A career as a signaller

[Seejwalker]

I don't expect prioritisation. The unsuccessful email always arrives eventually so why can't it be sent when the decision is made? If I made it all the way to the interview stage I would expect that as a courtesy at least.

Thinking you’re entitled to something might explain why you’re unsuccessful.

 

[DC36]

Chances are on the 10th you'll go and meet your LOM for an induction, get your rule books etc. The rest of your first week will be box visits where possible, probably doing some mandatory eLearning courses, but should be fairly chilled.

For IST you'll be put up in a hotel near the training centre. Breakfast will be included and you'll have a £25 a day budget to spend on dinner and soft drinks, so keep your fingers crossed for an extensive menu or it can get really boring really quickly!

As for what to expect at IST, it's full on pretty much from day 1 so be ready to work hard both in class and on your own time in the evenings. Though IST is tough because of the sheer volume of information you have to take on board, I reckon anyone who can make it through the very onerous recruitment process can handle IST - but only if you put the work in.

Brilliant, thanks for that. Hopefully I'll hear from my LOM soon with some details

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 21 Sep 2022 ==

Also you can use the 25 pound allowance to eat wherever you like and claim the money back on expenses.
If going to york then rustiques do a set menu for around 25 pound ...

That's good to know, at least I'm not going to limited to the hotel food

 

[Leeward]

Thinking you’re entitled to something might explain why you’re unsuccessful.

I said I had an expectation, not an entitlement. Really quite different.

 

[JaySt]

Good afternoon, I'm looking for some advice if I may. I'm due to start with Network Rail on the 10th October and IST on the 17th. As of yet I've not heard anything from my LOM so I'm not sure where I'm going on the 10th and what I'll be doing for the first week. Are there any recent starters on here who could enlighten as to what to expect for that first week and give me some guidance on what to expect with IST? I'm assuming we get put up in a hotel nearby?

Thanks in advance

I'm in the same boat! Due to start on the 17th October. Just wondering how long I will be waiting to hear from my LOM. Or if it would be more wise to email the recruitment team and see if I can get anymore information. But don't want to seem too pushy or over eager haha! I'm sure he will be in contact closer to the start date.

 

[Seejwalker]

I said I had an expectation, not an entitlement. Really quite different.

Ok mate. Well I’m employed as a signaller, have been for a few years. You crack on with your view and I’ll keep mine.

 

[y0rkie287]

I had to do an online questionnaire and a face2face medical. It just made the medical quicker as I'd prefilled the questionnaire, otherwise they have to sit and go through it all with you at the appointment.

thank you, i'll await the call to go get prodded and poked in person then lol, i see you are also in lincolnshire so may well be the same medical centre

 

[Choo Choo 170]

No news yet sadly. Really thought I would have heard by now. What about you?

what post are you waiting to hear about? I've also been waiting three weeks to hear about a grade 2 job

 

[Buzz2017]

what post are you waiting to hear about? I've also been waiting three weeks to hear about a grade 2 job

An exeter signaller job. I had interview on 07/09. It’s such an agonising wait. Good luck to you

 

[Choo Choo 170]

An exeter signaller job. I had interview on 07/09. It’s such an agonising wait. Good luck to you

aaawgh good luck to you too, I applied for north east and had my interview on 11th august... buy hey, no news is good news(hopefully) lol. hope you get in

 

[y0rkie287]

medical questionnaire sent in this morning, phone call this afternoon organising the medical for next weds, quickest thing yet on the application lol

 

[Canonite]

Evening all, just thought I’d update that I was offered a contract other week for Grade 2. It was a really lengthy process as I applied in late July. Joined this forum 7yrs ago so I’m well aware how tough it is to get noticed out of 1500 applicants.

Was told a bit of info on the phone, my Signaller School will be in York and there was also a bit of info about pay grades and the pre-employment checks. Had a recent full medical anyway so it’s all good.

To those applying, research every bit of the role as you can.

 

[Leeward]

Evening all, just thought I’d update that I was offered a contract other week for Grade 2. It was a really lengthy process as I applied in late July. Joined this forum 7yrs ago so I’m well aware how tough it is to get noticed out of 1500 applicants.

Was told a bit of info on the phone, my Signaller School will be in York and there was also a bit of info about pay grades and the pre-employment checks. Had a recent full medical anyway so it’s all good.

To those applying, research every bit of the role as you can.

Well done mate!

 

[nom de guerre]

One for the current signallers: I'm hearing the proposed ORR/max 60hr working week is now off - or at least, could be off. This is despite some routes already having recruited dozens of extra staff in anticipation of its introduction (latest date quoted was year end) and rosters being tweaked - or in some cases entirely rewritten - to ensure compliance, etc etc.

Anyone heard anything?

 

[mac]

How can a safety critical role be allowed to work 60 plus hours a week when most industries are limited to a 48 hour week

 

[Bn98]

Anyone here waiting to hear on the Grade 9 at Three Bridges?
Assessments all done but nothing since!

 

[Leeward]

Anyone here waiting to hear on the Grade 9 at Three Bridges?
Assessments all done but nothing since!

What stage are you at? Have you been interviewed?

 

[Bn98]

Oh just actually had a look the closing date was only the 22nd Sept. I applied when it first opened a few weeks ago and was asked to do online assessments so I guess we should start to hear before too long.

 

[tonyianmoore@g]

Oh just actually had a look the closing date was only the 22nd Sept. I applied when it first opened a few weeks ago and was asked to do online assessments so I guess we should start to hear before too long.

The closing date for Marston Vale and Rugby was the 15th, did the assessments on the 14th and not heard anything yet, so likely that you're a week or so behind that. It did say that if you were going to be unsuccessful they'd endeavour to let you know sooner rather than later

 

[Signal_Box]

How can a safety critical role be allowed to work 60 plus hours a week when most industries are limited to a 48 hour week

I’ve often worked 72 weeks on end with 24hrs break between starting another 72 stretch - it’s called short staffing.

 

[mac]

I have as well but when most jobs are covered by the working time directive limiting working hours to 48 why can we be booked for 72

 

[Exscrew]

I have as well but when most jobs are covered by the working time directive limiting working hours to 48 why can we be booked for 72

Normally clever rostering can bypass that law, IE starting on a Sunday etc.
And that law will be a distant memory thanks to the government running this country

 

[tonyianmoore@g]

I have as well but when most jobs are covered by the working time directive limiting working hours to 48 why can we be booked for 72

48 hours a week average over a reference range of 17 weeks I believe. So they'll measure over a period when you have holidays

 

[Horizon22]

I don't expect prioritisation. The unsuccessful email always arrives eventually so why can't it be sent when the decision is made? If I made it all the way to the interview stage I would expect that as a courtesy at least.

Because they needs confirmation of the successful person first - with possibly a back up - before being unsuccessful.

I’ve found this true in all sectors I’ve worked in; unfortunately if you don’t get the job you’re a lesser priority. What you’re asking for is prioritisation. I agree if you don’t hear anything at all - especially after an interview - that is poor.

 

[AVK17]

I have as well but when most jobs are covered by the working time directive limiting working hours to 48 why can we be booked for 72

Normally clever rostering can bypass that law, IE starting on a Sunday etc.
And that law will be a distant memory thanks to the government running this country

48 hours a week average over a reference range of 17 weeks I believe. So they'll measure over a period when you have holidays

There is a specific exemption from the Working Time Regulations 1998 which applies here:

21. Subject to regulation 24, regulations 6(1), (2) and (7), 10(1), 11(1) and (2) and 12(1) do not apply in relation to a worker —

f) where the worker works in railway transport and —

(i) his activities are intermittent;

(ii) he spends his working time on board trains; or

(iii) his activities are linked to transport timetables and to ensuring the continuity and regularity of traffic.]”

That effectively nullifies the legal maximum number of hours worked, as well as the requirements for daily and weekly rest between shifts. It’s not a case of clever rostering or averaging anything it’s simply that the regulations don’t apply.

 

[Horizon22]

I have as well but when most jobs are covered by the working time directive limiting working hours to 48 why can we be booked for 72

72 is the max. You can opt out of the working time directive, and the vast majority do.

 

[Leeward]

Because they needs confirmation of the successful person first - with possibly a back up - before being unsuccessful.

I’ve found this true in all sectors I’ve worked in; unfortunately if you don’t get the job you’re a lesser priority. What you’re asking for is prioritisation. I agree if you don’t hear anything at all - especially after an interview - that is poor.

Thank you, I guess that makes sense. I will stress, again, I was not - knowingly - trying to come across as "entitled", as a previous poster tactlessly asserted; I merely found it something of an oddity. But your explanation clears that up.

Cheers.

 

[Bn98]

Thank you, I guess that makes sense. I will stress, again, I was not - knowingly - trying to come across as "entitled", as a previous poster tactlessly asserted; I merely found it something of an oddity. But your explanation clears that up.

Cheers.

Ha mate, I wouldn't worry too much about someone insinuating you are "entitled" - I think your comments are entirely fair enough, its just one of those things in the Railway that the HR process is generally slow. Nothing wrong with questioning things - kind of the whole point of this site!

I guess it goes with the potentially competitive territory, there are number of users that perhaps lack interpersonal skills shall we say...

 

[mac]

There is a specific exemption from the Working Time Regulations 1998 which applies here:



That effectively nullifies the legal maximum number of hours worked, as well as the requirements for daily and weekly rest between shifts. It’s not a case of clever rostering or averaging anything it’s simply that the regulations don’t apply.

Can one of our regular union posters such as high dyke let us know if they have any ideas what might be happening in January

 

[Leeward]

Unsuccessful email from Exeter just came through but on reserve at least.

 

[Andy9gc]

Unsuccessful email from Exeter just came through but on reserve at least.

Me too but for TVSC, did you ask for feedback? I got a very detailed email.