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Background in rail required to be a signaller?

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ShaneAllen

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18 Jun 2020
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Hi all,

For the last few weeks i've been looking into becoming a signaller. I know a few people within NR that say the job would be brilliant for me and for the most part, I agree.
I come from initially a retail management background and then progressed into a computer software programmer - I'm used to being in stressful environments (although, no life dependancy) and focussing on a screen for full shifts.

Did you all come from railway backgrounds before applying & successfully becoming signallers?

Thank you.
 
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Gallius

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I was offered a Signaller job at the beginning of the year and I come from a Scientific background. You don't need rail experience to get a Signaller job, you just need to be able to demonstrate the right skills.
 

ShaneAllen

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18 Jun 2020
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Thanks Gallius
I think i'll put an application in, what's the worst that can happen aye?

I know there is a "Signaller" thread, but 330 pages in hopes to find someone has asked my question would be a painful thing to sift through!
 

Saracen_83

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22 Oct 2017
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Thanks Gallius
I think i'll put an application in, what's the worst that can happen aye?

I know there is a "Signaller" thread, but 330 pages in hopes to find someone has asked my question would be a painful thing to sift through!

That’s what the search function is for!!!! :D:D

As for your question, no you don’t need experience in rail to become a Signaller as mentioned above.... I was from the outside and got a position.
It just requires you to show you have the skills, experience and aptitude to make it as a signaller and that all comes from your life/job experience.

good luck!
 

Llanigraham

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Did you all come from railway backgrounds before applying & successfully becoming signallers?

Not at all, immediately before I joined I was a self-employed shop keeper, and previous to that everything from a Civil Servant to a car delivery driver.
 

ShaneAllen

Member
Joined
18 Jun 2020
Messages
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Location
Stoke-on-Trent
That’s what the search function is for!!!! :D:D

As for your question, no you don’t need experience in rail to become a Signaller as mentioned above.... I was from the outside and got a position.
It just requires you to show you have the skills, experience and aptitude to make it as a signaller and that all comes from your life/job experience.

good luck!
Yep, you're right!

I'll search from now haha, thanks for the tips both of you; i'll go through the megathread and make notes :)
 

Tom Quinne

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8 Jul 2017
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Thanks Gallius
I think i'll put an application in, what's the worst that can happen aye?

I know there is a "Signaller" thread, but 330 pages in hopes to find someone has asked my question would be a painful thing to sift through!

Try sifting through a 300+ page WON to find your T3 for that’s painful, but if you want to be a signaller it’s what you’ll have to do.

The question you’ve asked has been asked many times before in the signaller thread, so a little bit of effort would of paid off.
 

godfreycomplex

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23 Jun 2016
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1,296
Not in the slightest
Some exciting previous jobs of signallers that I know of include greengrocer, supermarket worker, personal barman to a well known racing driver, school caretaker, tiler, spud digger, locksmith, out of work actor, rubber factory worker, trainee wealth analyst, box office at an “adult cinema”, landscape gardener for a very well known pop star, radio DJ, stable hand, cloistered monk, reiki therapist, watercolour painter and a professional Elvis tribute act.
Takes all sorts this job. Don’t fall into the trap that you have to be ex-railway/police/armed forces to succeed. Being a signaller is a, if you’ll pardon the cliché, more a state of mind than a previously acquired set of skills.
Best of luck!!
 

ShaneAllen

Member
Joined
18 Jun 2020
Messages
6
Location
Stoke-on-Trent
Appreciate the replies everyone!

Yep, realised my mistake Tom, I've been through it earlier and did find what you said (not searched on forums before, just clicked here and there)

Will do from now on :)
 
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