A career as a signaller

[Cheney B50]

Around 3k take home every 4 weeks

Thank you, moving roles into a grade 5 post so just working a few things out.

 

[cointrain]

2 1/2 weeks and no reply about interview decision. Longest I've ever waited for any job. Anyone else waiting? I'm now worried as I read WM have suspended recruitment so the south region could too...

 

[Aprov2000]

Hi There. I didnt want to delay my medical as they (Optima) said when Network Rail start doing in their in-house medicals, it won't be until November. I heard back from them stating that they would contact the on-boarding team and they would be in touch. This doesnt help me as I am looking for three weeks off over Christmas (worked every single Christmas for the last 25 years) Therefore I have a small window to get my notice in, before my start date in early January. I have decided to bite the bullet and just do it. Going from Gatwick and the cost was £60 return. But I do feel that is shocking that they do not offer to pay the train journey. If you have more luck, then please let me know. looks like we may be at the same IST in January (Romford?)

Not sure if you had any news from recruitment? They looked after me really well. It's all very messy with Optima coming to the end of the contract and they are losing all their medical professionals to other work. My medical has been moved since we last spoke due to Optima cancellations and it could be cancelled again. However, recruitment have been very helpful and understanding.

 

[Daniel Hassan]

2 1/2 weeks and no reply about interview decision. Longest I've ever waited for any job. Anyone else waiting? I'm now worried as I read WM have suspended recruitment so the south region could too...

Same with me. Just over 2 weeks passing my assessments and still no interview decision as of yet

 

[Jenny]

2 1/2 weeks and no reply about interview decision. Longest I've ever waited for any job. Anyone else waiting? I'm now worried as I read WM have suspended recruitment so the south region could too...

Took nearly 3 weeks to hear about a date for interview from passing online assessments. The interview was then around 3 weeks later. Had to complete online questions by video within 3 or 4 days or receiving confirmation of interview. On week 2 of waiting to find out if I’ve got the position or not. But I know they were only meeting to compare scores on the week just gone. Railway recruitment is slowest of the slow.

 

[bhabloke]

Not sure if you had any news from recruitment? They looked after me really well. It's all very messy with Optima coming to the end of the contract and they are losing all their medical professionals to other work. My medical has been moved since we last spoke due to Optima cancellations and it could be cancelled again. However, recruitment have been very helpful and understanding.

In an update, my medical has been cancelled and I'm now £60 out of pocket. Its been changed to York (220 miles away) Another train ticket to purchase. Optoma have nothing to lose in providing a shockingly poor service. I'm really not wanting to buy a ticket until the last minute, which aso makes it more expensive £120 at the moment! Grrr

 

[Signal_Box]

2 1/2 weeks and no reply about interview decision. Longest I've ever waited for any job. Anyone else waiting? I'm now worried as I read WM have suspended recruitment so the south region could too...

Signaller recruitment definitely isn’t suspended, the grade is critically undermanned with massive recruitment ongoing.

 

[kevinc131]

In an update, my medical has been cancelled and I'm now £60 out of pocket. Its been changed to York (220 miles away) Another train ticket to purchase. Optoma have nothing to lose in providing a shockingly poor service. I'm really not wanting to buy a ticket until the last minute, which aso makes it more expensive £120 at the moment! Grrr

Mate I was living in Warwickshire but applying for a job in Scotland so my medical was in Glasgow. I phoned optima health and they offered me various locations but much later than the Glasgow one. In the end I took the hit and drove 300 miles to get it done. You do have options so explore them

 

[bhabloke]

I have contacted Optima health and had no 'options' It's York, that's it. Not even a choice of date or time. There are no other appointments available anywhere in the entire country. Their contract expires on 13/10/23. I have applied for a job in Sussex and I live in Sussex. If I had applied for a job in Leeds or York or similar, then fair enough. The most frustrating thing is, having them cancel the original Doncaster appointment by sending an email and losing money as a result.

 

[damz]

2 1/2 weeks and no reply about interview decision. Longest I've ever waited for any job. Anyone else waiting? I'm now worried as I read WM have suspended recruitment so the south region could too...

I'm in the same boat interviewed 2 1/2 weeks ago and still waiting.

 

[Lpf93]

I have contacted Optima health and had no 'options' It's York, that's it. Not even a choice of date or time. There are no other appointments available anywhere in the entire country. Their contract expires on 13/10/23. I have applied for a job in Sussex and I live in Sussex. If I had applied for a job in Leeds or York or similar, then fair enough. The most frustrating thing is, having them cancel the original Doncaster appointment by sending an email and losing money as a result.

When do you start?

 

[The Puddock]

I have contacted Optima health and had no 'options' It's York, that's it. Not even a choice of date or time. There are no other appointments available anywhere in the entire country. Their contract expires on 13/10/23. I have applied for a job in Sussex and I live in Sussex. If I had applied for a job in Leeds or York or similar, then fair enough. The most frustrating thing is, having them cancel the original Doncaster appointment by sending an email and losing money as a result.

I doubt it's any comfort to you but 'service' like this is a big part of why NR is ditching Optima.

 

[bhabloke]

When do you start?

Hi, If I pass the medical, then I have been informed that it will be the 8th January 2024. However, that has only been mentioned to me once and that was the phone call from NR telling me I was successful back in the middle of July.

 

[Lpf93]

Hi, If I pass the medical, then I have been informed that it will be the 8th January 2024. However, that has only been mentioned to me once and that was the phone call from NR telling me I was successful back in the middle of July.

I’d wait until NR take over the Medicals then. Optima will be playing funny buggers and doing the bare minimum now they won’t be doing the medicals. Speak to HR/ the LOM and make them aware. Very unreasonable to travel half the country for a 30 minute medical

 

[sjberry3]

Signaller recruitment definitely isn’t suspended, the grade is critically undermanned with massive recruitment ongoing.

WMSC has put a hold on recruitment. My interview has been put on hold with no end time in sight.

 

[Cheney B50]

Hi all,

Has anyone attended IST at Carlisle? I’ve arrived this evening and had a look around but can’t seem to find where it’s held. Joining instructions just say Carlisle station. Any help gratefully received.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 1 Oct 2023 ==

Has anyone attended IST at Carlisle? Arrived this evening but can’t seem to find where it is. Joining instructions say Carlisle station but nothing specific.

Thanks in advance

 

[Jess_coates]

Hi all,

Has anyone attended IST at Carlisle? I’ve arrived this evening and had a look around but can’t seem to find where it’s held. Joining instructions just say Carlisle station. Any help gratefully received.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 1 Oct 2023 ==

Has anyone attended IST at Carlisle? Arrived this evening but can’t seem to find where it is. Joining instructions say Carlisle station but nothing specific.

Thanks in advance

Hi,

I'm starting IST tomorrow at Carlisle. If you go through the main entrance and turn right walk along until your next to the track. There's a door on your right (last week there was some sandbags next to it) use that door and go straight up the stairs.

 

[Cheney B50]

Hi,

I'm starting IST tomorrow at Carlisle. If you go through the main entrance and turn right walk along until your next to the track. There's a door on your right (last week there was some sandbags next to it) use that door and go straight up the stairs.

Brilliant thank you for that. I had a walk around earlier but couldn’t find it. I shall see you tomorrow, thanks again.

 

[LAX54]

I’d wait until NR take over the Medicals then. Optima will be playing funny buggers and doing the bare minimum now they won’t be doing the medicals. Speak to HR/ the LOM and make them aware. Very unreasonable to travel half the country for a 30 minute medical

Optima.... recall a few years ago someone in Norfolk had a medical, and it was quite local, a week later 'urgent' call to go back, this time had to travel all the way to Manchester! got there, and found out they had overlooked him sigining a bit of paper, was there for about 5 mins, then had to trek all the way back again

 

[NadiaTyne]

Hello everyone,

Just wanted to share the news that I found out today I got the signaller grade 2 position at Valley!! I am so chuffed

 

[mac]

Excellent news now the hard work starts

 

[NadiaTyne]

Excellent news now the hard work starts

Thank you so much, is there anything I should read over to give me a head start? I start training on the 10th of Jan I believe

 

[JWilliams]

Does anyone know how many ist locations there are in the uk? My course is being restarted and I’m trying to gauge where I will end up

 

[CheeseNoMayo]

Does anyone know how many ist locations there are in the uk? My course is being restarted and I’m trying to gauge where I will end up

I believe there is 16 training centres across the UK but I believe it depends on wether you’re gonna be doing TCB or AB

 

[BrummieBobby]

Thank you so much, is there anything I should read over to give me a head start? I start training on the 10th of Jan I believe

Personally, I would suggest only learning the phonetic alphabet (If you are unsure of it) The rest of the course is designed to be delivered to those with no previous signalling experience.

 

[Daniel Hassan]

I can’t be the only one passing my assessment and still waiting for a potential interview invite? 2.5 weeks now

 

[SignalM0n]

Only just starting out and trying a little to give back to this wonderful forum, so be gentle....

TEA - Trains, Equipment, Anything else - specified as an acronym for shift handover.

More detailed one could be FITLAP:

Faults & Failures?
Is there a legible record of the shift?
Trains - Diversions and delays?
Live reminders - what for and where?
Any electrical isolations in place or due to be taken?
Possessions - What type and where are they?

 

[chrislfc]

I can’t be the only one passing my assessment and still waiting for a potential interview invite? 2.5 weeks now

What was the closing date for applications? Is it possible it’s still open/just closed?
Have you checked the status in the careers hub in case you’ve missed an email/it’s gone in spam?

 

[Daniel Hassan]

What was the closing date for applications? Is it possible it’s still open/just closed?
Have you checked the status in the careers hub in case you’ve missed an email/it’s gone in spam?

Closing date was 15th September and to be fair, it did say after 2 weeks you will receive an email for a potential interview invite. I did contact HR last Thursday and they apologised about the delay and said the team are assessing the applications. Long time though

 

[chrislfc]

I know from reading on here that NR tend to be notoriously slow. I got lucky that it was a month from me applying to being offered the role, but I know that’s the exception rather than the rule.

All you can do is sit tight, no news is hopefully good news!