Network Rail Operatives and Technicians - General Discussion

[Golfer89]

Hi guys, I have been offered an interview for an operative(off track) in Scotland. Just wondering if anyone can shed some light on.
1. What is involved on a daily basis
2. What shift pattern is(it does involves nights/weekends)
3. How does overtime work? I.e roster premium etc how much extra would this be?
Also any tips for the interview would be greatly appreciated. Cheers

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 24 Mar 2024 ==

Hi guys, I have been offered an interview for an operative(off track) in Scotland. Just wondering if anyone can shed some light on.
1. What is involved on a daily basis
2. What shift pattern is(it does involves nights/weekends)
3. How does overtime work? I.e roster premium etc how much extra would this be?
Also any tips for the interview would be greatly appreciated. Cheers

Anyone help?

 

[LCC106]

In the absence of any reply these would be good questions to ask at interview.

 

[Golfer89]

In the absence of any reply these would be good questions to ask at interview.

Yeah thanks for your reply. I was just hoping for some insight to already have the answers. I shall try do more research online etc

 

[Charladenz]

Not sure if your position is with Network Rail or another company but you can search all the threads on here for specific words - using the magnifying glass at the top of the forum. Worth a try for the role you have applied for.

Good luck

 

[Golfer89]

Not sure if your position is with Network Rail or another company but you can search all the threads on here for specific words - using the magnifying glass at the top of the forum. Worth a try for the role you have applied for.

Good luck

Yeah position is with network rail. I have searched and found some information was hoping for any extra. Thanks

 

[Saltire1973]

Hi guys, I have been offered an interview for an operative(off track) in Scotland. Just wondering if anyone can shed some light on.
1. What is involved on a daily basis
2. What shift pattern is(it does involves nights/weekends)
3. How does overtime work? I.e roster premium etc how much extra would this be?
Also any tips for the interview would be greatly appreciated. Cheers

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 24 Mar 2024 ==


Anyone help?

Hi Golfer - sorry I can't help with your question, but is your application for the recent vacancies for Edinburgh? I also applied but haven't been invited to interview (yet).

I got an email stating my application had been passed to the Hiring Manager for consideration, but nothing further yet. I know railway recruitment can be slow so was pleasantly surprised to see progress as the closing date was only last Tuesday.

Good luck with your application and if you wouldn't mind posting your progress and any other information you find out, I would be grateful

 

[Golfer89]

Hi Golfer - sorry I can't help with your question, but is your application for the recent vacancies for Edinburgh? I also applied but haven't been invited to interview (yet).

I got an email stating my application had been passed to the Hiring Manager for consideration, but nothing further yet. I know railway recruitment can be slow so was pleasantly surprised to see progress as the closing date was only last Tuesday.

Good luck with your application and if you wouldn't mind posting your progress and any other information you find out, I would be grateful

Hi Saltire no mines is for Perth. I think I got an email for interview around 1 week-10 days. Thanks yeah I shall keep you updated. Good luck

 

[Golfer89]

I have just had my interview. The shifts are 2 weeks day shift and 2 weeks night shift. Day shift is 7.30-5 and night shift is 10-7.30 my confusion is it is advertised at 35per week so these don’t add up(in my head) also I didn’t ask about shift enhancements. Can anyone enlighten me to how shift enhancement works it says 10% shift premium for nights and rest/overtime. Can someone explain how much extra could be earned or is the salary with all these already factored in? I can’t seem to figure it out. Cheers

 

[traineemanc07]

Hi in regards to hours. I would suggest that hours are correct but haven't factored in your break period to come off that. In regards to pay, I would suggest the advertised amount would be the basic and then anything earned additional on top of that.

 

[Ducatist4]

You'll have mandatory breaks that you don't get paid for but take up part of your working day. Where i am we have to take a minimum of 30 minutes at lunchtime for instance.

 

[Golfer89]

Hi in regards to hours. I would suggest that hours are correct but haven't factored in your break period to come off that. In regards to pay, I would suggest the advertised amount would be the basic and then anything earned additional on top of that.

Hi Hull I appreciate the feedback. Any idea on how to calculate the enhancement ie 10% of hourly wage/ daily? Yeah I did think breaks which makes sense. Any insight as to how much extra the enhancements are worth?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 25 Apr 2024 ==

You'll have mandatory breaks that you don't get paid for but take up part of your working day. Where i am we have to take a minimum of 30 minutes at lunchtime for instance.

You'll have mandatory breaks that you don't get paid for but take up part of your working day. Where i am we have to take a minimum of 30 minutes at lunchtime for instance.

h

You'll have mandatory breaks that you don't get paid for but take up part of your working day. Where i am we have to take a minimum of 30 minutes at lunchtime for instance.

Hi mate appreciate the response are you off track? Do you know how much enhancements are worth or calculated?

 

[Golfer89]

Hi Golfer - sorry I can't help with your question, but is your application for the recent vacancies for Edinburgh? I also applied but haven't been invited to interview (yet).

I got an email stating my application had been passed to the Hiring Manager for consideration, but nothing further yet. I know railway recruitment can be slow so was pleasantly surprised to see progress as the closing date was only last Tuesday.

Good luck with your application and if you wouldn't mind posting your progress and any other information you find out, I would be grateful

Have you received any word yet?

 

[Saltire1973]

Have you received any word yet?

Yes - unfortunately I got the "Thanks for your application, but on this occasion................" email. How did you get on?

 

[Golfer89]

Yes - unfortunately I got the "Thanks for your application, but on this occasion................" email. How did you get on?

Aww that sucks! Don’t let it put you off. What’s the plans now still apply for the railway? I had an interview today which I thought went well but I believe they are interviewing for a couple of days so I imagine there is a lot of candidates. But fingers crossed I get it

 

[Saltire1973]

Aww that sucks! Don’t let it put you off. What’s the plans now still apply for the railway? I had an interview today which I thought went well but I believe they are interviewing for a couple of days so I imagine there is a lot of candidates. But fingers crossed I get it

Hi Golfer, I've got a couple of applications in with Scotrail, one is showing as "under consideration" and one showing "under further consideration" but their recruitment department are painfully slow, I suspect they are very understaffed. I've had one of those applications in since May last year and the other since February.

I've also applied for another position with NR, which is still being processed. Also looking at something at the Airport, but my heart is really on the railways.

Can't complain though, I'm in a fairly good position financially and workwise.

Fingers crossed that your interview went well and your successful

 

[Golfer89]

Hi Golfer, I've got a couple of applications in with Scotrail, one is showing as "under consideration" and one showing "under further consideration" but their recruitment department are painfully slow, I suspect they are very understaffed. I've had one of those applications in since May last year and the other since February.

I've also applied for another position with NR, which is still being processed. Also looking at something at the Airport, but my heart is really on the railways.

Can't complain though, I'm in a fairly good position financially and workwise.

Fingers crossed that your interview went well and your successful

Hi saltire. Unfortunately got the email saying I was unsuccessful

 

[Saltire1973]

Hi saltire. Unfortunately got the email saying I was unsuccessful

Aww, that's a shame - I sometimes wonder if there's already someone earmarked for these jobs and the advertising is just done as part of a process.

What's the next plan?

 

[delboy78]

Hello wondering if anyone can help me. Ive got an interview with network rail for the job title of an operative. It was mentioned in the application that bpss checks are carried out, and having a criminal record from 5 years ago it doesnt become spent until 2026. Ive recently applied for this role 2 other times got to the interview stage and not been successful and im not sure if its because im answering the questions wrong or there is something affecting their decision i.e my previous conviction but my convictions dont affect or relate to the job so shouldnt affect. I was wondering what advice was available on here as im clueless to why im not Succeeding. Im mentioning the live saving rules. The long term and short term goals of network rail. Im actually going into every interview very prepared in terms of company research. Any help would be greatly appreciated

 

[LCC106]

Have you asked for feedback as to why you’ve been unsuccessful?

 

[delboy78]

Yeah and HR said they passed it on to the hiring manager and havent heard anything back and now HR arent responding to my emails to chase it

 

[zero1990]

Hello all.

I recently applied to be a trainee train driver and unfortunately whilst i was shortlisted for interview, I live 6 minutes over the 45 min permitted distance from the depot (during rush hour). So my application was withdrawn and I couldn't progress further.

Anyway im fairly keen to get started some way or another on the railway and i saw an advertisement for Track Operative with NWR. I applied and I've been offered to come for an interview.

My question is, whats it like to work for NWR?

Im aware this role may involve manual labour. Is there anything else i should know?

The basic pay is £29k. Is nights and weekends paid at time and a half? I have read on the forum that if you do overtime you can earn significantly more.

Lastly what is career progression like?

Thank you!

 

[alxndr]

It will involve manual labour, and a lot of nights/weekends.

Work will be in gangs, which are tending to get smaller but are often 5+ people when contractors are included, so quite different to train driving in that regard.

Nights and weekends are time and 10%.

 

[Ducatist4]

I watched a NR gang shovelling ballast from one side of the track to the other - it looked blooming hard work!

 

[zero1990]

It will involve manual labour, and a lot of nights/weekends.

Work will be in gangs, which are tending to get smaller but are often 5+ people when contractors are included, so quite different to train driving in that regard.

Nights and weekends are time and 10%.

From what i have read people seem to enjoy it and i dont shy away from manual labour. Despite being mostly office based the last 10 years.

Im just hoping its not the kind of job you get stuck into as im seeing it as more of a stepping stone. Though i probably wont tell them that at the interview lol

 

[richfoz84]

Seen the signalling operative listing on NR website. At £34k salary. Is shift allowance on top? Any other allowance etc?

 

[alxndr]

Im just hoping its not the kind of job you get stuck into as im seeing it as more of a stepping stone. Though i probably wont tell them that at the interview lol

Some people do it forever quite happily, others move up or onto other things. How long it’ll take will depend on the amount of movement in your area, although you’re realistically looking at needing at least a few years to move up within the p-way department.

Seen the signalling operative listing on NR website. At £34k salary. Is shift allowance on top? Any other allowance etc?

10% shift allowance on top. Triple time for Christmas/Boxing Day/New Years Day (if worked).

 

[zero1990]

Some people do it forever quite happily, others move up or onto other things. How long it’ll take will depend on the amount of movement in your area, although you’re realistically looking at needing at least a few years to move up within the p-way department.


10% shift allowance on top. Triple time for Christmas/Boxing Day/New Years Day (if worked).

Okay thanks for that. If im successful and get the job, if other opportunities arise such as a s&t operative, would i be able to apply?

 

[Golfer89]

Aww, that's a shame - I sometimes wonder if there's already someone earmarked for these jobs and the advertising is just done as part of a process.

What's the next plan?

Hi saltire a quick update. I was lucky enough to secure an off track position which I start on 24/09/24. I hope you have had some luck and also secured a position.

 

[alxndr]

Okay thanks for that. If im successful and get the job, if other opportunities arise such as a s&t operative, would i be able to apply?

Yes, you’d be able to go for any of the NR internal vacancies including S&T. Quite a few people come over to S&T from pway.

 

[LCC106]

Well done!