Northern Train Dispatcher Role and Progression

[thetom22]

Hello all.

Northern recently advertised a Train Dispatcher role for Liverpool Lime Street and I've put in an application.

Haven't heard anything back yet, but my reason for applying is to get my foot in the door and eventually progress to higher roles like Conductor and Driver.

I applied for a Conductor role last year, but wasn't successful after the interview.

I've heard that in some TOC's you only progress in the company if "your face fits" and my worry is that I could potentially be stuck as a Dispatcher and not move forward. I'd be taking a pay cut from my current job if I got the Dispatcher role and I have plans to eventually get on the property ladder which would be a lot easier with the higher salaries that the other roles offer.

Can anyone shed some light on this for me? I know it could be a load of nonsense, but there's no smoke without fire.

Cheers

 

[Hugo3000]

If you're any professional and perform well you will not have an issue progressing into train crew roles. Plenty of drivers and guards started on the platforms and some have progressed very quickly.

 

[ga1717]

I began my railway career as a dispatcher. I moved on internally and externally with no problems. As Hugo says, be professional, keep high standards and you should be fine.
Dispatch is a great job, safety critical role and will give you a good (brief) base knowledge of the rulebook.

 

[traintee]

I began as a guard and progressed to be a driver. I think the knowledge I gained as a guard was invaluable and the company also knows you are a competent member of staff.