Minimum age to work on the railways?

[Jess Clark]

So I'm just 13 with ASD and I wanted to work on the rails since 7. I used to live next to the Far north line in 2013 after my flat got sent on fire still live in the flat. But I'm just wondering If I could work on the railways with my ASD, only affects my learning and just wanting to know whats the minimum age to work on the rails. I'm based in Inverness that's all.

 

[221129]

So I'm just 13 with ASD and I wanted to work on the rails since 7. I used to live next to the Far north line in 2013 after my flat got sent on fire still live in the flat. But I'm just wondering If I could work on the railways with my ASD, only affects my learning and just wanting to know whats the minimum age to work on the rails. I'm based in Inverness that's all.

Generally 18, 21 for drivers. Some apprenticeships recruit from age 16.

 

[Jess Clark]

The ones at 16 is?

 

[221129]

The ones at 16 is?

Some apprenticeships. Dont think ScotRail do them though.

 

[Jammy]

anyone know of any 16 year old apprenticeships within the railway industry, i have looked at EMR and there minimum is 18 I believe

 

[J3053B]

Your very young, whilst it’s lovely to see someone young want to pursue a career on the railway; for the time being work as hard as you can at school - and look more in to it when you come to leaving secondary school.

 

[60074]

anyone know of any 16 year old apprenticeships within the railway industry, i have looked at EMR and there minimum is 18 I believe

I believe Great Western start apprenticeships at 16

 

[Jess Clark]

How am I ment to work with GWR? If I live in Inverness.

 

[Ducatist4]

If you want to start work at 16 then you'll have to rent a flat or something.

 

[221129]

How am I ment to work with GWR? If I live in Inverness.

You would need to move. Or more likely need to wait until you are 18.

 

[RJM]

Hi Jess,

Usually, you have to be 18 to work on the railway however there are some exceptions to that - local to you, depending on what area of the business you’re interesting in, ScotRail offer an engineering or a customer service apprenticeship which you can apply for between the ages of 16-25 (unless it’s changed since I last looked but definitely look into it). I started on the railway aged 17 with South West Trains in a part time gateline position then progressed up to becoming a Guard when I was 18 then I managed to land a driving job 2 and a half years ago when I turned 21; age is just a number, providing you’ve got the skills to do the job you’re applying for and you’re reliable, you stand as much chance as someone a bit older.

Also, I know plenty of folk who work on the railway with an ASD diagnosis who all have different skills which they bring to the job, so don’t let that hold you back!

Definitely contact ScotRail (or whoever you’re applying for) regarding what age you’d be considered for jobs, anything safety critical (train dispatch, guard), you’ve gotta be 18 or over and for driver, it’s 21 (however some companies will commence your training when you’re 20). Best of luck for the future!

 

[Jess Clark]

I do live in Scotland and I'm only 13. Planning to move to England at 16, but I do turn 14 on 12/4/2021! I do have worry's that I wont pass the (Interview) as I failed half of my school tests. So I highly dout I can work on the railway's with low scores on my tests. So there is a 50/50 chance that I will fail or pass. But I do live a mile away from Inverness station, I do cycle! I never walk only if I'm with mates or family. My 2 other siblings have job's. So if they got a job, then I might get a job. I do google "youngest age to work on the railway". When writing this I found something on google from Scotrail, but I don't know if it will be in Inverness. I can ask when lockdown is over.

 

[omnicity4659]

As others have said, it'll either be 16 or 18, depending on if the role is safety critical or not.

I'm also diagnosed with ASD and had difficulties in school, I've had large gaps in attendance since the age of 10, with years of nothing at all.

I'm 19 now and have had four job interviews for roles at TOCs and rail related websites over the last year, sadly Covid put a stop to progressing with the most recent three! The majority of recruitment teams look for experience and personality over academics. Don't worry yourself too much and just try your best at what you're doing now.

 

[Deltic1]

Started my railway engineering apprentiship at 17, but there were 16 year olds on my course. As others have said, as long as you're reliable, willing to learn and have some skills to bring, age doesn't come too much into it.

 

[Jess Clark]

Started my railway engineering apprentiship at 17, but there were 16 year olds on my course. As others have said, as long as you're reliable, willing to learn and have some skills to bring, age doesn't come too much into it.

What TOC is that?

 

[Deltic1]

What TOC is that?

Not a TOC, a company that overhauls trains, I don't really want to put out in public which one.

 

[Jess Clark]

You can Dm me it!

 

[Stigy]

I do live in Scotland and I'm only 13. Planning to move to England at 16, but I do turn 14 on 12/4/2021! I do have worry's that I wont pass the (Interview) as I failed half of my school tests. So I highly dout I can work on the railway's with low scores on my tests. So there is a 50/50 chance that I will fail or pass. But I do live a mile away from Inverness station, I do cycle! I never walk only if I'm with mates or family. My 2 other siblings have job's. So if they got a job, then I might get a job. I do google "youngest age to work on the railway". When writing this I found something on google from Scotrail, but I don't know if it will be in Inverness. I can ask when lockdown is over.View attachment 87957

The minimum age for an Apprenticeship is usually 16. As others have said, the minimum is a usually 16 or 18 depending of if the role is classed as safety critical or not (probably barring apprenticeships).

Where I’d say over all education isn’t the be all and end all, if you want to do an Apprenticeship you’ll need Grades A to C in English and Maths or equivalent to be able to do this. You have a few years yet before you can apply, so just concentrate on education for the time being and get any help you need to get you through. Good luck!

 

[Stuart-h]

So I'm just 13 with ASD and I wanted to work on the rails since 7. I used to live next to the Far north line in 2013 after my flat got sent on fire still live in the flat. But I'm just wondering If I could work on the railways with my ASD, only affects my learning and just wanting to know whats the minimum age to work on the rails. I'm based in Inverness that's all.

ASD shouldnt be a problem for the railway.
Work wise with your age it depends what you want to do weather it's for a train operator or a frieight operator train company.
I think Network Rail allow you on at 16 with a personal track safety ticket but are heavly resticked on working hours ie cant work on a night shift.

 

[Jess Clark]

The minimum age for an Apprenticeship is usually 16. As others have said, the minimum is a usually 16 or 18 depending of if the role is classed as safety critical or not (probably barring apprenticeships).

Where I’d say over all education isn’t the be all and end all, if you want to do an Apprenticeship you’ll need Grades A to C in English and Maths or equivalent to be able to do this. You have a few years yet before you can apply, so just concentrate on education for the time being and get any help you need to get you through. Good luck!

I'm far behind my learning! Stuck at my mums in the deep snow, around 1 or 2 feet in Carrbridge. Station is around 2 miles away I have my bike with me, I will probably end up falling but oh well! I am bad at Maths, I failed my tests!

 

[Alex27]

I am 16 and work as a customer service apprentice at GWR There's at least 4 of us that are 16