TfL (London Underground) CSA

[Theurbanjedi]

Hello all

I was an infrequent poster to the Freightliner Trainee Train Driver thread, and was gutted not to make it through (although it seems that Freightliner may not be the driving force it expected itself to be?)

I just wanted to share my news that I was successful in the latest round of recruitment for Customer Service Assistant on London Underground, and am keen to know if anyone with any knowledge can share with me the likelihood of 'rising up the ladder' and what roles can be expected if you decide to chase promotion?

How much easier (if at all) would it be to become a train driver/operator on TfL as an internal candidate?

Many thanks for your help

UJ

 

[Mojo]

Yes. Unless you are in the military, then the only way at present to become a Train Operator on the Underground is to apply as an existing employee of TfL or one of its subsidiaries. They are desperately short of Train Operators at the moment given the increased numbers needed for line upgrades, new timetables and Night Tube.

 

[Sean0457]

I also applied for CSA. Well done on getting through (I take it that was the phone interview?) I also got to the next stage but am currently awaiting for an assessment date for December - must say it has been a very slow process, in two months all I've had is the phone interview!

I'm also looking to move into tube driving...good luck

 

[evoice]

Yes. Unless you are in the military, then the only way at present to become a Train Operator on the Underground is to apply as an existing employee of TfL or one of its subsidiaries. They are desperately short of Train Operators at the moment given the increased numbers needed for line upgrades, new timetables and Night Tube.

Hi mojo, how do they recruit military personnel? How true is it? Just curious as I was one of them

 

[a729]

Hello all

I was an infrequent poster to the Freightliner Trainee Train Driver thread, and was gutted not to make it through (although it seems that Freightliner may not be the driving force it expected itself to be?)

I just wanted to share my news that I was successful in the latest round of recruitment for Customer Service Assistant on London Underground, and am keen to know if anyone with any knowledge can share with me the likelihood of 'rising up the ladder' and what roles can be expected if you decide to chase promotion?

How much easier (if at all) would it be to become a train driver/operator on TfL as an internal candidate?

Many thanks for your help

UJ

I imagine you'd have to wait for the dust to settle after the Fit4theFuture plans to be finished before promotions become available again

 

[Mojo]

I imagine you'd have to wait for the dust to settle after the Fit4theFuture plans to be finished before promotions become available again

'Fit for the Future' currently only affects stations grades, and Administrators working for station management. There is currently a shortage of Train Operators given future plans and there will be plenty of opportunities for CSAs hoping to make a sideways transfer into Train Operator throughout 2015.

 

[Nym]

'Fit for the Future' currently only affects stations grades, and Administrators working for station management. There is currently a shortage of Train Operators given future plans and there will be plenty of opportunities for CSAs hoping to make a sideways transfer into Train Operator throughout 2015.

Until someone pushes for a fleet of 191 trains to become UTO, or at least partial UTO.

 

[Met Driver]

Train Operator is being advertised internally at the moment.

There is currently a shortage of Train Operators given future plans and there will be plenty of opportunities for CSAs hoping to make a sideways transfer into Train Operator throughout 2015.

A 'sideways transfer' in terms of positioning within their respective reporting structures, but a promotion in every other sense.

 

[Loopyloo]

Good morning all. Stumbled on this forum so thought I would say Hi. Am in early stages of csa process for Tfl, so quite apprehensive as normally useless in interviews and tests......
Am I right in what I read that Tfl are only offering fixed term contracts this year?

 

[allurehomme]

Hi, I'm the same as loopyloo. Just applied for the TFL CSA post, I'm in a permanent job right now but just noticed its only fixed term. Does anyone working for TFL already, know whether this would ever become permanent or what other progression there could be? Thanks a lot, from a first timer!

 

[LUL]

Hi, I'm the same as loopyloo. Just applied for the TFL CSA post, I'm in a permanent job right now but just noticed its only fixed term. Does anyone working for TFL already, know whether this would ever become permanent or what other progression there could be? Thanks a lot, from a first timer!

It's a big put of for quite a few people it only being a fixed term contact. TFL won't offer any assurances about possible renewable but in the past most have been, but nothing for certain. What's the odds of your contract not being renewed but being offered a lower grade roll under fit for future stations? Not a risk I would be keen on taking.

 

[Mojo]

It's a big put of for quite a few people it only being a fixed term contact. TFL won't offer any assurances about possible renewable but in the past most have been, but nothing for certain. What's the odds of your contract not being renewed but being offered a lower grade roll under fit for future stations? Not a risk I would be keen on taking.

This is what I've been thinking. You'd effectively be on probation for 18 Months. Although to be fair, the new CSA2 grade still pays more than similar jobs at most Tocs, and I bet it still comes with better perks!

 

[a729]

This is what I've been thinking. You'd effectively be on probation for 18 Months. Although to be fair, the new CSA2 grade still pays more than similar jobs at most Tocs, and I bet it still comes with better perks!

I only received a 12 month contract!

 

[LUL]

This is what I've been thinking. You'd effectively be on probation for 18 Months. Although to be fair, the new CSA2 grade still pays more than similar jobs at most Tocs, and I bet it still comes with better perks!

Although it would pay similar to jobs at other TOCs for myself to be go back to similar money as I get now if I did get deskilled to CSA2 would be very disappointing after just a year on better money for a job I'd get less satisfaction from. You'd at the end of the 12 months be fully settled in IE getting roistered in a group what happens after that? If your lucky and get took on as a CSA2 reserve again or SRT. Reserves are going to be night duties galore!

 

[a729]

Although it would pay similar to jobs at other TOCs for myself to be go back to similar money as I get now if I did get deskilled to CSA2 would be very disappointing after just a year on better money for a job I'd get less satisfaction from. You'd at the end of the 12 months be fully settled in IE getting roistered in a group what happens after that? If your lucky and get took on as a CSA2 reserve again or SRT. Reserves are going to be night duties galore!

What's an SRT?

 

[LUL]

What's an SRT?

Special Requirements Team they were previously called the Special Events Team. In a nutshell cover additional duties because of a Special Requirement IE broken escalator, football duties or local events. They election to cover a zone based from there home address so aren't allocated to a group, but could work anywhere as traveling time if it's outside of there zone is paid.

They don't work dead late's or dead early's and I'm not sure exactly how there rota works but it's not known in full IE the next year like group staff would be.

 

[a729]

Special Requirements Team they were previously called the Special Events Team. In a nutshell cover additional duties because of a Special Requirement IE broken escalator, football duties or local events. They election to cover a zone based from there home address so aren't allocated to a group, but could work anywhere as traveling time if it's outside of there zone is paid.

They don't work dead late's or dead early's and I'm not sure exactly how there rota works but it's not known in full IE the next year like group staff would be.

Oh ok thanks. I remember seeing some staff with SRT hi-vis' at Euston emerging from a staff room yesterday- probably manning the closed escalators to the Southern Vic/Northern(Bank) platforms.
It sounds like it might be better to get a normal station group to serve rather than been moved around at little notice

 

[LUL]

Oh ok thanks. I remember seeing some staff with SRT hi-vis' at Euston emerging from a staff room yesterday- probably manning the closed escalators to the Southern Vic/Northern(Bank) platforms.
It sounds like it might be better to get a normal station group to serve rather than been moved around at little notice

The no dead ealy's or dead lates that will suit some people. Some people would like that routine, but equally ask someone at Waterloo if they would like to be there all the time :roll:

 

[a729]

The no dead ealy's or dead lates that will suit some people. Some people would like that routine, but equally ask someone at Waterloo if they would like to be there all the time :roll:

Lol that's true but surely Waterloo is more 'fun' than say Roding Valley!

 

[LUL]

Lol that's true but surely Waterloo is more 'fun' than say Roding Valley!

I'm not a cleaner nor employed by LUL but spend much of my working day with their staff. But Waterloo from what I have been reliably informed run with a iron fist compared to other groups and stations. Not getting any extra breaks other then what is allowed by their contact & no "long" meal breaks, in my experience LUL station staff are taken care of very well, sometimes even let go an hour or more early!

 

[Tubeboy]

As someone who has worked on LU as station staff for ther last 11 years, cutaways [going home earlier than your booked shift] are usually 30 minutes, provided the station is adequately staffed eg emergencies, crowd control etc.

In my experience, cutaways of an hour or more are extremely rare.

Waterloo does have a very harsh reputation. not having worked there, but knowing people who do, its classed as an unpopular place to work. However some have no issue with it.

 

[a729]

I'm not a cleaner nor employed by LUL but spend much of my working day with their staff. But Waterloo from what I have been reliably informed run with a iron fist compared to other groups and stations. Not getting any extra breaks other then what is allowed by their contact & no "long" meal breaks, in my experience LUL station staff are taken care of very well, sometimes even let go an hour or more early!

I see, at first I thought you meant because of how busy it was lol!

I agree from what I gather LU staff enjoy fantastic perks and remuneration!

 

[Loopyloo]

Hello everyone, been researching about stages of recruitment and the assessment centre.....apprehensive already about numeracy & literacy tests, role playing and then face to face interview and then having a medical. Could anyone give some recent experiences please? Thank you

 

[a729]

Hello everyone, been researching about stages of recruitment and the assessment centre.....apprehensive already about numeracy & literacy tests, role playing and then face to face interview and then having a medical. Could anyone give some recent experiences please? Thank you

Search google for 'TfL CSA 2014' and have a look at the most recent forum result

 

[332 > 444]

The vacancy is still on the website although the closing date has passed.