University student - railway employment

[brick60000]

Morning all,

I'm currently studying BSc Logistics with Transport Management as a first year student at Aston University in Birmingham. I was wondering if anyone knows of, or would be able to suggest, any potentially suitable part time or casual employment/ related to the railway that would be available to me in such a situation and worthwhile pursuing? Would the best option be to contact TOCs/NR directly, or to apply for certain jobs online?

I appreciate such a job may not exist, but thought I'd ask!

Regards,

Brick60000

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[PudseyBearHST]

Hello. I am not sure if this is what you are looking for but you could try doing an internship for few weeks/months during your holidays. Each TOC will have their own page about this on the careers website. For example, GWR: as far as I remember, you need to have completed your first year, be on target for 2:2. Also, if you are thinking about doing a placement year then an internship will be very useful.

 

[RJ]

I did a similar degree at Loughborough. During first year I got a job with Virgin Trains as a weekend Customer Service Assistant. They also had vacancies for part time Revenue Protection Officers at the time. Then I worked as a weekend night bus and rail replacement driver before getting a part time ticket office role with another TOC in my second year.

There are casual/part time opportunities out there, but all of mine were based in London. These jobs generated a commute which had to be cost effective to make it all worthwhile. The TOC jobs were advertised on their websites. An alternative may be to join an agency - they may be able to get you station roles a bit closer to you on a casual basis,

If you're happy to give up the time, it's definitely worth having a part time job - real life work experience can be invaluable when applying for roles in final year. As PudseyBearHST says, other extra curricular activities will also stand you in good stead - experience days, spring/summer internships and the all important year in industry.

 

[brick60000]

Thanks both very much for your replies!

I did a similar degree at Loughborough. During first year I got a job with Virgin Trains as a weekend Customer Service Assistant. They also had vacancies for part time Revenue Protection Officers at the time. Then I worked as a weekend night bus and rail replacement driver before getting a part time ticket office role with another TOC in my second year.

There are casual/part time opportunities out there, but all of mine were based in London. These jobs generated a commute which had to be cost effective to make it all worthwhile. The TOC jobs were advertised on their websites. An alternative may be to join an agency - they may be able to get you station roles a bit closer to you on a casual basis,

If you're happy to give up the time, it's definitely worth having a part time job - real life work experience can be invaluable when applying for roles in final year. As PudseyBearHST says, other extra curricular activities will also stand you in good stead - experience days, spring/summer internships and the all important year in industry.

May I ask what your role was in this particular case of CSA? Was it dispatch orientated or ticketing/general assistance orientated? I'm currently a volunteer on the Severn Valley Railway as a dispatcher and ticket inspector so imagine this experience may help?

Also if you don't mind me asking! How did you come across the role? Did you apply for the job online or communicate directly?

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[Mojo]

I did the old Transport Management degree at Aston before it was totally wrecked, and worked part time for XC at New street station, the one weeks training was done in the first week of January so during the Christmas holidays. I then did shifts as and when required, normally weekends, covering duties that were otherwise uncovered. The role included mobility assistance for all Tocs (a role now covered by Network Rail - some of the staff were Tuped over) and customer service/platform management for XC and VT services. It wasn't a safety critical role so no train dispatch etc. The job was advertised on the XC website and I applied for it like any other job.

 

[RJ]

Thanks both very much for your replies!May I ask what your role was in this particular case of CSA? Was it dispatch orientated or ticketing/general assistance orientated? I'm currently a volunteer on the Severn Valley Railway as a dispatcher and ticket inspector so imagine this experience may help?

Also if you don't mind me asking! How did you come across the role? Did you apply for the job online or communicate directly?

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It was an on board CSA role - working in the shop and providing the service in First Class. There weren't any safety critical competencies, though training did cover some basic technical aspects of railway infrastructure and carrying out unplanned evacuations. Virgin's recruiters want people who match the core competencies shown in the job advertisement. Railway experience alone won't get you in, but if you can present it in a way that matches what they're looking for then you have a very good chance of getting through the sift.

For the railways I've only ever applied for roles advertised on TOC websites - the roles I've had were specifically advertised as part time. For the buses, I persuaded them to create a special weekend only role for me, which their HR were initially adamant they couldn't do. Occasionally headhunting does happen too so there are ways of getting in without waiting for an advert to come up.

For now, I'd suggest the easiest way may be to enquire to see which agencies supply labour to TOCs closest to you and also to keep an eye on the TOC websites for any part time or casual vacancies that crop up.

 

[brick60000]

Again thanks both for the replies! I'll keep a close eye on the websites!

Re the transport management at Aston, I have 'heard' rumours that this is returning very soon, with hopes that we may be transferred later on. Theres an event on the CILT website which introduces this new degree, so fingers crossed!

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[Economist]

Funnily enough, one of my former managers from my time in the financial world did a Transport Management degree at Loughborough, focused on aviation. He's still at my old place and has got a very nice career, though he was their during his degree so his being a known quantity before he got on to the grad scheme probably helped.

You could try something like Virgin's RedTrack scheme if it arrives again at a point in the future. Quite a few rail companies have grad schemes, in terms of experience I don't know if London Midland, Chiltern or any other of the Birmingham TOCs have part-time or seasonal positions (maybe platform or similar) which could help you get experience on the railway.

Just keep a keen eye out online and apply for anything which comes up, anything else transport related (i.e. trams or airport) might help.

 

[RJ]

It's a well trodden path - keep meeting people at work at levels up to director who did that course!

 

[Simon11]

I would personally recommend that you definitely spend a year on placement- this will be key to getting a job, particularly to get a step into HQ. A part time job, particular on the railway will be a huge benefit in getting picked.

As your in Birmingham, one of the best rail companies for placements in CrossCountry. They offer a wide range of placements and something to suit everyone.

I'm always happy to review CV's and assist via PM's. I was in a similar position to yourself 9 years ago, doing a degree and trying to get into the railway industry (in commercial development). I'm now in a position that my rail/transport career has taken me to many places and I'm now living in Chicago where I will be for the next few years. [Far nicer having spent plenty of time working/living in Birmingham]

 

[TheGreatISA]

You could look to apply for part time roles within railway companies however this comes down to vacancies.

 

[seddon]

Hi I am aware that Arriva Trains road transport section are looking for casual rail replacement coordinators. This would be perfect for you and iS reasonably well paid
Best of luck

 

[RJ]

Virgin West Coast have a couple of casual vacancies advertised at the moment - might be worth checking out?