Thanks for your contribution and agreed with the two routes into the role although I think it will be very difficult (if not impossible) for someone who has not worked in the railways to become a Driver Manager.
With the more technical roles you need driving experience because you directly manage peoples competency and you also need the ability to train and assess. They carry a cab pass and are frequently in the driving cab. Should anything happen then they would drive the unit. They need to knowledge and ability because of the duties they are required to fill.
I spoke to an Ops Manager this evening and he was stating that his driving competence has very much lapsed. He is not required to carry out safety critical duties and he is rarely in a train let alone a cab. He is an ex Driver that has gone up the ladder to the Ops Manager role. He doesn't get involved with Drivers but manages the DM team. He makes sure they are doing their jobs correctly and that the depots run smoothly. His experience in invaluable because he knows what he is talking about and as he understands the roles beneath him he can do his job better and can communicate with his team better. He also used to be a Manager in a previous life and by all accounts he is a very good Manager.
I would imagine when you mean 'Management experience' to be someone who has worked in the railways such as the example you gave:
Not always. I have a management background and most, if not all, the skills are very transferable. I've run payroll (local) and managed rosters, staffing, recruitment as well as stock and various ordering systems too. I have cash handling experience and know my way around Excel and basic office software. KPI's are generally universal. Qualification wise I never really gained any as mine was all vocational and I came up the ranks successfully completing each role along the way. However; there are Management apprentice schemes and various graduate programs. You can get various business qualifications as well as basic NVQ's (I'm currently working on a management one) A good Manager could manage anything.
The more technical roles (competency managers) require knowledge of what they are managing. How could I assess someone in rules if I don't know them myself ? How can I sit in a meeting and discuss training requirements when I have no idea what they are ? Also, you are expected to ensure standards are met and maintained. You need competence to do that. Sadly You also need be in a position where the person sitting opposite you may be disciplined and up for termination etc. How can you do that without an understanding of the role ? This isn't just railway either. This would apply in many technical industries.
"Our last Depot Manager role was filled by a career Manager who came from station management."
You get a lot of those. People who just climb the corporate ladder or those who shift roles constantly. The Manager who got me into management said he does 3 years then moves up or across. 1 to learn, 1 to do the role, the next to pass on what he knows so he can move on. I have met 2 railway Managers with a similar philosophy. They are there purely to tick a box, and climb the next step. However, I've met many career managers in my time.
I think it's clear why this role stated 'Driving experience preferable' It just makes you more qualified to do the role and it also get you a little more respect. I must admit that when I climbed the ladder it made me a better Manager. The more experience you have the better you are I think. I remember training a young lady on a Graduate scheme. She went through each department at an accelerated pace and had those of us in the roles teach her everything. She was very knowledgeable and well skilled. I would also say that going the qualified route can also make you a good Manager.
Pay wise. I also agree with the previous poster that the less qualified roles tend to pay less. To me that shows the industry also sees them as a lesser role. Managers who manage other Managers tend to get reshuffled and restructured a lot. Job security wise I'm not sure I'd take that role or anything similar. Crikey it even stated they were to act as a 'Figurehead'
I never want to go back into the Management grade and if another Driver or Manager asks me to do it I think I'm gonna scream. I had two tell me tonight ! ! ! !
The railway has a lot of pen pushing, paper shuffling, and tick box exercises; not being negative ffs.
