How to become a train conductor - HELP!?

[Anyaxh]

Hi guys
So I've been wondering for a long time but never really took to finding the answer; but I really want to work as a train conductor.
I'm 17 (still in sixth form), and I really want to know how to approach my situation (training? Work experience?) and if anyone here was this young when they started out. I'd really appriciate the help

 

[redron]

It's a safety critical role so if you are going to apply, you will need some experience dealing with safety critical situations and/or following rules and procedures where safety plays a part. Customer service also plays a huge part in the role of a conductor.

You will need to provide examples of you dealing with the above type situations, demonstrating your abilities and suitability for the role.

You might want to consider a platform role, dispatching trains and dealing with customers to start with if you have no safety critical or railway experience.

 

[jay3562]

To get the job you will have to show the interviewer that you satisfy the key competencies for the job . You have to match your knowledge and experience to the person spec in the job advert .

As someone above has said its a safety critical role so you will need to demonstrate that you are capable of following safety rules and understanding why you followed them .They wont be expecting an example from the railway industry but many jobs involve following rules even basic health and safety rules .

A lot of TOC's now have given the role a customer service focus so experience dealing with customers would be particularly useful try getting a Saturday job in a shop .

Because of the nature of the shifts required with the Job the TOC might be looking for someone who has experience of working extreme shifts

Problem solving skills might also be something a TOC looks for .

 

[bigbear]

If your local train company has jobs advertised for on train buffet staff, that could also be a route and good experience/stepping stone into applying for a conductor role later on as you will get good customer service experience and your knowledge of the role of a conducfor will also be good as you will be working with them....