Network Rail Operatives and Technicians - General Discussion

[forrest]

i have gotten in touch with someone at nr explaining the actual time doing ur training . they replied ill "be doing training away for weeks at a time which is fine, but certainly not 20 weeks "consecutively. i wanted to know as someone who may know of have done the training . did people at westwood or hms sultan literally stay at the venues for 20 weeks recurring or would it be similar to what may go ahead for this years enrollment.

Are you on a fast-track scheme?

 

[railtrainsandt]

Are you on a fast-track scheme?

I dont believe so , no

 

[aajt]

I'm looking to apply for a track operative role. Is 53 years of age too old to work on the track.
Any help or advice gratefully appreciated

 

[Horizon22]

I'm looking to apply for a track operative role. Is 53 years of age too old to work on the track.
Any help or advice gratefully appreciated

This is more a question of your own physical health and preparedness to be out and about in all weathers and on various shifts doing relatively intensive work.

Personally it’s not something I’d want to be doing into my mid-late 50s, but this depends on your personal circumstances.

 

[Straus]

approx 30% of the rail workforce are over 50 so it's not necessarily a barrier.

Depending on role it can be a very physically demanding job, being a COSS would be worlds away from working in a drainage maintainance team for instance.

 

[aajt]

This is more a question of your own physical health and preparedness to be out and about in all weathers and on various shifts doing relatively intensive work.

Personally it’s not something I’d want to be doing into my mid-late 50s, but this depends on your personal circumstances.

Thank you

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 23 Sep 2025 ==

approx 30% of the rail workforce are over 50 so it's not necessarily a barrier.

Depending on role it can be a very physically demanding job, being a COSS would be worlds away from working in a drainage maintainance team for instance.

Thank you

 

[Horizon22]

approx 30% of the rail workforce are over 50 so it's not necessarily a barrier.

True, but I would hazard a guess that a) the vast majority are not new starters and b) that percentage is indicative of the whole workforce, not the operatives.

 

[Kyle2409]

Hi Guys
I have an assessment/interview for s&t operative role. Has any one been through this process?

Its for 18 month fast track scheme based out of wimbledon

Any help be much appreciated

 

[a27420]

Hi there, I’m a current S&T tech. Coming in as an operative, from experience, you will be placed in a team, made familiar with the section you are covering. Shown the various pieces of equipment you will help maintain. The rest will be general lifting and shifting, getting the tools loaded and looking out for what’s needed for the job etc. You will then be sent on your SEM1 and then eventually SEM2 courses. These will give you the foundations for learning the S&T trade and then enable you to start building your competencies as those courses are a prerequisite for many others.

Congrats on the job mate and good luck.

I have a S&P tech interview with no s&t experience only pway any tips or advice anything I can learn for my interview

 

[randyopoku007]

Hi mate. I was asked a lot of questions to be honest. The same questions As said above by forest. I was asked about life saving rules the safety vision how the company works etc. It was mostly about how you deal with situations regarding safety, working with others improving yourself and others. How you work etc. It was fairly relaxed but they are looking for specifics answers to certain questions. Have you had the interview yet? You want get a medical/drug and alcohol test until you are successful. I didn’t do any group work or practical in my interview. Was face to face interview with a section manager and section planner. I still have some of the notes I wrote down. If you need any other info then private message if you need any help. I would be happy to do so. Cheers

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 1 Aug 2025 ==


Hi mate I didn’t get a medical until after I was successful.so if you are successful then this will all be sorted after that I did a lot of research about how the company works the life saving rules and the safety vision. I think I started about 6 weeks after being told I was successful. Have you received a date for interview?

Hello mate I have received an interview date now for off track operative and I would like for you to share me your notes, or how yours went.
with the questions and procedure please.

 

[hermi96]

Hi guys, I have been offered an interview for an operative(off track) in Scotland. Just wondering if anyone can shed some light on.
1. What is involved on a daily basis
2. What shift pattern is(it does involves nights/weekends)
3. How does overtime work? I.e roster premium etc how much extra would this be?
Also any tips for the interview would be greatly appreciated. Cheers

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 24 Mar 2024 ==


Anyone help?

Hi mate. I’ve applied for an off track role fairly local to me. Can I ask what sort of questions you got during your interview. Any tips should I be lucky enough to get offered one?

 

[jamierino]

Recently applied for a network rail operative job, just wondering if anyone knew roughly how long the application process is from sending your application to interview etc, thanks.

 

[MakeMineA99]

Hi all.
I've seen a few threads about progression after the Network Rail apprenticeship but nothing about progressing away from a specific discipline.

I've just started my 2nd year of my L3 engineering technician apprenticeship, and the discipline I'm assigned is Pway. I find the theory side involving mechanical and electrical engineering very interesting but on the whole, apart from the team who I work with who are great, I do not enjoy the job itself as a career, mainly with the role involving a lot of shoveling, removing clips, hammering, heavy lifting etc.

I have asked around but I've heard varying responses in what my options are. I'm colour deficient on my sentinel so have been told that it may impact moving to S&T after completion of the apprenticeship. I've considered Technical, however I've been told jobs are fairly few and far between in my area.

If anyone has any experience who is a bit more knowledgeable, did the apprenticeship in Pway or who have changed disciplines, It'd be greatly appreciated!

Many thanks!

 

[Sam1232]

Hi all, I recently applied for an operative role with NWR and looks like I’m being progressed to interview stage. The base salary is showing as £31k but wondering how much an operative could earn including allowances? My current job pays around £55k so it’s quite a big difference but can’t find any information about how much you could earn as an operative - on track.

Thanks

 

[Lighteight123]

Hi all.
I've seen a few threads about progression after the Network Rail apprenticeship but nothing about progressing away from a specific discipline.

I've just started my 2nd year of my L3 engineering technician apprenticeship, and the discipline I'm assigned is Pway. I find the theory side involving mechanical and electrical engineering very interesting but on the whole, apart from the team who I work with who are great, I do not enjoy the job itself as a career, mainly with the role involving a lot of shoveling, removing clips, hammering, heavy lifting etc.

I have asked around but I've heard varying responses in what my options are. I'm colour deficient on my sentinel so have been told that it may impact moving to S&T after completion of the apprenticeship. I've considered Technical, however I've been told jobs are fairly few and far between in my area.

If anyone has any experience who is a bit more knowledgeable, did the apprenticeship in Pway or who have changed disciplines, It'd be greatly appreciated!

Many thanks!

Would the tech teams not interest you? TOs etc. I presume you’ve dealt with them but they do a lot of the inspections and the like. They work more days and most of them are mon-fri with weekends overtime (but that will depend on depot).

 

[iain88]

Hi Guys
I have an assessment/interview for s&t operative role. Has any one been through this process?

Its for 18 month fast track scheme based out of wimbledon

Any help be much appreciated

Have you had the interview yet? I just had mine so I could give insight into the process

 

[iain88]

Hello everyone, I just got offered an s&t fast track technician position with NWR which I am excited about. Has any had experience of this path and what to expect with regards to working shifts whilst training and tips ect?

Also would everyone say it was a good career path to go down I have done my own research but would appreciate opinions of people in the business already!

 

[elmath]

Hello I had an interview on the 4th December for Malton/York and thought it went really well, was told that I should hear back the following week but haven’t heard anything yet haven’t heard in successful or unsuccessful and it’s been 2 weeks, what’s the likelihood of me being unsuccessful. Has anyone applied for York or Malton and been told yet? Thanks Ell

 

[nickidw]

Recently applied for a network rail operative job, just wondering if anyone knew roughly how long the application process is from sending your application to interview etc, thanks.

@jamierino Not your network but I applied for GWR multiskilled operative, closing date was 24th Nov, I emailed for an update and its still with the 'hiring manager' for shortlisting, that was on the 9th Dec. I haven't heard anything since, but to say GWR are pretty good at pushing out emails automatically to the first group careers site which is linked to your personal email. I applied for another role earlier in the year totally unrelated to operations, but it was an admin role and I heard absolutely nothing at all. I have friends who work with GWR and say recruitment process is slow, but I have had varied experiences for train dispatch role (applied and interviewed within 6weeks). And just this week I applied for a job closing on the 15th (lucky birthday date) and I have just this minute received an interview slot for Feb 26. So sorry not a definitive answer but its varies by hiring manager for the specific role you applied. There is no harm in you emailing Network rail (I phoned yesterday to have a signaller role transferred over and they were very helpful).

 

[elmath]

Hello mate I have received an interview date now for off track operative and I would like for you to share me your notes, or how yours went.
with the questions and procedure please.

Hello did you get job? I interviewed on Wednesday 4th December thought it went really well but not been told if successful or unsuccessful yet?

Hello everyone, I just got offered an s&t fast track technician position with NWR which I am excited about. Has any had experience of this path and what to expect with regards to working shifts whilst training and tips ect?

Also would everyone say it was a good career path to go down I have done my own research but would appreciate opinions of people in the business already!

hello when did you have your interview and when was you told you were successful? I had interview on 5th and haven’t been told successful or unsuccessful yet

 

[iain88]

Hello did you get job? I interviewed on Wednesday 4th December thought it went really well but not been told if successful or unsuccessful yet?

hello when did you have your interview and when was you told you were successful? I had interview on 5th and haven’t been told successful or unsuccessful yet

Hello mate, my interview was the 25th November and they called me on the 3rd December to say I was down to the last two and then I got another call an hour later saying I was successful. I would think you would get a phone call so keep an eye on your phone and fingers crossed for you!

 

[elmath]

Hello mate, my interview was the 25th November and they called me on the 3rd December to say I was down to the last two and then I got another call an hour later saying I was successful. I would think you would get a phone call so keep an eye on your phone and fingers crossed for you!

Oh congrats! That’s really quick, where was this for? I rang recruitment yesterday and they said nothing has been updated for the job yet Thanks

 

[iain88]

Oh congrats! That’s really quick, where was this for? I rang recruitment yesterday and they said nothing has been updated for the job yet Thanks

I wasn’t expecting it to be that quick tbh but I am really chuffed to get it, I don’t want to say the location I got but it’s not where you interviewed for.

 

[elmath]

Yeah it’s really quick, but I suppose they told the unsuccessful people quickly too? When I spoke to recruitment she made out that no one had been told and that the hiring manager was just on a bit of a back log so will see haha, it was for York/Malton x

 

[iain88]

Yeah it’s really quick, but I suppose they told the unsuccessful people quickly too? When I spoke to recruitment she made out that no one had been told and that the hiring manager was just on a bit of a back log so will see haha, it was for York/Malton x

I guess so, It’s horrible waiting for an answer. I kept checking the application online every couple of hours lol. Good luck

 

[adzzman]

Good evening guys I recently applied for network rail signalling technician/maintainer roll as I’m really looking for a change of career and looking into getting into the railway industry. I’m in my 30s and currently working as an appliance technician and working in refrigeration. I’m a certified pat tester with experience in electrical and mechanical works. I’ve applied for the roll but I’m feeling like it’s hopeless. Do I have a chance or will they look at my application and think never. Thank you

 

[Lighteight123]

Good evening guys I recently applied for network rail signalling technician/maintainer roll as I’m really looking for a change of career and looking into getting into the railway industry. I’m in my 30s and currently working as an appliance technician and working in refrigeration. I’m a certified pat tester with experience in electrical and mechanical works. I’ve applied for the roll but I’m feeling like it’s hopeless. Do I have a chance or will they look at my application and think never. Thank you

Hi, I wouldn’t rule yourself out. Technician roles aren’t usually an entry level job with it often being filled with people who hold NR operative roles (one step down) in the relevant discipline (in this case signalling & telecoms). However, it is known to take people on without railway experience who have alternate but relevant experience, like you do. So there’s still chance. I think it likely comes down to the quality of internal applicants.

 

[adzzman]

Thank you for the reply you’ve given me hope

 

[alxndr]

Good evening guys I recently applied for network rail signalling technician/maintainer roll as I’m really looking for a change of career and looking into getting into the railway industry. I’m in my 30s and currently working as an appliance technician and working in refrigeration. I’m a certified pat tester with experience in electrical and mechanical works. I’ve applied for the roll but I’m feeling like it’s hopeless. Do I have a chance or will they look at my application and think never. Thank you

It is rare for someone off the streets to go into a tech job but not impossible. Depends a lot on the people in your area and whether the operatives there, or even local contractors, have the inclination and experience to go for technician roles.

 

[marjml262]

Got an interview coming up for ohl technician, what sort of things am I expecting to be asked in the interview? It's a competency based interview with safety and technical questions

Thanks