A career as a signaller

[WHL]

I applied for a Grade 3 position, then after my medical, I got offered a Grade 6.

Really excited to start IST in November.

Thanks to everyone for their advice on this thread. A wealth of information for anyone starting their application journey with Network Rail.

 

[MylesHSG]

I applied for a Grade 3 position, then after my medical, I got offered a Grade 6.

Really excited to start IST in November.

Thanks to everyone for their advice on this thread. A wealth of information for anyone starting their application journey with Network Rail.

Congratulations and welcome to the grade

 

[scrub332]

Hi guys, new here so forgive me. Applied for a G2 Trainee role based in Ipswich last year and finally had the interview a week ago. Got an email today to say:

Thank you so much for taking the time to attend the Signaller Assessment Day with us recently.
We wanted to let you know that you’ve achieved the required standard for the role however due to the number of vacancies currently available, we are unable to offer you a position right now.
We would like to keep you in our talent pool for a period of 12 months and let you know as soon as an opportunity becomes available within the same location. If you are happy for us to do this, you do not need to do anything. Just let us know if any of your details change so we are able to get in touch with you."

Can anyone clarify what this means exactly? Did I succeed at the interview? On the day, I was told that there were 24 interviewees for 10 positions in a "signaller pool". They also said that the positions could be all over the East, certainly not restricted to only one location. Does this mean I am one of the ten? I suppose rail recruitment is surely slow and the best course of action is just to wait.

Cheers!

 

[zoinator]

Hi guys, new here so forgive me. Applied for a G2 Trainee role based in Ipswich last year and finally had the interview a week ago. Got an email today to say:

Thank you so much for taking the time to attend the Signaller Assessment Day with us recently.
We wanted to let you know that you’ve achieved the required standard for the role however due to the number of vacancies currently available, we are unable to offer you a position right now.
We would like to keep you in our talent pool for a period of 12 months and let you know as soon as an opportunity becomes available within the same location. If you are happy for us to do this, you do not need to do anything. Just let us know if any of your details change so we are able to get in touch with you."

Can anyone clarify what this means exactly? Did I succeed at the interview? On the day, I was told that there were 24 interviewees for 10 positions in a "signaller pool". They also said that the positions could be all over the East, certainly not restricted to only one location. Does this mean I am one of the ten? I suppose rail recruitment is surely slow and the best course of action is just to wait.

Cheers!

This happened to me too - unfortunately your not 1 of the 10, but you've been put onto basically a waiting list of sorts and over the next 12 months while you are on it, if a role comes up in the area you applied to they will give you a call offering a job.

Luckily, mine was quite quick - i went into the waiting list in June after not getting the initial position after interview, but in July they gave me a call offering me a job

 

[keswickline]

Hi all pretty new here, due to start IST York in the next few months just wondering what hotels they use, hopefully close to the station, and wether you get a daily food allowance or if its all included with the hotel ? Cheers

 

[Brett55]

Hi all pretty new here, due to start IST York in the next few months just wondering what hotels they use, hopefully close to the station, and wether you get a daily food allowance or if its all included with the hotel ? Cheers

Hi, I was put in the Novertel, about a 15/20 minute walk to the training center. Others on my course were in premier inns and they either had a 10 minute or 30 minutes walk. I believe it's still a £30 meal allowance.

 

[Open_G]

Hi all pretty new here, due to start IST York in the next few months just wondering what hotels they use, hopefully close to the station, and wether you get a daily food allowance or if its all included with the hotel ? Cheers

For IST I was at the Radisson which is a 10min walk.

For TCBC I ended up out past the racecourse on tadcaster rd in the holiday inn. It was probably a 40-45 min schlep.

 

[ldla]

Hey everyone. I was offered a position to become a grade 2 signaller earlier this year and I am due to start my IST in October. I was initially going to complete this in York but have been told it will now be in Ipswich but the dates are the same. Is anyone else starting then or going to Ipswich?

 

[connorh]

Hi all, I applied for the G9 signaller role in Glasgow in the middle of July. I passed stage 1 and 2 and I've been waiting to find out if I've made the cut for the assessment centre. From reading the forum I can see there is a couple of others in the same boat.

I was wondering if someone who recently became a signaller for NR could give a quick timeline from applying to starting IST. TIA

 

[LW17]

Hi all, I applied for the G9 signaller role in Glasgow in the middle of July. I passed stage 1 and 2 and I've been waiting to find out if I've made the cut for the assessment centre. From reading the forum I can see there is a couple of others in the same boat.

I was wondering if someone who recently became a signaller for NR could give a quick timeline from applying to starting IST. TIA

I had my interview middle of November and started IST in the last week of Feb. Medical was just before the New year. Hope this helps.

 

[connorh]

I had my interview middle of November and started IST in the last week of Feb. Medical was just before the New year. Hope this helps.

Appreciate the response! From what I've gathered, the recruitment process can be a bit a slow, so nothing out of the norm so far.

 

[marcy]

Appreciate the response! From what I've gathered, the recruitment process can be a bit a slow, so nothing out of the norm so far.

Same boat as you , applied for the G9 signaller post in Glasgow and waiting on assessment centre date. Going on holiday next week and worried that the dates are released then! However I have been through railway recruitment before and the process took nearly 18 months.
Trying not to pin my hopes on this role too much however, they have said in all correspondence so far that progression to the next stage is not guaranteed unfortunately.

 

[wilbur1985]

Hi all,

I am looking once I finish mandatory education that a apprenticeship could be something I'm interested in as a signaler firstly can you do this at 16 and secondly how sought out are the apprenticeships?

 

[SuperLuke2334]

Hi all,

I am looking once I finish mandatory education that a apprenticeship could be something I'm interested in as a signaler firstly can you do this at 16 and secondly how sought out are the apprenticeships?

You must be 18 years old to be a signaller, due to it being a safety-critical role. As to the apprenticeships, I am not sure I'm afraid.

 

[keswickline]

Hi, I was put in the Novertel, about a 15/20 minute walk to the training center. Others on my course were in premier inns and they either had a 10 minute or 30 minutes walk. I believe it's still a £30 meal allowance.

Hi, I was put in the Novertel, about a 15/20 minute walk to the training center. Others on my course were in premier inns and they either had a 10 minute or 30 minutes walk. I believe it's still a £30 meal allowance.

Thanks Brett & Open G. Good to know it’s a hotel lucky dip!, £30 a day sounds good to me even in pricy York …

 

[CoachB]

Hi all,

I am looking once I finish mandatory education that a apprenticeship could be something I'm interested in as a signaler firstly can you do this at 16 and secondly how sought out are the apprenticeships?

Unfortunately from what I can see you need to be 18 in order to apply for Network Rail apprenticeships.

Personally I would say stick out school and get some more grades under your belt or improve on current grades (depending on subject) and then either:

Apply for the apprenticeships (likely to be highly competitive) which will give you a wide view of network rail operations and a very small look at signalling (you get to attend IST)

Or if it's signalling you really want to do then apply directly for any signalling jobs that come up in your area.

 

[Ib5]

Has anyone else seen the recent email from RMT in relation to the proposals (yet to be spoken about with the company however) to create additional signalling grades ?

Creating addtional grades of signaller above the current top grade 9, grades 10,11,12,13 & 14.

To better address the in balance of work on busy grade 9 workstations at the moment.

I assume the most busy grade 9, like Wimbledon, Paddington, Victoria etc would break away into the “super league” with locations like Birmingham Newcastle Street, Glasgow occupying the lower half of the league in the 10-13 grades?

With the scrapes left over to remain in the grassroots on our current grades?

I think the whole grade structure is updated and needs a total review to better meet the workloads we have to work with these days.

 

[godfreycomplex]

Has anyone else seen the recent email from RMT in relation to the proposals (yet to be spoken about with the company however) to create additional signalling grades ?

Creating addtional grades of signaller above the current top grade 9, grades 10,11,12,13 & 14.

To better address the in balance of work on busy grade 9 workstations at the moment.

I assume the most busy grade 9, like Wimbledon, Paddington, Victoria etc would break away into the “super league” with locations like Birmingham Newcastle Street, Glasgow occupying the lower half of the league in the 10-13 grades?

With the scrapes left over to remain in the grassroots on our current grades?

I think the whole grade structure is updated and needs a total review to better meet the workloads we have to work with these days.

Haven’t seen the email but, for example, Glasgow Central and Piccadillly panels are both ranked busier than Paddington on ergonomics so it’ll take a while to work out for sure.

 

[Ib5]

Haven’t seen the email but, for example, Glasgow Central and Piccadillly panels are both ranked busier than Paddington on ergonomics so it’ll take a while to work out for sure.

I assume Manchester Pic isn’t ARS equipped neither is Glasgow hence the higher score?

 

[elsie594]

Hi all, I’m new here but have been stalking these threads for MONTHS. I started my application in February, had my interview in April, got conditionally offered a grade 2 position in June and am *still* waiting on my medical () but *hopefully* when that happens soon I’ll be starting the IST training in Oct. I feel like I’m actually going slightly mad with how long this has all taken but am considering it as good practice for patience in the box I have about a thousand questions which I’m trusting will all be answered in time, but more than anything just wanted to say something so it can actually feel real rather than something I imagined many months ago and will turn out to be some kind of fever dream. Anyone else in the 2nd Oct York IST cohort? Any top tips for the medical?

 

[godfreycomplex]

I assume Manchester Pic isn’t ARS equipped neither is Glasgow hence the higher score?

Correct. (See also high level of attachments/detachments/permissive working)

 

[Ib5]

Correct. (See also high level of attachments/detachments/permissive working)

I will be nice to see the outer London and South East area boxes getting an uplift (maybe).

I do wonder, if at all other locations will be effected with potential uplifts.

 

[Trothy]

I assume Manchester Pic isn’t ARS equipped neither is Glasgow hence the higher score?

ARS increases the score in the Hayes system rather than lowering it.

It's considered another thing you have to learn.

That being said traffic level (trains per hour) has always been the thing that seems to make the most difference when I've seen boxes regraded.

 

[gator op]

Quick question. Is there a specific OLE course for signallers to go on when moving to a new panel?

Ive recently got a G4 role which has OLE present on the panel. My current role is G2 with no OLE present.

I was asked by my new LOM if I had done a course. Apart from doing OLEC1 back in the day when I worked on track as a machine/crane controller thats my lot.

Other than going through the AC electified lines rule book, it wasnt covered in absolute block IST or the TCB conversion course either.

 

[muz379]

Quick question. Is there a specific OLE course for signallers to go on when moving to a new panel?

Ive recently got a G4 role which has OLE present on the panel. My current role is G2 with no OLE present.

I was asked by my new LOM if I had done a course. Apart from doing OLEC1 back in the day when I worked on track as a machine/crane controller thats my lot.

Other than going through the AC electified lines rule book, it wasnt covered in absolute block IST or the TCB conversion course either.

Yes it is a one day course , the PDS's (briefers) deliver it in my area .

Pass/Fail exam at the end with ongoing competency managed on your LOM days .

 

[Ib5]

ARS increases the score in the Hayes system rather than lowering it.

It's considered another thing you have to learn.

That being said traffic level (trains per hour) has always been the thing that seems to make the most difference when I've seen boxes regraded.

That really surprises me ! As ARS has been used in my area to keep a workstation at a lower grade than it should be.

 

[Horizon22]

Has anyone else seen the recent email from RMT in relation to the proposals (yet to be spoken about with the company however) to create additional signalling grades ?

Creating addtional grades of signaller above the current top grade 9, grades 10,11,12,13 & 14.

To better address the in balance of work on busy grade 9 workstations at the moment.

I assume the most busy grade 9, like Wimbledon, Paddington, Victoria etc would break away into the “super league” with locations like Birmingham Newcastle Street, Glasgow occupying the lower half of the league in the 10-13 grades?

With the scrapes left over to remain in the grassroots on our current grades?

I think the whole grade structure is updated and needs a total review to better meet the workloads we have to work with these days.

Haven’t seen the email but, for example, Glasgow Central and Piccadillly panels are both ranked busier than Paddington on ergonomics so it’ll take a while to work out for sure.

Interesting concept. Isn't SSM seen as "Grade 10" though already?

Paddington got everything off/on Old Oak Common with the Elizabeth line which is extra intensive, especially during disruption.

It does open up the question as to whether there has been "grade inflation" over time and that there should be a reordering, but that could be an absolute minefield! Probably why just lumping some extra grades on top is seen as easier by RMT.

 

[Ib5]

Interesting concept. Isn't SSM seen as "Grade 10" though already?

Paddington got everything off/on Old Oak Common with the Elizabeth line which is extra intensive, especially during disruption.

It does open up the question as to whether there has been "grade inflation" over time and that there should be a reordering, but that could be an absolute minefield! Probably why just lumping some extra grades on top is seen as easier by RMT.

Yes, SSM is now grade 10.
TVSC is getting an addtional grade 9 workstation “Old Oak Common” in preparation for the new mainline and HS2 station that’ll take the North Pole and OOC empty moves off Paddington workstation.

But yes, probably easier to add addtional grades than the extra cost of mass regrades especially as locations can’t generally be degraded, your staff at said location will remain the historical grade either way only

 

[High Dyke]

Hi all, I’m new here but have been stalking these threads for MONTHS. I started my application in February, had my interview in April, got conditionally offered a grade 2 position in June and am *still* waiting on my medical () but *hopefully* when that happens soon I’ll be starting the IST training in Oct. I feel like I’m actually going slightly mad with how long this has all taken but am considering it as good practice for patience in the box I have about a thousand questions which I’m trusting will all be answered in time, but more than anything just wanted to say something so it can actually feel real rather than something I imagined many months ago and will turn out to be some kind of fever dream. Anyone else in the 2nd Oct York IST cohort? Any top tips for the medical?

Medical? Avoid alcohol and caffeine prior to attending.

 

[muz379]

Interesting concept. Isn't SSM seen as "Grade 10" though already?

Grade 10 does seem to be reserved for SSM's . But I don't think an SSM is automatically a 10 , I am sure there are some lower graded SSM posts about .

But yes, probably easier to add addtional grades than the extra cost of mass regrades especially as locations can’t generally be degraded, your staff at said location will remain the historical grade either way only

Adding additional grades whilst not without its own problems does seem the easier fix unless literally everywhere was going to get regraded . But then the issue if you downgrade certain places is they become less desirable to work at and can struggle to fill vacancies , plus as you said existing staff retain their grade anyway , if anything that also might make some existing staff less likely to want to move if they are getting paid a higher grade than the location they are working and won't necessarilly benefit as much from moving elsewhere . You already get that to an extent in some places with people that have been relocated following box closures .

Some of the issues are I imagine historical as well with locations not having submitted a regrade pack for decades despite gaining traffic or more complicaed infastructure . Ultimately it relies on the staff working at the location to put a regrade pack together with assistance form reps and management .
.