PTS sponsorship

[ABearcroft]

Hello all, hope you have all had a merry Christmas.

I am looking for some general advice and knowledge from people about acquiring my PTS in the new year.
In the last couple of years I have managed to get myself to the interview stage with Network rail for the off track operative role, the interviews have gone really well and received positive feedback but the stumbling block has always been my lack of PTS. I do hold a lot of competencies required for the role due to my current work, i.e Chainsaw licence, use of plant machinery.
I have looked at obtaining my PTS off my own back by paying for the course with a training company and then getting sponsorship, this is the career that I want to pursue but I need to weigh up my options as in
*Currently in a full time role with a permanent contract. Would struggle to obtain hours to keep PTS if I stay with my current role.
*Partner has been made redundant due to the pandemic
*I have a young family (4 year old & 4 month old)

So to finally get to my point, what I would like to know is......
*People who have gone and obtained their PTS, do you have regular work with companies that have sponsored you?
*Has anyone regretted taking the plunge from a stable full time role?
*How much time is spent away from home?
*Has anyone found an advantage of obtaining own PTS and then moving on to a full time role

I am based just outside Caerphilly in South Wales for info,
Sorry if long winded but need to get a clear picture before making a final decision,
Thanks in advance,
Andrew

 

[Ducatist4]

Have they actually said that the lack of PTS is the issue you failed on? Or do they say that a more suitably qualified person was selected?

 

[ABearcroft]

Have they actually said that the lack of PTS is the issue you failed on? Or do they say that a more suitably qualified person was selected?

The rejection email I received said "more suitable candidate" but in fairness for 3 of the interviews I was rung by interviewer to tell me that I was unsuccessful, it was then I was told that the only difference was the PTS and they had someone who could hit the ground running.
I know that Network rail would provide training for my PTS but I'm looking to try and get that head start.

 

[henke7]

Lack of PTS is a non issue, I was told even if you held a PTS qualification you would still have to undertake the course in a Network Rail training environment and likewise for other competencies. It could be down to risk as they probably feel the other candidate would likely pass again.

 

[Stigy]

Lack of PTS is a non issue, I was told even if you held a PTS qualification you would still have to undertake the course in a Network Rail training environment and likewise for other competencies. It could be down to risk as they probably feel the other candidate would likely pass again.

PTS is generally non transferable, between TOCs at least, so I agree this shouldn’t be an issue.

 

[CJK64]

PTS should not be an issue. every new starter has to undertake an induction course (TR00) which is 5 days, one of the days is set aside for PTS training. If any individual already holds a PTS, they sit out the PTS training but still have to do the other 4 days.