StevoD Posted December 5, 2016 Share Posted December 5, 2016 Straight to the point, looking to get a career on track no pun intended, i want to work in a sector i find interesting bu have zero idea where to start. if there is anyone who would be happy to talk to me via PM would be highly appreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zeezeebaba Posted December 6, 2016 Share Posted December 6, 2016 Probably best to contact the rail company that operates in your area and ask them. I applied for a drivers job about ten years ago and the only people on the course with me that got through already worked for the rail company as guards. I don't know much about other office based roles though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biggzi Posted December 6, 2016 Share Posted December 6, 2016 My friend is a train driver. From what I saw of his experience it was a massive uphill battle! It took him a very long time and lots of applications to get into the job. He then had at least 6-7 years worth of training and shunting trains around the yard before he was ever let loose on a real train. I was very surprised by the amount of work involved in becoming a train driver. My aunt has worked in the ticket offices pretty much her whole life. Shes seems to get great benefits, discounts and really really good overtime pay. They are also very flexible with her hours which is good for her as she has a daughter to look after. She seems to enjoy the job. But she has said to me in the past that they will always try and hire internally first (I suppose like a lot of companies). That's pretty much my 2 cents. Hopefully your'll be able to take something from it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strudul Posted December 6, 2016 Share Posted December 6, 2016 Well the industry is massive and covers a massive array of jobs. Might want to start by narrowing it down a little bit by the type of role you are after - driver, conductor, engineer, maintenance etc? My understanding is that it's bloody hard to become a driver. Super competitive, but really good pay for a relatively easy job once you get there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevoD Posted December 6, 2016 Author Share Posted December 6, 2016 not driving more maintenance/coordinating of rolling stock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The G Man Posted December 6, 2016 Share Posted December 6, 2016 (edited) Sadly, there's a lot of nepotism still prevalent in the rail industry, however don't let that put you off. There are several career tracks, no pun intended, that you can go, depending on your quals. Engineering (civil and mechanical), maintenance, operations, which is more to do with the running of trains (drivers, conductors, station staff etc.), so run by Train Operating Companies (TOCs) or Network Rail for the track, power and signalling side. It all depends on your qualifications, but the opportunities are endless in the railway industry. There are a lot of sub contract companies working for NR. Driver training takes two years, it's all dependent on hrs and traction driven with basic rules and traction courses to be completed before being given a driver instructor, roughly 300hrs of train handling, but can be more before being passed out as a driver. No formal qualifications are required but there is a large, competitive field that TOCs can choose from. Lots of teachers, policemen and other professionals are attracted by the high wages and excellent benefits. The entry tests are not that difficult, attention to detail is where most applicants fall down and psychometric testing weeds them out. Don't bother applying if you're colour blind, for a driving position, for obvious reasons. If you like the outdoor life, in all weathers, mostly nights and certainly all bank holidays, then Permanent Way (PWay) is the way to go. That's NR. Pay and conditions (apart from when it's driving rain and freezing) are excellent. Do your research and keep applying, you may have to move for the right job. Ok edit: just seen your post, if it's rolling stock maintenance TOCs run this part. Coordination of rolling stock, that's more a control/TCS type job. You'll not walk in off the street to either of those posts. Edited December 6, 2016 by The G Man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevoD Posted December 6, 2016 Author Share Posted December 6, 2016 No i know i wont walk in off the street but hoping i can find someone who could give some info on which way to head to get to that point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The G Man Posted December 6, 2016 Share Posted December 6, 2016 'In off the street' is a railway term. Have you looked on any of the TOCs sites to see what's available? I know of people who've started as carriage cleaners and ended up seriously high on the management scales, the last MD was a carpet fitter, who started in the signalling grade. It is an industry that offers limitless opportunity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strudul Posted December 6, 2016 Share Posted December 6, 2016 Not sure if it will be specific enough for you, but might give an idea. Prospects let's you search for jobs, tells you about them, the qualifications required, and the entry paths. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevoD Posted December 6, 2016 Author Share Posted December 6, 2016 'In off the street' is a railway term. Have you looked on any of the TOCs sites to see what's available? I know of people who've started as carriage cleaners and ended up seriously high on the management scales, the last MD was a carpet fitter, who started in the signalling grade. It is an industry that offers limitless opportunity. yea i have applied for a role of two unsuccessfully Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevoD Posted December 6, 2016 Author Share Posted December 6, 2016 wish i had tried for one of the apprenticeships with eurostar etc. when i left school not gone with volkswagen :/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The G Man Posted December 6, 2016 Share Posted December 6, 2016 (edited) 'In off the street' is a railway term. Have you looked on any of the TOCs sites to see what's available? I know of people who've started as carriage cleaners and ended up seriously high on the management scales, the last MD was a carpet fitter, who started in the signalling grade. It is an industry that offers limitless opportunity. yea i have applied for a role of two unsuccessfully This one was in June, bit there are others, it gives a good insight on what's on offer http://www.raillive.com/ Opportunities to network as well Edited December 6, 2016 by The G Man 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rock_Steady Posted December 12, 2016 Share Posted December 12, 2016 London underground steve. My Uncle works for them in maintenance and gets a decent pay packet and a bloody good pension with lots of holidays. Unsociable hours mind you but still, Good money and a secure job. Worth a thought i'd've thought. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randy_Baton Posted December 12, 2016 Share Posted December 12, 2016 If you'r starting a new career in any field you need to consider the role that automation might have. I doubt train drive/conductor will even be a job in 10 years time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted December 12, 2016 Share Posted December 12, 2016 Sssshhhh, don't let the unions hear you say that, you'll be lynched! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AliveBoy Posted December 12, 2016 Share Posted December 12, 2016 If you'r starting a new career in any field you need to consider the role that automation might have. I doubt train drive/conductor will even be a job in 10 years time. not driving more maintenance/coordinating of rolling stock RTFP. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kev T Posted December 12, 2016 Share Posted December 12, 2016 The continual strikes on Southern Railways are going to encourage the pioneering of driverless trains i am sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The G Man Posted December 13, 2016 Share Posted December 13, 2016 Driverless trains already exist, they're all in sidings, going nowhere Go Sothern Rail Anyway, that's not helping Steve. I've got some relatively high up friends in Network Rail darn sarf, I'll ask what your first move should be to get into maintenance/planning. Got a few friends with TFL as well, on the maintenance side, I'll give them a poke too Wait out........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flex Posted December 13, 2016 Share Posted December 13, 2016 Steve, I think you're going off the rails with this career choice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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