staff shouldn't live anymore than 60 mins away. Another job was posted externally and took down the same day (they put the wrong location down so had to withdraw the vacancy sharpish). We all human and make mistakes lol.
Same happened to me. I lived 1hr 5 mins away-even after the Hiring Manager advised me (because I work with him) to apply for a job and it wouldn't matter being "just over the 60 mins". HR soon put paid to that! Phoned me and asked if I was planning on relocating. Told them "no" so they withdrew my application.

Coming from a background with a ton of rules and policies around security, etc. I do understand the inflexibility of it being dead-on 60 minutes. As gutting as it is to be 5 minutes out! It's just the 90 minutes bit that rubbed me up the wrong way - as an outsider/layman to the rail industry I was really looking forward to it as a new long-term venture. A lot of my previous role would have meshed perfectly with their requirements. Not to mention the wacking-great pay to go with it. Anyway that's just me whinging.

But you're right, they're only human. If the rules say 60, then, 60 it is.

 

[ArchangelA]

Coming from a background with a ton of rules and policies around security, etc. I do understand the inflexibility of it being dead-on 60 minutes. As gutting as it is to be 5 minutes out! It's just the 90 minutes bit that rubbed me up the wrong way - as an outsider/layman to the rail industry I was really looking forward to it as a new long-term venture. A lot of my previous role would have meshed perfectly with their requirements. Not to mention the wacking-great pay to go with it. Anyway that's just me whinging.

But you're right, they're only human. If the rules say 60, then, 60 it is.

One thing they WILL test if you're lucky to make it to interview is your ability to stick rigidly to the safety rules, so if it says 60 they mean 60 and not 61 lol

 

[LeGrimpeur]

You'd think that, and so I applied. Then I got a call saying I live "just outside an hour's drive" (1hr 05m away), but I applied on the basis it said 90 minutes...so it kind of got shrugged off because I couldn't relocate, now I am confused. I don't know if it was an oversight, or what. Just curious if 90mins was the norm for signallers.

Off-topic but they're moving to Crawley in 2022 which is less than 60min from me, but that did little good to persuade them...gutted.

Did they phone you to discuss this?

 

[Densetsu]

Did they phone you to discuss this?

Yeah I got a call, really pleasant and whatnot but totally by surprise. I couldn't really argue my case much because at the time I couldn't recall where I saw the whole "90 minutes" thing. So I mentioned it, and I think she assumed I must have been mistaken because it was sort of shrugged off and not discussed further. Just asked if I would relocate, which suggests to me that they were probably interested in progressing me if I could.

I've sent them an email, politely asking for clarification, but it looks like I'm out the running either way! How's yours going?

Edit: typo.

 

[Sunset route]

Do you get paid the shift allowances prior to being ‘passed out’ but just at the grade below?

Shift allowances are basically overtime, nights or Sundays, so unless you have to do some specific training overnight or on a Sunday - unlikely but possible, maybe to see a few possessions for example - then no, just basic pay at a grade below.

It depends on what the local management want, generally most will areas will want a trainee to do a spell of nights at the least before passing out. Once you're finished school the in-box training is all locally run and there is no national standard for it.

We are lucky enough to have a separate 16 week training roster at our location which gives all trainees early, late and nights as well as weekend work whether they move on to the 8hr or 12hr link, so they can do or see most things they need to put into proactive after leaving signalling school.

 

[Dandan062]

Weird. Had you previously applied for a signaller role under the new application process?
My application is still 'in process'.

Yes I have maybe that’s what it is. I did email recruitment and they said it was all fine.

 

[ArkUTD]

Good to hear at least there moving forward with the Victoria Signaller roles, mines still at 'In progress'

 

[Trackboy]

Does anyone know if we get any discount to use London Underground. For e.g 75% off on PAYG oyster.

 

[wingnut1982]

We are lucky enough to have a separate 16 week training roster at our location which gives all trainees early, late and nights as well as weekend work whether they move on to the 8hr or 12hr link, so they can do or see most things they need to put into proactive after leaving signalling school.

Thanks. Seems that the on the job training (and the pay that goes with it) is very much a localised arrangement that is bespoke to that location.

 

[SignallerJohn]

But what if it says 90 minutes and you’re only 95 minutes away?

I wouldn’t want to commute 90 minutes and then do a 12 hour turn, and then have another 90 minutes to get home. And that’s without traffic or any sort of road issues if you’re driving. What if your delayed 30 minutes and you can’t relieve your colleague on time?

I’d recommend an Air BNB if you don’t want to relocate.

 

[cowboysfan]

Was it 12 m FTC or 2yrs they recruited you on? How the rest of your cohort get on? did they get jobs?

I was employed on a 12month FTC but now have a perm role which I am waiting for my current LOM to give a release date for. I think out of the 10 people in my cohort 2 already had perm roles, 8 of us were all 12 month FTC we passed out around Feb and I think 1 left the railway after training and 3-4 others now have perm roles and I believe for the rest they have a mix of secondments but yet to find a perm role.

 

[ArchangelA]

I was employed on a 12month FTC but now have a perm role which I am waiting for my current LOM to give a release date for. I think out of the 10 people in my cohort 2 already had perm roles, 8 of us were all 12 month FTC we passed out around Feb and I think 1 left the railway after training and 3-4 others now have perm roles and I believe for the rest they have a mix of secondments but yet to find a perm role.

Whats the possibility of the ones without perm jobs being made jobless-or doesnt it work that way?

 

[HamSandwich]

Whats the possibility of the ones without perm jobs being made jobless-or doesnt it work that way?

Where I am, those without permanent jerbs are currently seconded where there are staff off sick and not enough relief cover, we were all told the chances of being made jobless at the end of the 12 months were incredibly slim as Network Rail have spent £££ training us up. I'm very fortunate in having a permanent role, even if it's a grade 1.

 

[cowboysfan]

Whats the possibility of the ones without perm jobs being made jobless-or doesnt it work that way?

Yeah pretty much what HamSandwich said, that's what we were told.

 

[ArchangelA]

How long have you spent on a reserve list before being offered a signaller job? How long after this was the medical? How long after that was signalling school?

 

[Alex95]

What does FTC mean please? Fixed-Term contract?

 

[Highlandspring]

Fixed-Term contract?

Yes.

 

[EGPWS#2]

Guys, I have been sent a contract for the signaller role and I have not seen any 12 months commitment requirement written within the terms. Therefore, surely, this “unwritten” rule can not be enforced or it will lead to grievances being submitted against the LOCs.

Too late and too tired to check but…iirc the contract you sign when you start signalling school, on day one, mentiones the 12 month commitment. I’ll check tomorrow. Whilst it may not be legally binding I would caution against upsetting people on your way up/around as those very peoples paths you cross you may have to cross again.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 Sep 2021 ==

Coming from a background with a ton of rules and policies around security, etc. I do understand the inflexibility of it being dead-on 60 minutes. As gutting as it is to be 5 minutes out! It's just the 90 minutes bit that rubbed me up the wrong way - as an outsider/layman to the rail industry I was really looking forward to it as a new long-term venture. A lot of my previous role would have meshed perfectly with their requirements. Not to mention the wacking-great pay to go with it. Anyway that's just me whinging.

But you're right, they're only human. If the rules say 60, then, 60 it is.

Yes. If it says 60 then as you say, that is what is is. If you want the job state that you’ll relocate. But be warned, fatigue management is a hot potato. Likewise I was from an industry where fatigue management was hot hot hot. My personal advice is if it’s 12 hour shifts bunk as close as you can, 8 hour shifts not much further away. You’ll be better rested and safer, not to mention a better work:life balance.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 Sep 2021 ==

What do you mean by "accurate"? If that's what the advert says, that's what it will be.

Yet another reply where I wish I could add an emoji. Well said.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 Sep 2021 ==

Yeah I got a call, really pleasant and whatnot but totally by surprise. I couldn't really argue my case much because at the time I couldn't recall where I saw the whole "90 minutes" thing. So I mentioned it, and I think she assumed I must have been mistaken because it was sort of shrugged off and not discussed further. Just asked if I would relocate, which suggests to me that they were probably interested in progressing me if I could.

I've sent them an email, politely asking for clarification, but it looks like I'm out the running either way! How's yours going?

Edit: typo.

Ahhhh. Repent at leisure and all that. Should have said yes dear chap and given yourself time to reappraise the implied offer. Saying yes would have unlocked the door for you, leaving you the option to either open or close it.

 

[Densetsu]

Too late and too tired to check but…iirc the contract you sign when you start signalling school, on day one, mentiones the 12 month commitment. I’ll check tomorrow. Whilst it may not be legally binding I would caution against upsetting people on your way up/around as those very peoples paths you cross you may have to cross again.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 Sep 2021 ==


Yes. If it says 60 then as you say, that is what is is. If you want the job state that you’ll relocate. But be warned, fatigue management is a hot potato. Likewise I was from an industry where fatigue management was hot hot hot. My personal advice is if it’s 12 hour shifts bunk as close as you can, 8 hour shifts not much further away. You’ll be better rested and safer, not to mention a better work:life balance.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 Sep 2021 ==


Yet another reply where I wish I could add an emoji. Well said.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 Sep 2021 ==


Ahhhh. Repent at leisure and all that. Should have said yes dear chap and given yourself time to reappraise the implied offer. Saying yes would have unlocked the door for you, leaving you the option to either open or close it.

Yeah, I did wonder afterwards about just saying yes to relocating, but if I know I can't do it I didn't feel like lying would have got me anywhere. I figured they could just ask for proof of my "new" address, and I'd look like a right deceptive idiot down the line! Possibly ruining any chances etc. (I just don't know how it all works right now). Just didn't sit right with me.

Turns out there is some confusion going on in HR (so they say). They're checking with management because the advert said 90 minutes - basically if the shifts are 8 hours long at Victoria, that's correct. If they're 12 hours long, then the 60 minute rule applies.

HR were well alright about it, though. Very friendly, and it's nice they seem to be getting to the bottom of it. I'm resigned to being withdrawn anyway, but slightly hopeful that it does indeed turn out to be 90 minutes. Even though I know most(?) ROCs are 12 hour shifts, I thought I read somewhere that Victoria ASC was 8. We shall see I suppose...

 

[Mbgjones]

Hello Everyone. Some valuable info in here. Really helped
Just wanted to ask if anyone has any idea what’s checked in the medical, and if there are any height/weight restrictions?

 

[ArchangelA]

Hello Everyone. Some valuable info in here. Really helped
Just wanted to ask if anyone has any idea what’s checked in the medical, and if there are any height/weight restrictions?

Eyesight including colour vision, blood pressure, drugs and alcohol urinary test, height and weight, mobility, and a general chat about medical history I believe. Not sure if they penalise people who are overweight- bloody hope not lol

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Sep 2021 ==

Eyesight including colour vision, blood pressure, drugs and alcohol urinary test, height and weight, mobility, and a general chat about medical history I believe. Not sure if they penalise people who are overweight- bloody hope not lol

Oh and hearing!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Sep 2021 ==

I managed to get through it with a BMI north of 35 and ears full of wax. I was a bit concerned beforehand about these but no problems at all, don’t sweat it!

I've had one too many pies personally, do you think this would go against me when I have my signaller medical as my own BMI is fairly high to?.