Late fiftys

[bahiablanca]

Need an honest answer here from some one who works in the rail industry, is their still any opportunities for people in the late 50s to work in the rail industry, and what role do you think would be available, wish I had persued this career years ago. Still working full time as a service engineer in the drinks industry:cry:

 

[455driver]

Depending what role you want yes there is.

 

[EM2]

Yes. Certainly for something like a Customer Service Assistant.

 

[parsons16]

I am aware that SWT employed someone as a driver at the age of 58 so I would think that there is absolutely no reason why, all things considered (health etc) you couldn't work in most grades on the railway. GA took me on a few week prior to my 51st. Quality over age every time!

 

[bahiablanca]

That is very reassuring, thanks

 

[Cherry_Picker]

Chiltern took on a trainee driver who was 55 when he joined the company and 56 by the time he was productive. There is always work for impressive candidates, regardless of age.

 

[Septus]

Way things are going with retirement age we'll be working till we're 70 before long!

 

[BravoGolfMike]

You can do anything you like, assuming you are medically fit and suitable for the role in question. Equality Legislation applies to the railway in much the same way as any other industry; if you were denied an opportunity because of your age then the company would be in direct breach of the Equality Act 2010.

From the experience I have of railway HR, I would be very surprised if anyone experienced direct age discrimination in 2013 and beyond. I actually suspect that if you went to an interview for a role such as trainee driver or guard, you will be able to draw on considerably more life experience than younger candidates (no disrespect intended,) and use your age to your advantage. Most interviews I have been to, and indeed heard of recently from others, are edging towards "Describe a time you have done XYZ," so you may have had more of these experiences than someone who is fresh out of uni. Note, "May."

Good luck if you do decide to apply.

 

[bahiablanca]

I hear what you are saying & hope you are right, but believe me in this day and age when there so many people out of work there is age discrimination out there.
I have had this conversation with people who work in HR they would never admit this, but they do assure me it goes on.
like me I work in a trade which pays an average wage, I'm sure once I left this role for whatever reason to be able to get another role that pays similar money would not be easy when you are competing with skilled people who probably have more than 30 yrs more service to give compared with someone who on paper has less than 10yrs before they retire, maybe its too risky to jump ships.
But having said that it worth a try, nothing ventured

 

[jadam35]

I hear what you are saying & hope you are right, but believe me in this day and age when there so many people out of work there is age discrimination out there.
I have had this conversation with people who work in HR they would never admit this, but they do assure me it goes on.
like me I work in a trade which pays an average wage, I'm sure once I left this role for whatever reason to be able to get another role that pays similar money would not be easy when you are competing with skilled people who probably have more than 30 yrs more service to give compared with someone who on paper has less than 10yrs before they retire, maybe its too risky to jump ships.
But having said that it worth a try, nothing ventured

I started as a Conductor last year and on my training course was a retired police officer and a few hovering around the 50 mark including myself, so if you stand out you will certainly get through..

 

[youngboy]

Got to agree with the sentiments above, the only thing I've seen from the HR depts within the rail industry is a fair approach to everyone. I think this has reinforced my ambition tbh to get a job in this industry, I too have witnessed age discrimination although this is vehemently denied it definitely does happen.
On a brighter note I think many 'bigger' companies are seeing the benefits of older,wiser heads. A mate was taken on at British Aerospace a few years ago, he hadn't worked in his trade since he qualified thirty years earlier yet at the interview the interviewer said that Aerospace would gladly retrain him and was happy, saying a 50 year old with 15 years good quality work left in them was a much safer bet than a young kid who's still out on the town every weekend.

 

[TDK]

I hear what you are saying & hope you are right, but believe me in this day and age when there so many people out of work there is age discrimination out there.
I have had this conversation with people who work in HR they would never admit this, but they do assure me it goes on.
like me I work in a trade which pays an average wage, I'm sure once I left this role for whatever reason to be able to get another role that pays similar money would not be easy when you are competing with skilled people who probably have more than 30 yrs more service to give compared with someone who on paper has less than 10yrs before they retire, maybe its too risky to jump ships.
But having said that it worth a try, nothing ventured

When I was recruiting drivers 9 years ago the company was happy to get 5 years productive work from a driver so I would imagine that anything up to 61 these days will be acceptable for the driving grade however this grade has very stiff competition so in my opinion unless you are already a railway employee or a qualified driver the age of 61 MAY be a disadvantage.

 

[steamybrian]

Many years ago after taking early retirement in Railtrack I accepted a short term contract with a Railway Contractor Company who was very pleased to accept someone with previous railway experience. The expanding company was also taking on others in their 50s (without railway experience) who had experience in other fields (business contracts, accountancy, building work, etc) as well as unskilled labourers who had the potential to learn.

 

[TDK]

Many years ago after taking early retirement in Railtrack I accepted a short term contract with a Railway Contractor Company who was very pleased to accept someone with previous railway experience. The expanding company was also taking on others in their 50s (without railway experience) who had experience in other fields (business contracts, accountancy, building work, etc) as well as unskilled labourers who had the potential to learn.

In many roles experience far outweighs age, I would prefer someone with experiences at 50 that someone without a lot younger.

 

[bahiablanca]

Has anyone got any leads for companies that may consider employing over fiftys

 

[TDK]

Has anyone got any leads for companies that may consider employing over fiftys

That is something you need to try yourself, apply for all the jobs you are interested in and see what companies give you an interview/assessment.