Entry level jobs

[47145]

Hi

My first post so will keep it short, but hopefully I will get some answers to my questions. ☺. I have always had an intresting in having a career within the railway industry (boy hood dream of being a driver lol ) and having now worked for the last 15 years within the warehousing / logistics industry at a manager level I think the time is right to look at getting a job within the railway industry. I recently applied for a signaller vacancy and after completing the on line test about 3 weeks later got a thanks but no thanks email from network rail.

Does anybody have any suggestions or tips for people looking to change careers and move into the railway industry. Not sure how relevant my logistics experience would be if any, but help would be really appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

 

[whhistle]

Maybe look at something to do with catering and ensuring stock is in the right places.

 

[TheEdge]

Anything the railways advertise externally is an entry level job. No point in saying go for entry level jobs or something related to your current job.

Trainee Train Driver is advertised externally and people can and do walk in off the street and get them.

 

[BTP101]

Perhaps join the British transport police as a volunteer police officer? you get first hand experience of how the railway operates etc. and the type of incidents which occur, e.g. TI's, fatalities. I know a few bobbies who have left the force to join LM or Chiltern

 

[TomBoyd]

Signaller!

 

[Johncleesefan]

If your heart is set on the driver grade then that's what you need to apply for

 

[EM2]

If your heart is set on the driver grade then that's what you need to apply for

Can't see why. Ex-colleague of mine started as a station CSA seven years ago, and is now driving for South Eastern (via station control room, customer service manager for another TOC, and customer host for SE).

 

[Johncleesefan]

I'm not saying you won't eventually be a driver if you start somewhere else. But if that is what you want then that is what you should apply for

 

[47145]

Thanks for all the replies and advice. A driving Job would be a dream come true but I also know I am not going to walk into a position like that but am looking at other positions to get a career in on the railways started.. Living in Northamptonshire kind of limits the toc's in the area but I am going to keep at it and hopefully get somewhere. My partners friend recently started a driving job with EMT and she seemed quite surprised when I was asking questions about her training and what it was like. Nobody knew about my passion for railways as my job takes up most of my time and It's been a while since I went out taking photos and videos which used to be my normal weekend activities for years lol..

 

[Joof]

If it's driving you want. Go for it. I did and now I'm training. Never worked in the rail industry in my life so I am what they call "off the street".

 

[E&W Lucas]

Thanks for all the replies and advice. A driving Job would be a dream come true but I also know I am not going to walk into a position like that but am looking at other positions to get a career in on the railways started.. .

Absolute rubbish!!
Many (probably most) drivers start directly as a trainee driver.
You've a management background, practical responsibility, etc, you should be able to make a strong application.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Living in Northamptonshire kind of limits the toc's in the area but I am going to keep at it and hopefully get somewhere.

Hint - Bedford - one of the biggest driver kindergartens in the country. You're also within sensible commuting distance of the north London suburban depots (most London drivers commute).

Read some of the info already on this site, concentrating on what has been posted by drivers, about what our job involves, and the skills required to do it.
Register for vac alerts with the London commuter operators, as that's where the trainee jobs are in your area.
Ignore the posts from those who are trying to become drivers, and can't get near it, who are want to suggest that all others need to spend years in some other role in the industry.