How to become a signalling technician with no experience?

[casino_mon3y]

Hi All,

Birmingham based.
track operative.
34 years old.

I’m new to the rail and Ive recently completed a skilled track operative training course. Since then I’ve found it almost impossible to get much work. And figuring out how to progress into a decent career is just as difficult… when asking for advice on career advancement I tend to get told “just speak to people on shifts”…

I’ve been looking into becoming a signalling technician! Good salary, good career and seems quite interesting.
In an ideal world I’d like to be a fully qualified (IRSE) registered signalling engineer/technician.

I don’t have any engineering or electrical experience.

Option 1:
I’ve applied for an apprenticeship from network rail but the pay is very low and i still need To cover my bills whilst training so even if I’m accepted I’m not sure if I can afford to train for 3 years on such a small wage ! Plus I’m not even sure that after the 3years I’d even be qualified?!?

Option 2: I’m told I can just work and build up my tickets to eventually get a signalling technician job. But then I’d like a solid list of what tickets I’d need to complete before I can apply for the job.

I’m not aware of any other way to get into this career so if anyone can help with a strong route to into this job with timelines etc . I would appreciate it!


Also on a side note most apprenticeships I’ve come across give you equivalent to the following qualification:
2x Level 3 Diplomas in Railway Engineering Technician Knowledge & Competence

*is that enough to be IRSE registered?

* with this qualification level will I be able to walk into a job as a signalling technician?

* what’s the quickest way into this field?

* specifically what ticket are needed (extensive list) to walk into a signalling engineer role?

Thanks in advance!

 

[tiptoptaff]

If you don't have any previous related qualifications, then the NR apprenticeship is going to be the most direct way to become a qualified signalling tech. You may want to look out for "Operative" roles in S&T with Network Rail, as you'd be working with/under the Techs and would no doubt be invaluable experience.

 

[TSG]

I’ve been looking into becoming a signalling technician! Good salary, good career and seems quite interesting.
In an ideal world I’d like to be a fully qualified (IRSE) registered signalling engineer/technician.

Pedantic point of order. You probably mean IRSE licensed. You generally have to be licensed or working towards a license under mentorship. Registration is with the Engineering Council (although its done through an institution you're a member of, so IRSE can do it). It typically applies to engineers for things like Incorporated or Chartered Engineer (there is EngTech but it wouldn't usually be a requirement for technicians, unlike the license).

I don’t have any engineering or electrical experience.

Option 1:
I’ve applied for an apprenticeship from network rail but the pay is very low and i still need To cover my bills whilst training so even if I’m accepted I’m not sure if I can afford to train for 3 years on such a small wage ! Plus I’m not even sure that after the 3years I’d even be qualified?!?

You would be qualified I'm sure, although you wouldn't have a wealth of experience obviously.

Option 2: I’m told I can just work and build up my tickets to eventually get a signalling technician job. But then I’d like a solid list of what tickets I’d need to complete before I can apply for the job.

To be honest, this sounds dubious. I have no idea what tickets you would be getting while you are not a signalling technician that would help you become one. For maintenance you would need to be working towards Signalling Maintenance Testing Handbook, and you aren't qualified to test anything you aren't trained on so you'll need equipment specific training too. It's highly unlikely you'll be sent on those courses unless you are working in the S&T. I don't know but I suspect it may be slightly easier to work your way in on the new works side.

I’m not aware of any other way to get into this career so if anyone can help with a strong route to into this job with timelines etc . I would appreciate it!


Also on a side note most apprenticeships I’ve come across give you equivalent to the following qualification:
2x Level 3 Diplomas in Railway Engineering Technician Knowledge & Competence

*is that enough to be IRSE registered?

* with this qualification level will I be able to walk into a job as a signalling technician?

Licensed? On it's own no. You have to have practical experience gained under mentorship to get the licence. If you are doing an apprenticeship it will likely have a job at the end of it though so gaining the licence shouldn't be a problem.

* what’s the quickest way into this field?

Given that you don't have relevant experience or qualifications, and you will need those, the apprenticeship probably

* specifically what ticket are needed (extensive list) to walk into a signalling engineer role?

There is no such thing. If you look at the IRSE criteria for the corporate membership grades (https://www.irse.org/Membership/Apply-for-membership) that will give you an idea. An engineering degree/completing the IRSE professional exam will help, as will years of relevant experience. I'd walk before you can run....

If you don't have any previous related qualifications, then the NR apprenticeship is going to be the most direct way to become a qualified signalling tech. You may want to look out for "Operative" roles in S&T with Network Rail, as you'd be working with/under the Techs and would no doubt be invaluable experience.

One thing to be wary of - under modernising maintenance operatives may not be assigned to specific engineering disciplines so this may not work out as well as it used to

 

[casino_mon3y]

One thing to be wary of - under modernising maintenance operatives may not be assigned to specific engineering disciplines so this may not work out as well as it used to

I recently saw an operative role / fast track to signalling tech 23 month training. So you’d essentially tra
I’m on the job. But I don’t seem to even get to interview stage as an operative. Any tips on applying, what are they looking for ?

An engineering degree/completing the IRSE professional exam will help, as will years of relevant experience.

Would this IRSE pro exam most likely be taken after the apprenticeship course or would it typically be apart of the course?

 

[TSG]

I recently saw an operative role / fast track to signalling tech 23 month training. So you’d essentially tra
I’m on the job. But I don’t seem to even get to interview stage as an operative. Any tips on applying, what are they looking for ?

I can only speculate but if I was interviewing for that, given that it's fast track, I would look for people with a head start. Now, the reason I said I was dubious about option 2 up-thread is because someone who has done possession support/track engineering competencies/crane controller/even an ES, none of that takes you closer to signal technician. However, someone with electrical experience/qualifications, especially if they have experience with industrial control/functional safety is straight to the top of my CV pile, because they have more relevant skills. If I think you can pass a relay interlocking course I'm not going to be thinking twice about whether you're going to get your PTS so I don't care about the non signal engineering tickets really. I realise that doesn't help you much but it's likely the answer to 'what are they looking for'.

Maybe there's a part time electrical engineering course you could do? The only relevant 'ticket' I can think of that you might realistically get without much experience is Signal Works Testing Handbook Mod 5 Test Assistant (this is not likely to be within NR/maintenance but one of the project contractors and their subcontractors), but I'm not sure how easy that would be to get into unless someone has already decided you're on your way to signalling technician.

Would this IRSE pro exam most likely be taken after the apprenticeship course or would it typically be apart of the course?

Remember you asked what you needed to walk into a signalling engineer role, which is not the same as a technician. It is not part of any apprenticeship that I'm aware of. If you get on an apprenticeship then you may be able to continue studying beyond the level stated (NR certainly do this for candidates who are able and willing). The only UK course that exempts you from that exam i.e. equivalent, is a specialist Masters Engineering degree at Birmingham. People usually self study for the exam and you already need to have gained membership of the IRSE to sit most of it. See https://www.irse.org/Qualifications-Careers/IRSE-Exam. You don't need to join to do Mod A. It can't do you any harm I guess and demonstrates some relevant knowledge. Like I said though, walk before you can run.

 

[casino_mon3y]

However, someone with electrical experience/qualifications, especially if they have experience with industrial control/functional safety is straight to the top of my CV pile, because they have more relevant skills. If I think you can pass a relay interlocking course I'm not going to be thinking twice about whether you're going to get your PTS

I think I’m definitely going to go down the route of an apprenticeship but as it starts in September…What would be good subjects to educate myself on before I start ? Maybe a 6 week course on basic electrics ? Relays?

 

[TSG]

I suspect there won't be a lot of questions about electrical principles or signalling in the apprenticeship interview. It will be likely be a lot of 'Tell us about a time....' type questions (look up STAR technique). That said, doing an electrical course shows people looking at your CV that you're serious about this, so it should help you get there. It can't do you any harm.

Best of luck