I also applied for 1 of these roles and have had an email saying I've passed the online tests and am being considered for the next stage which I think is interview.
I called the recruitment team to enquire about what you are asking and received the following .....
Brief Description
Out in all weathers, youll play a highly practical role in keeping Britain moving. Across a wide range of manual maintenance tasks, the efficiency and safety of the railway is in your hands.
About the role (External)
Youll be on the frontline, working shifts to deliver a variety of manual maintenance tasks. Whether your focus is on track, signalling or electrification, youll keep our assets in perfect working order. Which means youll pay a key role in keeping commuters and freight safe, and making journeys smooth.
This is a hands-on role, working outdoors in all weathers. Carrying out general maintenance, your range of duties will include everything from shovelling ballast to carrying out lookout duties for your team. Youll check all kinds of things, to ensure they are in great working order from vehicles and plant to equipment, tools and materials. In everything you do, youll work safely and efficiently. If youve got what it takes, well provide all the training, protective clothing and support you need to succeed.
Essential Criteria
· Experience of working in an environment where safety is vital
· Willing and able to work shifts, including days, nights and weekends
· A team player
· Conscientious, reliable and hard working
· Keen to develop new skills
· Good communication skills, both in person and in writing
· Meet the required benchmark for application screening questions
· Must meet required online testing benchmark
Desirable Criteria
· To hold or be working towards an NVQ 1 (or equivalent) in a relevant subject
· Willing and able to drive vehicles
This role involves days, nights and weekend working, and is a safety critical role so subject to drug and alcohol testing and passing of the relevant medical assessment.
it said the salary is Circa £22,500 per annum & the guy on the phone seemed to think that was excluding shift pay ? maybe someone can verify if this is the case or not ?
He also told me that after the test you'll either get a rejection or if you've met the benchmark (which he said was about 35%) then you'd go under consideration for interview, said they dont really take the 'top scorers' but look at the applicants for the most suitable for the interviews.
If that has shift pay on top it isn't a bad salary tbh for an operative role and as it is at £22,500 it's higher than some skilled engineering jobs outside the rail industry.
I've found NR's recruitment team to be open to any questions and happy to look into test scores etc for me.