nom de guerre
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- 24 Nov 2015
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Hadn't realised Wessex retained that perk from the 'Deep Alliance' era.
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A career as a signaller
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Hadn't realised Wessex retained that perk from the 'Deep Alliance' era.
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vinoboxer
Member
Here is a question I don't know if it's been asked already...
Is the job fun? Motivating? Apart from the pay, what do you like about signalling?
I'm starting to overthink and worry just how critical it is not to make mistakes and I keep seeing the line 'mistakes are often unrecoverable'. We are all human and mistakes do happen. Presumably there are a lot of failsafes and support structures in place too?
Is the job fun? Motivating? Apart from the pay, what do you like about signalling?
I'm starting to overthink and worry just how critical it is not to make mistakes and I keep seeing the line 'mistakes are often unrecoverable'. We are all human and mistakes do happen. Presumably there are a lot of failsafes and support structures in place too?
Casey_Jones
Member
"Fun" might be pushing it but I do think it is a brilliant job - let's just say I am "experienced" career wise and this is definitely my favourite job. You're doing something worthwhile, keeping people and goods moving and keeping them safe too. The job also lets you find the level you want as well; I'm in a nice G3 box where there's enough to do without getting bored, but also enough time to read a couple of books a week etc, but for those whose want a more involved day, the option is definitely there at signalling centres, etc.
Mistakes can and do happen, we're all only human, but like you say, there are a huge number of failsafes in place, as well as help on the end of a phone from the likes of Train Running Control and (perhaps more helpfully) other signallers. The training helps ease such worries I think.
Mistakes can and do happen, we're all only human, but like you say, there are a huge number of failsafes in place, as well as help on the end of a phone from the likes of Train Running Control and (perhaps more helpfully) other signallers. The training helps ease such worries I think.
It's a pretty great job. I'm not sure fun is the word I'd use.
At lower grades, as long as you're fine working alone and enjoy your own company you'll probably get a lot of reading done!
At higher grades, the workload can be intense but the "puzzle" of the job including effective regulating is always interesting.
Mistakes happen, only last week I got too "involved" in signalling an ARS area and offered a wrong route to a driver. Fortunately he didn't take it and I just got some delay minutes and some paperwork to fill out. There is a lot of responsibility with the job but there are a lot of safeguards and failsafes. The training will help you with that.
At lower grades, as long as you're fine working alone and enjoy your own company you'll probably get a lot of reading done!
At higher grades, the workload can be intense but the "puzzle" of the job including effective regulating is always interesting.
Mistakes happen, only last week I got too "involved" in signalling an ARS area and offered a wrong route to a driver. Fortunately he didn't take it and I just got some delay minutes and some paperwork to fill out. There is a lot of responsibility with the job but there are a lot of safeguards and failsafes. The training will help you with that.
MrPointment
Member
I just took the 5 tests you get sent for Grade 8 Signaller. 4 were pretty straight forward and I think I did well in those. However, the working memory grid challenge, I think I may have fluffed that one. It was intense. Has anyone else here done these new tests, and what did you make of them?
vinoboxer
Member
That's very encouraging to hear, thank you both.
Yeah, I like it when the training is structured and well designed so that it does make you feel competent in you're job. Especially when, on the face of it, it looks quite complicated!
Yeah, I like it when the training is structured and well designed so that it does make you feel competent in you're job. Especially when, on the face of it, it looks quite complicated!
I think they're standard as I did the same tests for a grade 2 signaller, I also struggled with the memory grid after finding the other 4 pretty easy, though it seems the others were enough to get me through and was told I had passed the following day.
I had my scenario test last Saturday and have an interview on Wednesday 8th, fingers crossed.
Good luck!
Casey_Jones
Member
Be prepared to work very hard, in class and on your evenings too, there's a huge amount of information to take on board, and it may even feel like too much at times - if you feel like that just think of the many thousands of signallers who's passed signalling school, they're not all mega genuises or anything, just regular people who put the effort in.
I'm firmly of the opinion that anyone who is smart enough to get through the very challenging recruitment process is smart enough to pass signalling school - so long as they put the work in.
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Hi, I left school in 1982 at 16 with no qualifications, my first ever interview was for this job, and my first ever written exam was at IST, if you put the work in, anything is possible! I’m sure they’ll be people on here that found it easier than others, but if you want it bad enough you’ll be ok
High Dyke
Established Member
Correct. There's no booked night shifts, any night turns are classed as additional. These are predominantly covered by relief signallers.
I actually would use the word fun!
Job satisfaction doesn't generally drop into your lap in any line of work; it's there to be found if you go looking for it. In my view (and this is my 3rd career), signalling provides more than enough: mental challenge, responsibility, purpose, variety, down time, work-life balance, public service, co-operation with other departments, and endless little opportunities to take pride in a job well done. I couldn't ask for more.
I work as a relief across 6 locations, from G3 to G7, and the only thing that ever gets me down is the negativity of those colleagues who don't enjoy the job (or pretend not to, to maintain an air of worldly cynicism)... and you'll even hear them grudgingly admit that "it beats working for a living"!
MrPointment
Member
Good luck to you too with your interview. What exactly is the scenario test like? It doesn't mention a scenario test in the email I was sent with the link for the 5 tests, it just says applicants will be shortlisted for interview based on their overall performance in the process to date.
Thank you!
The scenario test is the next step after passing the psychometric tests and part one of the interview process.
It is an online assessment which you need to video record your answers for the recruitment team to watch before your live video interview.
It gives an overall brief, then a chance to test your camera and microphone, then gives 3 questions each with a written and video introduction with a time limit to read/watch then you get a minute to think and prepare your answer then up to 4 minutes to record it. After which is question 4, a round up of the process.
Everything you need for the answers is in the investigation stage of the questions remembering what you've researched beforehand about the role too, so if you get invited, read/watch and take notes, though you'll probably find there isn't enough time to read and watch the investigation part, so do first which you find easier then as much as you can of the other.
I have two tips for signalling school that I don’t often see:
1 - There is no such thing as a stupid question.
If you are unsure on something, you can be certain you’re not the only one in the room. Several times when I was at signalling school, someone would ask a seemingly silly question, or ask for clarification on something, and half the class would breathe a sigh of relief.
2 - Own your learning.
You know whether you’re getting things or not. You can revise in every waking hour and still fail the test if you never gave yourself the time to properly understand a concept.
The course is structured in such a way that your learning is cumulative, so spend the time to really work out concepts you’re not sure about. It may be that a tiny change of phrasing is all you need.
For the first few weeks you may feel like you will never understand, but it will fall in to place eventually.
Best of luck, work smart, and have fun
Thank you for clarifying.
I looked back on the job description and it says Boston (PE12 8EH), so does look to be the main one in Boston, perhaps if a trainee it might be intended to work up to grade 3? I'll check in the interview if it isn't mentioned.
mrc.Welford
Member
Is there anyone who starts signaller school on the 3rd of April 2023 in London. I am excited and nervous. If you are on the training do you know which hotel you are in
High Dyke
Established Member
The hiring manager for the boxes between Hubberts Bridge and Skegness has his office at Boston, in the buildings behind West Street SB.
Makes sense, thanks again!
High Dyke
Established Member
No problem. All the best. You may see me, one day, in that area.
Thank you! I hope so... I'll update how I get on when I know something.
Well done. Fingers crossed to you too for the medical. The process has been quick so far so I’m hoping for an appointment soonHi! I also somehow managed to pass the interview for the same position at the same location! I'm over the moon and excited to start training. Just the medical to get through now, fingers crossed.
Evening, I'm on the course ahead of you. And I'm in week 10 of 11. You have an absolutely amazing WDS. They are great, chill to get along with but will work you till you get it but understands if you don't.
Hotel wise, we've been staying in the Holiday Inn Express Southwark (about a min from the centre and 2 mins away from Blackfriars) has no restaurant so you do have to eat out in the evening, but if you can get a hotel that has a restaurant you have £25(?) A day on food. Try and avoid the Travelodge if you can. Hotels are booked by support staff (at least for me anyway) double check with your LOM or Recruitment if you haven't started yet
mrc.Welford
Member
Thanks for the reply I'll PM you if you don't mind
Wales82
Member
Hi, have you heard anything further? I’ve had nothing and portal just says assessment stage, it’s been on this for a few weeks now.
well-helen@hot
Member
I am in the same position. I thought they might have forgotten me or interviewing other people first and leaving me as a stand by ..
mrc.Welford
Member
They were brilliant in my experience phone them and they will work with you for a time that works for you
That’s great thank you. Much appreciated . Feeling anxious but ready to get on with the challenge and get going on my new journey. Cheers