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Are apprenticeships ideal for older people?

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C J Snarzell

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Hi there

I'm new to this forum but I thought I would ask a important question just to put my mind at rest.

I am 38 and I have just left the police service after over 15 years. The job was making me physically and mentally ill and I had to get out before it finally broke me.

I am lead to believe a career in the rail service is quite rewarding and a few ex-cops who left the police before me have become conductors or train drivers.

I wanted to know if the apprenticeship role is only open to younger people (school leavers or college graduates) or is open to older people too? I'm interested in a controller type of role but clearly I would have to retrain and learn the ropes.

C J
 
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baz962

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Hi there

I'm new to this forum but I thought I would ask a important question just to put my mind at rest.

I am 38 and I have just left the police service after over 15 years. The job was making me physically and mentally ill and I had to get out before it finally broke me.

I am lead to believe a career in the rail service is quite rewarding and a few ex-cops who left the police before me have become conductors or train drivers.

I wanted to know if the apprenticeship role is only open to younger people (school leavers or college graduates) or is open to older people too? I'm interested in a controller type of role but clearly I would have to retrain and learn the ropes.

C J

Can't answer for controller , but in my place we have quite a few ex police now driving. Im not ex police , but I started my train driving career at 47 and qualified at 48. Career wise and age wise , you have nothing to worry about.
 

Stigy

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Hi there

I'm new to this forum but I thought I would ask a important question just to put my mind at rest.

I am 38 and I have just left the police service after over 15 years. The job was making me physically and mentally ill and I had to get out before it finally broke me.

I am lead to believe a career in the rail service is quite rewarding and a few ex-cops who left the police before me have become conductors or train drivers.

I wanted to know if the apprenticeship role is only open to younger people (school leavers or college graduates) or is open to older people too? I'm interested in a controller type of role but clearly I would have to retrain and learn the ropes.

C J
Apprenticeships are 100% open to anybody, from all walks of life. I’d say in this day and age of equality, older people are even more sought after to undertake apprenticeships. At 38 you’re not old by the way.

Also, not many jobs on the railway in the grand scheme of things require an apprenticeship. A lot of roles are starting to go that way (driving/signalling etc), but you can still just join the railway in the old fashioned way.
 

OneLowban

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I agree with the above. 4-5 on my course were 35+. (Drivers)

What area would you be looking for the jobs in?
 

C J Snarzell

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I agree with the above. 4-5 on my course were 35+. (Drivers)

What area would you be looking for the jobs in?

Hi there

I live in Wigan so I'm right in the middle of the North West rail network between Liverpool, Manchester and Preston.

Been on the Merseyrail website as their trains run between Wigan and Southport, as well as Liverpool too but the vacancies with them seem scarce at the moment.

Even Crewe seems ideal as it is the biggest connecting station in the U.K. but I've noted most job vacancies require candidates to live within close distance of the base station.

C J
 

dsb

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Think experience life and work counts a lot I’m 51 and just got in as a trainee driver
 

The One

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Thought about applying for Freight Train companies too they have depots all over the country
 

C J Snarzell

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Just a query

I'm interested in more of the 'behind the scenes' type of job rather than going for a driver or conductor role which seem the more popular choices.

I'm lead to believe that controllers are quite well paid but their job is all about decision making and comes with a lot of stress. I would say I've earned my gold medal in stress from over a decade in the police!

The Northern Rail jobs are currently advertising for apprenticeships in Control Production and Operations. The CP role seems a bit more intense as it takes you longer to qualify (2 years) and you work towards a level 4 NVQ in Business & Administration whilst the Operations role is only 12 months and a level 3 NVQ. The job descriptions for both roles are not 100% clear on Northern's website.

Can anyone assist in verifying what kind of jobs these actually are or what jobs they will open gates to afterwards once you qualify?

C J
 

Train182

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I'm currently on the NWR apprenticeship. Lots of different people of different ages. Definitely something I'd recommend applying for if it sounds like it'd be for you.
 

Stigy

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Just a query

I'm interested in more of the 'behind the scenes' type of job rather than going for a driver or conductor role which seem the more popular choices.

I'm lead to believe that controllers are quite well paid but their job is all about decision making and comes with a lot of stress. I would say I've earned my gold medal in stress from over a decade in the police!

The Northern Rail jobs are currently advertising for apprenticeships in Control Production and Operations. The CP role seems a bit more intense as it takes you longer to qualify (2 years) and you work towards a level 4 NVQ in Business & Administration whilst the Operations role is only 12 months and a level 3 NVQ. The job descriptions for both roles are not 100% clear on Northern's website.

Can anyone assist in verifying what kind of jobs these actually are or what jobs they will open gates to afterwards once you qualify?

C J
If looking for a job in control, I’d consider NWR rather than a TOC as they advertise more frequently for such roles (or seem to at least) and are generally better paid. I’m not sure what rank you got to within the police, but certainly if you’ve held a rank of Inspector or above, a high end control job is within reach and can pay up to £60k.
 

FGW_DID

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Appreciate it’s not in your area but as an example, Network Rail are advertising for a Train Running Controller (based in Western Route Control at Swindon). Salary = £52K

https://iebsprodnwrl.omcs.networkra...DISPLAY&p_svid=2147253&p_spid=6908432&refsh=0
Brief Description
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Manage train services on the network to meet the agreed train plan both during normal operation and disruptive events.


Deliver Network Rail targets and Train Operator franchise, PPM and other customer targets.

Lead and manage the performance of the daily train plan and take early action to minimise customer disruption ensuring that rolling stock and train crew resources are effectively managed.


Communicate effectively regarding train performance and train regulation, within control, with signallers and relevant Train Operators.


Define and implement service recovery arrangements.




About the role (External)
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As part of the route control team, you’ll manage train services throughout the region, ensuring that trains run as close to real time as possible without compromising safety and according to the agreed train plan. If a situation arises you’ll be responsible for liaising and negotiating with train operating companies to regulate services, whilst trying to keep delays to a minimum, as well as communicating with other key Network Rail staff to ensure the service recovers as quickly as possible.



Key Accountabilities

1. Work during both normal train running and disruptive events, to deliver the optimum service that meets the differing needs of the rail industry and passengers

2. Manage the safe and efficient running of trains over the Route infrastructure

3. Make pro-active train regulating decisions using control systems and interpreting incoming information to identify potential disruption and initiate early action to minimise train delays, communicating with signallers and train operators as necessary

4. Work closely with the Incident Controller to manage train service delivery during times of perturbation, being the key liaison with representatives of train operators whose services run in the route and other control centres

5. Develop and specify during times of disruption, service recovery plans, including discussion with train operator staff regarding resourcing of the plan

6. Maintain a daily log of all train running information and events, using the available systems in accordance with the relevant company standards and instructions

7. Undertake planning of VSTP train movements to a time horizon of 48 hours and compile a library of regularly used timetable slots to deliver consistency

8. Identify regular and frequent requests for short-term movements to the Train Planning Manager to be introduced into the permanent timetable



Job Skills, Experience and Qualifications

Essential

· Knowledge and demonstrable experience of operating procedures, rules and regulations

· Operational experience within a control environment or operations role

· Understanding of the Route timetable

· Knowledge of Train Operating Companies organisational structure and routes

· Good geographical knowledge of applicable Route

· Demonstrable skill in the use of Microsoft Office package and Control specific software e.g. CCF, TMIS, TRUST, TRUST DA, TOPS, SHEILA, GENIUS, Crews in Genius, P2v2, Nexus Alpha and Alpha Page or other communications/ pager system

· Good team working skills and ability to make objective decisions

· Able to influence others and work under pressure

· General understanding of commercial/ business picture within Network Rail and TOC’s

· Knowledge of Train Service Recovery Plans


Desirable

· Working knowledge of the NRN system and its correct use

· Geographical knowledge of adjoining Routes
 
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Cavan

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Unless you have substantial operations experience someone would not be able to get a NR (or TOC) train running controller job easily, if at all.
 

TheVicLine

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I wish I was 38 :lol:
The role isn't relevant but I started as a trainee driver in my mid forties. Stop worrying about your age and go get the career that you want.
 

Pete C

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I started an apprenticeship at 34 and I wasn't the oldest, there was a 38 and a 43 year old - I did it because I thought it'd be ideal considering I needed to completely retrain (no pun intended) and it was! Go for it.
 

EM2

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If you don't need an equivalent salary at the moment, and if you're looking at apprenticeships then I'm guessing you don't, you could start as something like a Customer Service Assistant at a station, somewhere like Manchester Piccadilly or Victoria, or Liverpool Lime Street, then you could move into Control in a station environment, from there things start opening up.
This is what I did, joining at 37.
 

C J Snarzell

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Thanks for the advice

I believe Northern Rail don't actual advertise their jobs with a 'trainee' title. The lady I spoke to in HR last week stated that any non-qualified jobs are simply put out as what they are. For example a trainee driver is advertised as simply 'Train Driver' and a job requiring experience is advertised as 'Qualified Train Driver'. I hope that makes sense!!!

Just regarding Network Rail - I've been on their careers page and there is nothing on there marked as a trainee role. Can anyone assist with regard to how Network advertise for new people or outsiders if that is a better phrase?

C J
 

Stigy

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Thanks for the advice

I believe Northern Rail don't actual advertise their jobs with a 'trainee' title. The lady I spoke to in HR last week stated that any non-qualified jobs are simply put out as what they are. For example a trainee driver is advertised as simply 'Train Driver' and a job requiring experience is advertised as 'Qualified Train Driver'. I hope that makes sense!!!

Just regarding Network Rail - I've been on their careers page and there is nothing on there marked as a trainee role. Can anyone assist with regard to how Network advertise for new people or outsiders if that is a better phrase?

C J
The only jobs which are advertised as trainee roles are usually Train Driver grades or specific apprenticeships (apart from Signaller jobs, which again, are all trainee/apprentice roles these days and are just advertised as 'Signaller'). The only jobs you can't apply for are those such as Qualified Train Driver (obviously). Jobs such as Incident Controller will be advertised as such and open for anyone to apply. Obviously it would be pointless applying if you process none of the key criteria set out in the job spec, but if you have some or all of the attributes needed, you're free to apply. As a former Police Officer, you'll naturally process a lot of the skillset required, even if it's not railway experience (such as leadership/command/decision making etc.).
 
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