A career as a signaller

[DC36]

Hello all. First time poster after looking through so much of this info and recently applying for a couple of different signaller jobs in Kent.

I have looked through and searched a lot of the posts but I just can't find a couple of answers...

Is the residential signalling course carried out in specific training centres or a few of them around the country?

Secondly, I know different boxes have different shift patterns but a friend told me they do 12hr shifts at his ROC. What does that look like as a pattern across the weeks? I couldn't work out if the pattern High Duke posted above was 12hr shifts.

TIA

There are multiple training centres across the country where they carry out the training courses. They usually try to get you into one as close to your location as possible but please be aware that spaces are incredibly limited at the moment so you may find yourself booked on to a course quite a distance away if they have courses more readily available.

I do not work 12 hour shifts at my location but there have been several examples of 12 hour working patterns posted previously. As with most things, they do seem to vary slightly from location to location but should give you an idea. Post #16,675 shows the working pattern used in the Leicester area as an example.

 

[CarryOnThrough]

Perhaps a daft question, but outside of negotiated pay increases, does the salary go up?

I currently work in the Civil Service, where so you long as you meet performance targets, your salary increases each year in increments until you reach the top of your band. We also have (usually pitiful) pay increases on top of that.

I'm starting my training to become a Grade 2 Signaller in September, and the salary appears to be £32k from the latest payscale. Are all Grade 2 Signallers paid the same salary regardless of length of service?

 

[High Dyke]

Hello all. First time poster after looking through so much of this info and recently applying for a couple of different signaller jobs in Kent.

I have looked through and searched a lot of the posts but I just can't find a couple of answers...

Is the residential signalling course carried out in specific training centres or a few of them around the country?

Secondly, I know different boxes have different shift patterns but a friend told me they do 12hr shifts at his ROC. What does that look like as a pattern across the weeks? I couldn't work out if the pattern High Duke posted above was 12hr shifts.

TIA

The example roster I posted in post #16,619 was for an 8-hour roster (non-ROC location). Other locations may have variations of such a roster.

One 12-hour roster (non-ROC location) I have set-up before is, or slight variations of. This rotates through a 24 week cycle:
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY RD RD RD 0600-1800 0600-1800 0600-1800 0600-1800 RD RD 1800-0600 1800-0600 1800-0600 RD 0600-1800 0600-1800 ODD RD RD 1800-0600 1800-0600 1800-0600 1800-0600 RD RD RD RD RD RD RD 0600-1800 0600-1800 0600-1800 0600-1800 RD RD 1800-0600 1800-0600 1800-0600 RD RD 0600-1800 0600-1800 RD RD 1800-0600 1800-0600 1800-0600 1800-0600 RD RD RD RD RD RD RD 0600-1800 0600-1800 0600-1800 0600-1800 RD RD 1800-0600 1800-0600 1800-0600 RD 0600-1800 0600-1800 0600-1800 RD RD 1800-0600 1800-0600 1800-0600 1800-0600 RD RD RD RD

 

[Bald Rick]

Are all Grade 2 Signallers paid the same salary regardless of length of service?

The same base salary, yes. Although there is London allowance if that applies.

actual pay varies through overtime etc.

 

[CarryOnThrough]

The same base salary, yes. Although there is London allowance if that applies.

actual pay varies through overtime etc.

Thank you!

I'm due to start in September, and just trying to work out if I'll be financially better or worse off, as we've got a baby on the way and the missus gets poor maternity pay after 6 months.

Seems depending on overtime and allowances I'll come away with a similar amount at the end of the month. That said I'm more looking forward to having extra days off, and not having to take work home with me every day.

 

[Jam67]

Well, I passed my medical last Friday, so I'm all-systems-go now - I was fretting about my diabetes & blood pressure, and the TEN MINUTES sat at the security gate forlornly pressing the buzzer trying to get someone to let me in didn't exactly help with the latter (luckily, some chap arrived for work & let me in with his card), but everything went well in the end!

I'm now waiting for NR to get me enrolled onto their system (I've just ordered all my PPE), but have already been given a start-date of the 24th of July, with IST booked to start in Derby on the 7th of August - I saw that someone mentioned previously on this thread that from July, the standard IST is being reduced to 10 weeks, with the two weeks prior to IST commencement being an initial course covering the basics possibly done at home - does anyone know if this arrangement is now in force?

Cheers

 

[CarryOnThrough]

Well, I passed my medical last Friday, so I'm all-systems-go now - I was fretting about my diabetes & blood pressure, and the TEN MINUTES sat at the security gate forlornly pressing the buzzer trying to get someone to let me in didn't exactly help with the latter (luckily, some chap arrived for work & let me in with his card), but everything went well in the end!

I'm now waiting for NR to get me enrolled onto their system (I've just ordered all my PPE), but have already been given a start-date of the 24th of July, with IST booked to start in Derby on the 7th of August - I saw that someone mentioned previously on this thread that from July, the standard IST is being reduced to 10 weeks, with the two weeks prior to IST commencement being an initial course covering the basics possibly done at home - does anyone know if this arrangement is now in force?

Cheers

Congrats!

I'm due to start training in September in Preston! Start a week before that, but speaking to my line manager it seems more of an induction week, getting to know everyone, visiting the boxes and what not.

I get white coat syndrome so my blood pressure always goes through the roof, but luckily on the day it was fine for my medical.

Hopefully someone can answer your question about the initial course from home. I've also heard that it is being reduced to ten weeks, but not sure if it has come in force yet, and not heard about doing the initial course from home either.

 

[heavyjack]

First time poster, long time lurker...

This an absolute goldmine of information, pity the fool who doesn't read or even know about it. Bravo to all contributors.

Has anyone made the transition from Armed Forces (Royal Navy specifically) to signaller and how did you find it? Are network rail pro ex-forces? Reading the job description, I can't think of another industry which has the same amount of transferable skills.

I am still serving and have a couple of years still to do but signalling is definitely an avenue I will pursue when I finally make the leap. I'll be early 40s then, do NR still take on new-starts at this age or later?

Any information is greatly appreciated. Thanks all.

 

[gator op]

First time poster, long time lurker...

This an absolute goldmine of information, pity the fool who doesn't read or even know about it. Bravo to all contributors.

Has anyone made the transition from Armed Forces (Royal Navy specifically) to signaller and how did you find it? Are network rail pro ex-forces? Reading the job description, I can't think of another industry which has the same amount of transferable skills.

I am still serving and have a couple of years still to do but signalling is definitely an avenue I will pursue when I finally make the leap. I'll be early 40s then, do NR still take on new-starts at this age or later?

Any information is greatly appreciated. Thanks all.

In answer to your question Network Rail are definitely open to Armed Forces and in fact anybody who has the skills needed to do the job.

Many of the lads in Maintenance have served in the past.

Age wise not a issue either.

 

[ChrisRS]

Perhaps a daft question, but outside of negotiated pay increases, does the salary go up?

I currently work in the Civil Service, where so you long as you meet performance targets, your salary increases each year in increments until you reach the top of your band. We also have (usually pitiful) pay increases on top of that.

I'm starting my training to become a Grade 2 Signaller in September, and the salary appears to be £32k from the latest payscale. Are all Grade 2 Signallers paid the same salary regardless of length of service?

You can add your Sundays, bank holidays (if opting for pay), nightshift allowance and any overtime on top as well. Grade 1 pay until you complete signal school and pass out at your location. (Unless it's changed)

First time poster, long time lurker...

This an absolute goldmine of information, pity the fool who doesn't read or even know about it. Bravo to all contributors.

Has anyone made the transition from Armed Forces (Royal Navy specifically) to signaller and how did you find it? Are network rail pro ex-forces? Reading the job description, I can't think of another industry which has the same amount of transferable skills.

I am still serving and have a couple of years still to do but signalling is definitely an avenue I will pursue when I finally make the leap. I'll be early 40s then, do NR still take on new-starts at this age or later?

Any information is greatly appreciated. Thanks all.

There was someone on my course from the Navy who took to signalling like a duck to water, seemed to be like a natural career change.

Early 40's is fine, plenty of people 50+ on my course and at the training school. I know plenty of signallers 60+ currently working.

 

[Bald Rick]

First time poster, long time lurker...

This an absolute goldmine of information, pity the fool who doesn't read or even know about it. Bravo to all contributors.

Has anyone made the transition from Armed Forces (Royal Navy specifically) to signaller and how did you find it? Are network rail pro ex-forces? Reading the job description, I can't think of another industry which has the same amount of transferable skills.

I am still serving and have a couple of years still to do but signalling is definitely an avenue I will pursue when I finally make the leap. I'll be early 40s then, do NR still take on new-starts at this age or later?

Any information is greatly appreciated. Thanks all.

Lots of ex services across the company, including in Signalling. A support / contact network has been recently set up for ex services staff.

 

[SalzH]

Totally agree with the above posts, there are plenty of signallers who are ex-forces. In my area there are three who are ex Royal Navy, and a few more ex Army.

We also have enough ex-police to staff a small station

Network Rail definitely take on new starters over 40.

 

[Woody27]

First time poster, long time lurker...

This an absolute goldmine of information, pity the fool who doesn't read or even know about it. Bravo to all contributors.

Has anyone made the transition from Armed Forces (Royal Navy specifically) to signaller and how did you find it? Are network rail pro ex-forces? Reading the job description, I can't think of another industry which has the same amount of transferable skills.

I am still serving and have a couple of years still to do but signalling is definitely an avenue I will pursue when I finally make the leap. I'll be early 40s then, do NR still take on new-starts at this age or later?

Any information is greatly appreciated. Thanks all.

Age is not a problem, I was 56 when I started IST !

 

[gator op]

Perhaps a daft question, but outside of negotiated pay increases, does the salary go up?

I currently work in the Civil Service, where so you long as you meet performance targets, your salary increases each year in increments until you reach the top of your band. We also have (usually pitiful) pay increases on top of that.

I'm starting my training to become a Grade 2 Signaller in September, and the salary appears to be £32k from the latest payscale. Are all Grade 2 Signallers paid the same salary regardless of length of service?

Same basic salary and enhancements for Sunday, Nightshift etc.

With regards to annual increases their has to be something as over the years I have seen the pay structure go up. This is not including the pay dispute ended earlier this year.

How this works exactly I don't know but hopefully someone on here can explain it.

 

[heavyjack]

In answer to your question Network Rail are definitely open to Armed Forces and in fact anybody who has the skills needed to do the job.

Many of the lads in Maintenance have served in the past.

Age wise not a issue either.

You can add your Sundays, bank holidays (if opting for pay), nightshift allowance and any overtime on top as well. Grade 1 pay until you complete signal school and pass out at your location. (Unless it's changed)



There was someone on my course from the Navy who took to signalling like a duck to water, seemed to be like a natural career change.

Early 40's is fine, plenty of people 50+ on my course and at the training school. I know plenty of signallers 60+ currently working.

Lots of ex services across the company, including in Signalling. A support / contact network has been recently set up for ex services staff.

Totally agree with the above posts, there are plenty of signallers who are ex-forces. In my area there are three who are ex Royal Navy, and a few more ex Army.

We also have enough ex-police to staff a small station

Network Rail definitely take on new starters over 40.

Age is not a problem, I was 56 when I started IST !

Thank you all. Looks positive!

 

[NC99]

Perhaps a daft question, but outside of negotiated pay increases, does the salary go up?

I currently work in the Civil Service, where so you long as you meet performance targets, your salary increases each year in increments until you reach the top of your band. We also have (usually pitiful) pay increases on top of that.

I'm starting my training to become a Grade 2 Signaller in September, and the salary appears to be £32k from the latest payscale. Are all Grade 2 Signallers paid the same salary regardless of length of service?

Hi there. Congratulations on getting the job. What area are you due to be working in? Was it the recent London vacancies at all?

 

[Leedslad0113]

Question for anyone who knows… I’ve been offered a grade 2 signaller position at Harrogate but I’ve just seen grade 3-7 positions are open for applicants at York ROC… obviously if it’s possible I’d rather go to the ROC at a higher Grade.

Is it going to go against me if I apply for the ROC after I’ve accepted the grade 2 offer? I mean I’m not starting training until November anyway.

 

[Csb362]

Question for anyone who knows… I’ve been offered a grade 2 signaller position at Harrogate but I’ve just seen grade 3-7 positions are open for applicants at York ROC… obviously if it’s possible I’d rather go to the ROC at a higher Grade.

Is it going to go against me if I apply for the ROC after I’ve accepted the grade 2 offer? I mean I’m not starting training until November anyway.

Your LOM will pull the job offer

 

[Leedslad0113]

Your LOM will pull the job offer

Simply for applying?

 

[The Puddock]

Simply for applying?

Why not? Look at it from their point of view - after a long recruiting process they think they’ve finally got someone to fill a vacancy but then before you’ve even started IST you are off to another area and it’s back to square one for them. Why would they pay for you to go to IST if they’re not going to get any benefit out of it? Why not just withdraw your job offer, wish you the best of luck with the new application and give the post to the reserve candidate instead? The old saying ‘you can’t have your cake and eat it‘ applies.

Once you have accepted the job offer, the changes to terms and conditions following the latest pay deal for signallers mean you can’t move a new job within one year anyway which is intended to prevent exactly this scenario. So what happens next hinges on whether you have said already yes to HR. If you have then you won’t be able to apply for any other job in NR until summer 2024.

 

[Open_G]

Why not? Look at it from their point of view - after a long recruiting process they think they’ve finally got someone to fill a vacancy but then before you’ve even started IST you are off to another area and it’s back to square one for them. Why would they pay for you to go to IST if they’re not going to get any benefit out of it? Why not just withdraw your job offer, wish you the best of luck with the new application and give the post to the reserve candidate instead? The old saying ‘you can’t have your cake and eat it‘ applies.

Once you have accepted the job offer, the changes to terms and conditions following the latest pay deal for signallers mean you can’t move a new job within one year anyway which is intended to prevent exactly this scenario. So what happens next hinges on whether you have said already yes to HR. If you have then you won’t be able to apply for any other job in NR until summer 2024.

It would depend on the terms of the original offer I think.

If the individual has a box lined up and a specific vacancy they have been offered I could understand this. However 80% of the people I was on IST with were on a temporary contract with no specific box and it was apply, apply, apply. Anywhere, and everywhere.

 

[Leedslad0113]

Why not? Look at it from their point of view - after a long recruiting process they think they’ve finally got someone to fill a vacancy but then before you’ve even started IST you are off to another area and it’s back to square one for them. Why would they pay for you to go to IST if they’re not going to get any benefit out of it? Why not just withdraw your job offer, wish you the best of luck with the new application and give the post to the reserve candidate instead? The old saying ‘you can’t have your cake and eat it‘ applies.

Once you have accepted the job offer, the changes to terms and conditions following the latest pay deal for signallers mean you can’t move a new job within one year anyway which is intended to prevent exactly this scenario. So what happens next hinges on whether you have said already yes to HR. If you have then you won’t be able to apply for any other job in NR until summer 2024.

Fair enough.

Like I said in a previous post it’s mainly to do with the fact that in my application it asked which locations were my preferred locations and Harrogate was slightly further away so I didn’t put it down so I was a little surprised to be offered Harrogate.

It’s still a win in my book and I’m not being ungrateful for the opportunity, just obviously a shorter commute is preferable

I guess I’ll have to wait 52 weeks though. Thanks for your response

 

[Csb362]

Fair enough.

Like I said in a previous post it’s mainly to do with the fact that in my application it asked which locations were my preferred locations and Harrogate was slightly further away so I didn’t put it down so I was a little surprised to be offered Harrogate.

It’s still a win in my book and I’m not being ungrateful for the opportunity, just obviously a shorter commute is preferable

I guess I’ll have to wait 52 weeks though. Thanks for your response

You may find someone else who got offered the box you wanted wants Harrogate, speak to your LOM and ask if there is any chance of being offered X box, the worst they can do is say no

 

[bhabloke]

Huge thanks to all who have posted on here offering advice and support. I've just received a phone call from the recruitment team and been offered a grade 2 job at Three Bridges. Absolutely chuffed to bits, especially as it was my first application and I was expecting to have to do a few before I got anywhere. Signalling school in January by the looks.

 

[leep90]

Huge thanks to all who have posted on here offering advice and support. I've just received a phone call from the recruitment team and been offered a grade 2 job at Three Bridges. Absolutely chuffed to bits, especially as it was my first application and I was expecting to have to do a few before I got anywhere. Signalling school in January by the looks.

Congratulations, I have this morning been offered and gladly accepted the outer role Chichester - Lancing. With January school date also, can't wait to get in!

 

[bhabloke]

Congratulations, I have this morning been offered and gladly accepted the outer role Chichester - Lancing. With January school date also, can't wait to get in!

Awesome! We may be at the same school then. I was told the one in London, but nothing is confirmed as of yet. I did also apply for the crossing keeper at Lancing, but pulled that application today. The Three Bridges one was always first choice.

 

[rof1]

Hi There

I did a motivational fit interview recently. I found it to be very relaxed and more like a chat. It was basically asking if I was still interested in the position but in another box. They only asked me a couple of transferable skills questions and how I found my last interview. I was offered the job towards the end of the interview where I had a choice of where I wanted t

No offer for me but been put a reserve list after interview. Any general advise on this or just a waiting game?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 Jul 2023 ==

I interviewed back in Oct 22 for G9 post at Three bridges ROC and was placed on a reserve list, Forgot all about it to be honest, I then received an invitation to attend a "motivational fit" interview about 3wks ago and was offered a G9 post of the back of it, Hang in there !!

 

[Royal351]

Huge thanks to all who have posted on here offering advice and support. I've just received a phone call from the recruitment team and been offered a grade 2 job at Three Bridges. Absolutely chuffed to bits, especially as it was my first application and I was expecting to have to do a few before I got anywhere. Signalling school in January by the looks.

Congrats! The minimum grade at the TBROC is a Grade 6 which is on the East Sussex & Lewes Workstations. The rest are all the Thameslink Pods up around London Bridge, Cannon Street, Charing Cross and the Thameslink Core. Plus London Vic Central from Vic to Balahm.Sutton and Stretham and others too.

So congrats again! Looking forward to seeing you around at some point!

 

[Casper23]

Hi All, firstly I would like to thank everyone who contributed in this thread as it helped me a lot. I’ve been offered a G8 job. I was wondering if there is anyone who will be starting IST in Ipswich on Monday 17th July.

Thanks

 

[bhabloke]

Congrats! The minimum grade at the TBROC is a Grade 6 which is on the East Sussex & Lewes Workstations. The rest are all the Thameslink Pods up around London Bridge, Cannon Street, Charing Cross and the Thameslink Core. Plus London Vic Central from Vic to Balahm.Sutton and Stretham and others too.

So congrats again! Looking forward to seeing you around at some point!

Thank you so much. I am really curious though. The advert was for a grade 2 post and the offer definitely states Three Bridges ROC. Are you saying that there are no grade 2 posts there? If that's the case then I will be given a grade 6 post? Also do you know what the shift pattern is?
Lots of questions, but I would be hugely grateful for the answers!

Thanks in advance