Work Experience with TOCs

[Gizmogle]

I was hoping to do work experience with a local TOC as part of my college course, but my tutor seems to be having trouble getting me a place.

I know there's a few members here that have done work ex with TOCs.
How exactly do you go about it?
Who are the best TOC to have a placement with?

Any advice?

Cheers

 

[JoshW1992]

Well I did mine with the Romney Hythe & Dymchurch, so not a TOC, but I once overheard some kid asking a member of station staff at Canterbury, how to go about doing it, and they said get in touch with like the manager.. or area manager of the TOC, or possibly a station manager, who could refer you to a proper manager.
Sorry, I cant be much help, but its a start I suppose!

 

[Craig]

I did work experience with GNER, it was on the list of possible places from the careers place. That was about 9 years ago now though, so things might have change since then making it harder to get a place.

 

[Gizmogle]

Yeah. I should get in contact with Damon, as he seemed to have a whale of a time with SWT.

If you know any contacts or anything that could possibly help me to get into this, then that'd be great too.

 

[Darandio]

It is 13 years ago now but my careers advisor said that it was impossible to get me near the railway. I suppose that was under the days of BR but I would of thought it may have been easier then. Christ, I would have cleaned the toilets if it got me a weeks work experience near the mainline!

 

[Gizmogle]

For anyone who hasn't seen Damon's work experience page:
http://coxster.co.uk/railworkexperience/index.htm

 

[christopher]

Been trying to get a place myself;

FGW said talk to Station Manager
SWT said cant do it any more

And im awaiting a reply from London Midland :grin:

 

[1D53]

A couple of years ago Northern, TPE and MML all refused on h&s grounds.

 

[Coxster]

Trident (people who did our work experience) said it wasn't possible. I decided to take it upon myself to phone SWT's customer service centre, who told me to contact the SWT recruitment line on 0845 408 1322. A couple of weeks later I got phone call to arrange a meeting time between myself and one of the two Basingstoke guard managers at Farnborough station. After a brief chat I was told they'd take me on.

It is (or at least was) a fairly long process though so get in quick. Thanks for the plug by the way

Shame if Christopher is correct in that they don't do it anymore. Every other person I know who has done it with a TOC has been doing platform duties, where as SWT gave out freebies, a cab ride, go on the simulators, signal box/control room/cctv room visits, days spent with guards, free two-week SWT rover etc. 'twas great!

 

[rail-britain]

A TOC may consider it, if the candidate is likely to remain employed with them after the work experience period
If that is not the case, then it is unlikely they would consider it
The main issues are the recruitment, training, and mentoring, all of which can take time and money
Most TOCs are more likely to recruit for their existing positions

However, if you send in a proposal, supported by your college, to the HR department of the TOC you are looking to work for outling that you are looking for both work experience leading to a career path within the industry they may look at that more favourably
As with all employment paths, preparation is everything and if the HR department see that you have spent time and effort theymay consider it rather than giving a point blank no response!

Personally, apply to each and every TOC you can think of, even those that are outwith your local area
If it is unreasonably outwith your local area, then provide them supporting details of how you would either temporarily move to that area or have relatives that may support you

 

[djw1981]

AIUI people who apply to FSR / VWC in Glasgow are told that they can only do station duties, as not 'safety trained' to go on a train (odd since they could travel as a passenger). Network Rail are apparently good for station work ex, though not for the operational areas.

 

[adamp]

I tried with Northern and they said no.
When there excuse is its a safety critical etc.. blahhh, cant they just train us so we can do it ?
-Adam

 

[Gizmogle]

I tried with Northern and they said no.
When there excuse is its a safety critical etc.. blahhh, cant they just train us so we can do it ?
-Adam

The problem there is because you have to be 18 to do safety critical jobs.


From what Damon has been talking to me about, it looks like I'm going to try and get in with SWT. I'll be writing a letter to them soon

 

[djw1981]

Well the safety training course is probably taught as part of Guard a training course which may last longer than the 1-2 weeks WorkEx. Also, there is the matter of insurance, and it may be that their insurance does not cover under-18's. Preserved railways etc will have different insurance.

 

[Coxster]

From what Damon has been talking to me about, it looks like I'm going to try and get in with SWT. I'll be writing a letter to them soon

Good luck! Hopefully you'll be able to do the same kind of stuff, rather than being stuck on the platform/in the ticket office/on the information desk all day.

 

[class 313]

Daniel (memorex) did his at St Pancras back when it was MML. I tried and all I had to do was get the form signed by Derby but that never happened as I didn't have time. Either way, ask to speak to the station manager at St Pancras as he was happy about accepting me.

 

[Gizmogle]

Fantastic. Cheers.

I'll be writing/talking to VWC, SWT and EMT.

 

[First ScotRail]

I was offered a place with both VWC and FSR.

 

[Mojo]

It's worth volunteering with your local user group or Community Rail Partnership and start attending meetings where you can meet management as well.

 

[Gizmogle]

My who or what now?

 

[class 313]

My who or what now?

An example would be http://www.abfly.org.uk/

 

[rail-britain]

When I worked at ICEC every person working on the railway (trackside) had to have at least the basic Track Safety training
However, this appears to have been relaxed over the years and now the basic grade requiring this is the guard and driver

With FSR, the guard normally also performs the Ticket Examiner duties
However, if the train does not require a guard then the Ticket Examiner does not require to hold a valid Track Safety certificate, as the driver remains solely responsible for the train and its passengers
The same also applies to the station based Ticket Examiners
Amazing what changes over the years

With VWC, the main crew all hold valid Track Safety certificates, anyone else is classed as a passenger

 

[First ScotRail]

There is a bit about track safety in FSRs Induction Training

 

[First class]

Merseyrail and ATW will (as of 2008 ) give you a work experience placement. Merseyrail will not let you work underground though. People worked in their Kirkdale TMD, others in various ticket offices. You have to be 16.

ATW: Go to Chester station and ask for a duty manager, should be a lady called Karen during the day. She will get you work experience on the North Wales Coast Line.

 

[rail-britain]

I managed to blag some "work" at Colwyn Bay for a week in about 1984 / 1986, when I was about 12 / 14
The welsh staff just loved the Scottish accent on their PA, especially the mid-day service to Cardiff calling at all stations!

 

[P156KWJ]

I tried EMT, who will only let me do ticket office stuff, XC won't, Virgin don't care, and I'm awaiting a reply from EWS. My mate loved his at EWS at Toton TMD.

 

[laseandre]

I'm doing Ticketing with FSR at Dalreoch station. Nice and quiet, but you get the drunk neds occasionally.

 

[class 313]

I could of done experience at Wembley but would require a 2 week course just on H&S.

 

[43034 The Black Horse]

I've got mine this year.
Had a Place near enough at Shrewsbury, but Crappy Careers Wales Deemed it too Far to travel:roll:

fGW it is then

 

[Bush]

Back when I was working for Southern, I did a Summer stint in the Selhurst Running Sheds in Summer 2006. There were a couple of work experience lads that came for about a fortnight, they followed a couple of the Fitters around assisting them.

So Southern is worth a try if you fancy it.