Rail Traction (or similar) courses available / useful?

[Buel]

Hello all.
I appreciate and understand that there are no ‘quick fixes’ or guarantees to help your application with any rail companies but I see that there are various courses out there that offer courses that look as if they could help. For example; https://ntar.co.uk/?courses=ex-forces-traction-and-rolling-stock-systems-certificate

Thoughts, please?

 

[tiptoptaff]

It's a familiarisation course for qualified engineers who haven't worked on rolling stock before, to assist them with getting engineering jobs when they come out. It will be of 0 help to someone who isn't a qualified engineer looking to become a rolling stock engineer.

 

[Buel]

Thank you.
To broaden my question, other courses are

• Certificate | EAL Level 3 in Traction and Rolling Stock systems | NTAR 3104

• Train radio and cab safety systems

• Train systems and schematic drawings

There are others too, but my question is would these help an individual with their application? And if so, are there others out there that would also help?

 

[tiptoptaff]

No, they will not help you in any way. The advice here is always do not read ahead. You will be looking at information that you don't understand and won't know how to apply.

Let the TOCs teach you, if you get that far.

 

[Buel]

No, they will not help you in any way. The advice here is always do not read ahead. You will be looking at information that you don't understand and won't know how to apply.

Let the TOCs teach you, if you get that far.

Great advice! Thank you.

 

[Buel]

No, they will not help you in any way. The advice here is always do not read ahead.

Although, what I would say, is if two applications were identical and one had showed that they had made independent efforts to become well versed in the rail industry, this must get looked upon more favourably than the one who had not?

 

[Joliver]

Although, what I would say, is if two applications were identical and one had showed that they had made independent efforts to become well versed in the rail industry, this must get looked upon more favourably than the one who had not?

It won't help you what so ever. Applicants who have already passed the psychometric tests get rejected at the application (paper sift) stage. I wouldn't waste your time or money.

 

[Buel]

Applicants who have already passed the psychometric tests get rejected at the application (paper sift) stage. I wouldn't waste your time or money.

Although the psychometric tests give no indication whatsoever that said applicant has evidenced interest in the rail industry.

 

[Joliver]

No, but it saves the TOC they're applying to money as they don't have to put them through the whole process with the OPC and they still get rejected. Surely a psychometric pass outways a non relevant course qualification. Just my opinion, good luck.

 

[Buel]

No, but it saves the TOC they're applying to money as they don't have to put them through the whole process with the OPC and they still get rejected. Surely a psychometric pass outways a non relevant course qualification. Just my opinion, good luck.

It does outway it. Good point.

 

[theironroad]

Those courses listed wouldn't help and generally it's easier to start driver training from a blank sheet.

As most TOCs are really into 'customer service', you'd probably be better getting experience in that and experience of shift work and dealing with situations under pressure.

 

[Railengineer]

No, they will not help you in any way. The advice here is always do not read ahead. You will be looking at information that you don't understand and won't know how to apply.

Let the TOCs teach you, if you get that far.

I tend to agree. NTAR is 50% sponsored by Siemens so it is all about them, rather biased I am afraid

 

[Buel]

Those courses listed wouldn't help and generally it's easier to start driver training from a blank sheet.

As most TOCs are really into 'customer service', you'd probably be better getting experience in that and experience of shift work and dealing with situations under pressure.

Wow, the customer service thing is news to me!?! I didn’t think that train drivers get that much exposure to the customers?

 

[theironroad]

Wow, the customer service thing is news to me!?! I didn’t think that train drivers get that much exposure to the customers?

To be honest, they don't on the whole. My toc don't send drivers on customer service courses unlike some staff, but having a bit of experience can't hurt when trying to get the job.