A career as a signaller

[choochoobacca]

Me 3...

me 4

 

[Dispatcher999]

me 4

Damn what are they looking for :/

 

[Saracen_83]

Someone that has high score on their online tests that have sod all to do with job lol

 

[choochoobacca]

Damn what are they looking for :/

I’m a bit gutted about this one, as the two times it came up previously, I got to ‘under consideration for assessment 2’ before going unsuccessful, so presumably not a million miles away from an interview. Thought I may have been in with a shout, with there being 4 positions. This time it went from test completed direct to application unsuccessful. Oh well, onwards!

 

[Dispatcher999]

Someone that has high score on their online tests that have sod all to do with job lol

I need to resit that test. I know I’ve not done good enough to be even considered for a grade two.

 

[Saracen_83]

I’m a bit gutted about this one, as the two times it came up previously, I got to ‘under consideration for assessment 2’ before going unsuccessful, so presumably not a million miles away from an interview. Thought I may have been in with a shout, with there being 4 positions. This time it went from test completed direct to application unsuccessful. Oh well, onwards!

Same, but obviously there were better candidates than us this time.....

I’ll keep on plugging away and hopefully be successful soon!!

 

[Cavan]

Can you resit the shl tests after 6 months?

 

[os99]

me 4

Me 5 . I'm so sorry to hear this.

I live near Cambs as well. It's really disheartening.

 

[Dispatcher999]

Me 5 . I'm so sorry to hear this.

I live near Cambs as well. It's really disheartening.

Same here.. I’m actually in Cambs so to lose out on 10 opportunities is heartbreaking..(x4 Signaller and x6 crossing keeper) Yes you can resit in 6 months but what use is that if all the positions are then gone Certainly can’t see positions at Cambridge up for grabs still by then. It won’t stop me applying but probably means me traveling further.

 

[choochoobacca]

Level Crossing Keepers x 6 Cambridge, (at grade 2 signaller salary.) IRC 2106473

This was recently advertised..... No specific locations were listed on the job description and somebody earlier in the thread suggested it will likely be a remote operated location, covering several crossings.
Does anybody have any knowledge of the actual location (or locations) of the role, or if it will be based within Cambridge Power Signal Box?
Many thanks to anybody who is able to shed any light..

 

[os99]

Level Crossing Keepers x 6 Cambridge, (at grade 2 signaller salary.) IRC 2106473

This was recently advertised..... No specific locations were listed on the job description and somebody earlier in the thread suggested it will likely be a remote operated location, covering several crossings.
Does anybody have any knowledge of the actual location (or locations) of the role, or if it will be based within Cambridge Power Signal Box?
Many thanks to anybody who is able to shed any light..

I'm 90% certain it would've been at the PSB. I did a little digging into this and I found that the level crossings controlled by Cambridge PSB are:

Trees LC (Just south of Audley End)
Ickleton Road LC (Great Chesterford)
Sawston LC (Just off the Sawston bypass)
Shelford LC (Next to the station)
Granhams LC (Before Shepreth Junc)
Chesterton Jn LC (Fen Road)
Ely Station North LC (Yep, THAT one with the low bridge)
Cherry Hinton High Street LC
Cherry Hinton Bypass LC

They are all CCTV monitored. I hope this helps!

 

[choochoobacca]

I'm 90% certain it would've been at the PSB. I did a little digging into this and I found that the level crossings controlled by Cambridge PSB are:

Trees LC (Just south of Audley End)
Ickleton Road LC (Great Chesterford)
Sawston LC (Just off the Sawston bypass)
Shelford LC (Next to the station)
Granhams LC (Before Shepreth Junc)
Chesterton Jn LC (Fen Road)
Ely Station North LC (Yep, THAT one with the low bridge)
Cherry Hinton High Street LC
Cherry Hinton Bypass LC

They are all CCTV monitored. I hope this helps!

Wow that's great, thank you very much for sharing that info os99

 

[Alan77]

Me 3...

Me 4...

 

[GingerRH]

In terms of assessments - there is no ‘pass mark’ it’s different every time.

Only a certain percentage of people get though (can’t remember off the top of my head but it’s either percentage or top x people). So one day your scores may be top and you’ll get through, next time your score would still be the same but as there’s people who did better you wouldn’t get through.

Your scores last for 6 months so if you’re applying for multiple jobs you shouldn’t have to do multiple assessments.

 

[Lmc1976]

Your scores last for 6 months so if you’re applying for multiple jobs you shouldn’t have to do multiple assessments.

I’ve just applied for another role and they’ve taken my test results from 8 months ago. The email they sent me today say your test results now last 12 months.

 

[GingerRH]

I’ve just applied for another role and they’ve taken my test results from 8 months ago. The email they sent me today say your test results now last 12 months.

Ahh fair enough - even better for people trying to get in!

 

[Lmc1976]

Ahh fair enough - even better for people trying to get in!

Or worse, depending on how you think the test went! Personally I would like another crack at it!

 

[Cavan]

Maybe you have to email hr after 6 and say you want to resit for next applocation. people earlier in the thread have resit after 6 after also having the letters that say the results last 12.

 

[Termy]

I'm waiting with bated breath to hear back about a Grade 2 post in Kidwelly, South Wales. Narrowly missed applying for the next box over, Pembrey. Sigh.

 

[SmokeAndJoe]

Level Crossing Keepers x 6 Cambridge, (at grade 2 signaller salary.) IRC 2106473

This was recently advertised..... No specific locations were listed on the job description and somebody earlier in the thread suggested it will likely be a remote operated location, covering several crossings.
Does anybody have any knowledge of the actual location (or locations) of the role, or if it will be based within Cambridge Power Signal Box?
Many thanks to anybody who is able to shed any light..

New panel within Cambridge PSB, which is why there were Signaller posts as well at the same time.

 

[Saracen_83]

Can’t find the answer in a thread, so hoping someone can help......

If I apply for a grade 1234 signaller for example, how long before i can look to move on/up within signalling??? Also I’m presuming it is a lot easier to move once you are in???? I’ve read some people moved within a few months of finishing signalling school, whilst others have said you need to be there over 12-18 months??

Also, say your first signalling role is within a lever frame box, do you have to attend further training at a residential school to become a higher grade ie 5-9 for example?? Or is it a case of spending a few more this at the new place to learn the panels etc???

Sorry for the questions, to take a lower grade role would be a massive hit financially, however if it means I can get in and hopefully move up I’ll do it (against my wife’s wishes!!!) so looking to see what my options are and if financially I can make it work for say 6-24 months or until I can secure a higher grade signaller role

 

[GingerRH]

Can’t find the answer in a thread, so hoping someone can help......

If I apply for a grade 1234 signaller for example, how long before i can look to move on/up within signalling??? Also I’m presuming it is a lot easier to move once you are in???? I’ve read some people moved within a few months of finishing signalling school, whilst others have said you need to be there over 12-18 months??

Also, say your first signalling role is within a lever frame box, do you have to attend further training at a residential school to become a higher grade ie 5-9 for example?? Or is it a case of spending a few more this at the new place to learn the panels etc???

Sorry for the questions, to take a lower grade role would be a massive hit financially, however if it means I can get in and hopefully move up I’ll do it (against my wife’s wishes!!!) so looking to see what my options are and if financially I can make it work for say 6-24 months or until I can secure a higher grade signaller role

You can do conversion courses from AB to TCB and then TCB to IECC, howeber To go backwards you would need to do the entire course again I believe.

There’s nothing stopping you taking a lower grade job and applying internally once in, however I wouldn’t let the hiring manager know this is your plan in the interview or they most likely won’t hire you. Reason being it takes anywhere from 6 months to over a year to be fully trained and also a lot of money, the less tomes a HM has to recruit, the easier it is for them. So if they can get someone who actually wants to work there rather than jump ship shortly after completing the school, it would be much preferred.

Also once you’re in a lower grade box, that’s if to say you get a job, you still have just the same chance as everyone else of getting that job, there’s nothing to say that because you’re internal you’re going to get it. It’s fairly common for internal applicants to be unsuccessful in favour of external as if you’re short of signallers, moving someone around still leaves a gap whereas bringing someone new in actually fills it!

 

[TRain87]

I learned at Basingstoke on an nx panel, then went to a box with lever frame and switches. You don't have to re-learn stuff or do the course again. You learn the basics of signalling at school and what to do in certain situations, then you go and learn the box.

 

[TRain87]

And due to the new apprenticeship rules which came in, late in 2017. A signaller must complete 12 months before they can apply for other positions. It's to stop people getting a grade 2 job then applying internally for a grade 8 job for example and jumping ship. This way the hiring manager gets a minimum of 12 months from you as a signaller

 

[TRain87]

And majority of jobs on internal board are for internal candidates only. So you stand a better chance of getting it, as opposed to an external candidate as they can't even see the internal job list

 

[GingerRH]

I learned at Basingstoke on an nx panel, then went to a box with lever frame and switches. You don't have to re-learn stuff or do the course again. You learn the basics of signalling at school and what to do in certain situations, then you go and learn the box.

When you moved did it go from TCB to Absolute block or TCB with levers etc?

 

[TRain87]

I learned TCB on an NX panel, then straight into box with levers. No special training or courses

 

[Malc77]

I too am in a similar position to a lot on here. The thread has been useful. I applied for Cambridge crossing keeper and signaller. I previously applied for the Enfield crossing keeper post. I have reached the benchmark on the assessments, however all my applications have been unsuccessful prior to IV. The rejection letter states all apps are reviewed against role specific criteria. Most have said its the top percentage go through which is fair enough, but does anyone know if the CV's are checked alongside scores. It's been twenty years since I have had to do a CV, so wondering if I should pay to have a professional look at or if it is just my scores are too low like most suggest and just keep applying for other posts?

 

[GingerRH]

I too am in a similar position to a lot on here. The thread has been useful. I applied for Cambridge crossing keeper and signaller. I previously applied for the Enfield crossing keeper post. I have reached the benchmark on the assessments, however all my applications have been unsuccessful prior to IV. The rejection letter states all apps are reviewed against role specific criteria. Most have said its the top percentage go through which is fair enough, but does anyone know if the CV's are checked alongside scores. It's been twenty years since I have had to do a CV, so wondering if I should pay to have a professional look at or if it is just my scores are too low like most suggest and just keep applying for other posts?

CVs will be consulted at the interview stage primarily.

When you fill out the first 70 questions when applying for a signaller role, each answer of yes will give you a point, every time you answer no, no point awarded. The people with the highest scores pass the automatic sifting and will be sent online assessments. Again, the top percentage will then be sifted for interview selection.

 

[Malc77]

Thank you that's helpful to know, a numbers game then. I'll dust myself down and keep plodding along.