Job security over different roles

[Philip]

I currently work in a booking office for Northern in Greater Manchester and have done for a long time, but the drop off in sales is worrying and the job is feeling a bit stale right now, with tickets only just breaking double figures some days. Online is taking over, at least where I work. I'm just wondering what people think about the security and benefits of other possible roles in the industry, before deciding on anything.

I'm thinking of the following:

Manchester Piccadilly travel centre.
Piccadilly platform staff.
Avanti onboard catering.
Guard (Northern, Avanti, TPE, Cross Country).
A very busy Northern booking office like Oxford Road, Liverpool Lime Street, or Bolton.
A job in Control/operations.
Diagram planning.


Do any of these look promising, or are there any that it would be foolish to move from my current job to; either because of job security or drop in pay? I know I have left out driving, but I don't think I'm ready for that.

Any advice will be appreciated, thanks!

 

[cakefiend]

My opinions below.

Manchester Piccadilly travel centre - Probably more secure. Although, run by a smaller TOC (in terms of staff) so fewer opportunities for redeployment.
Piccadilly platform staff - Depends who you work for. I know most of TPE's are agency, but dispatch is going to be around for a while. Some TOCs with longer trains may try to use only one dispatcher per train, though.
Avanti onboard catering - Probably okay, I don't see catering being withdrawn. Although they may cut back.
Guard (Northern, Avanti, TPE, Cross Country) - Relatively safe for now, especially compared to other roles.
A very busy Northern booking office like Oxford Road, Liverpool Lime Street, or Bolton - Safe bet.
A job in Control/operations - Fairly safe, controllers will always be needed. Although fewer will be required if less trains run, or TOCs/franchises merge.
Diagram planning - As above.

 

[Philip]

My opinions below.

Manchester Piccadilly travel centre - Probably more secure. Although, run by a smaller TOC (in terms of staff) so fewer opportunities for redeployment.
Piccadilly platform staff - Depends who you work for. I know most of TPE's are agency, but dispatch is going to be around for a while. Some TOCs with longer trains may try to use only one dispatcher per train, though.
Avanti onboard catering - Probably okay, I don't see catering being withdrawn. Although they may cut back.
Guard (Northern, Avanti, TPE, Cross Country) - Relatively safe for now, especially compared to other roles.
A very busy Northern booking office like Oxford Road, Liverpool Lime Street, or Bolton - Safe bet.
A job in Control/operations - Fairly safe, controllers will always be needed. Although fewer will be required if less trains run, or TOCs/franchises merge.
Diagram planning - As above.

Thanks for feedback!

I currently work in a booking office for Northern in Greater Manchester and have done for a long time, but the drop off in sales is worrying and the job is feeling a bit stale right now, with tickets only just breaking double figures some days. Online is taking over, at least where I work. I'm just wondering what people think about the security and benefits of other possible roles in the industry, before deciding on anything.

I'm thinking of the following:

Manchester Piccadilly travel centre.
Piccadilly platform staff.
Avanti onboard catering.
Guard (Northern, Avanti, TPE, Cross Country).
A very busy Northern booking office like Oxford Road, Liverpool Lime Street, or Bolton.
A job in Control/operations.
Diagram planning.


Do any of these look promising, or are there any that it would be foolish to move from my current job to; either because of job security or drop in pay? I know I have left out driving, but I don't think I'm ready for that.

Any advice will be appreciated, thanks!

With the guard role, is it likely to still be there in say 10 years?

And for any size of booking office or travel centre, what is likely in say 5 years from now?