Starting Out - Career Advice please :)

[mac2468]

Hello,
I know next to nothing about this area, and unfortunately don't know ANYONE who works in rail either! From what I've read here so far, it's a broad and complex industry with many specialities within it.
I'm hoping someone will help fill me in on what they would do in this situation.

My son is 16 and very disillusioned with school - he just wants to start working as soon as possible and the only area he has a passion for is trains.
He's about to take his GCSEs, and will probably get about 6 or 7 passes.
His strengths are he's innately very clever and perceptive, good at maths and science, reflective and thoughtful, polite and well-mannered, willing to give things a go.
His weaknesses are he's very quiet, doesn't speak up much, he doesn't do as well in exams as he should, his processing speed is slow in conversations (although his reaction time when playing games is excellent, haha). High-functioning autism essentially.

So far, we've applied for him to do BTECs and T-Levels at college in Engineering (probably to later specialise in mechanical or electrical). But being so jaded with studying, I'm not sure how long I can keep him at college for.
We've also just applied for him to volunteer on the Watercress Line in nearby Alton, haven't heard back yet.
Any ideas on how to carve out a route through this complex industry with many parts to it? e.g. courses to study, volunteering/work experience opportunities, apprenticeships, the main rail firm employers (or types of employers) to follow, how to get him mixing with others in the industry, exhibitions, workshops - whatever you can suggest! I'm a full-time working single parent with next to no time to research into this area, and he doesn't know where to start either.
Also, we're in the Alton area at the moment but planning a future move, so willing to relocate if there are advantages to being in certain locations, e.g. London or even further out.

 

[Stuart-h]

Might be worth while asking at your local train station if there takeing on platform staff.

 

[Horizon22]

There's definitely apprenticeships available and out there, and the railway does take quite a few on.

The best advice is to periodically check the recruitment websites for Network Rail and local TOCs (e.g. SWR) and see what is available at any given time. He may also be able to get some work experience by asking SWR at stations or a direct enquiry although be warned they cannot always accomodate. It depends where he wants to go because gateline roles often come up and are some of the most junior positions but help you get a "foot in the door" whereas areas related to engineering may offer more direct prospects but will be more competitive.

 

[Simon11]

I would consider volunteering at Talyllyn Railway where he would be welcomed with open arms and we have a really strong youth group (called Talyllyn Young Members Group) with quite a diverse mix of volunteers (women & men- young/ old- which can be rare on some heritage railways) and fantastic training teams!

While it would involve a trip to reach there, there is a hostel onsite where numerous volunteers stay on site, providing great chances to meet other like minded people and gain a huge amount of experience living away for a few days at a time.

Check out https://www.talyllyn.co.uk/support/young-volunteers/



Also he should consider joining the https://www.youngrailpro.com/ and joining for a few events that are of interest to network with like minded people.

 

[Driver2B]

Hi,

From what you have described, I think he would be sufficiently qualified for station roles. To find these, look on the websites of the train operating companies (SWR)? Check frequently as they often don't last long and are quickly taken down.

Search Page

Join us on our journey

careers.firstgroup.co.uk

Depending on the role, station roles are often called "Rail Operator 2"
Currently a full-time role at Wokingham and part-time roles at Bracknell and Guildford.

The benefit of station roles is that he is more likely to have a workplace near home than some other roles. It's a good foundation if he wants to move within the company in the first place.

There are other station roles operated by agency staff such as STM Group (https://www.stmsecurity.com/careers/), On Trak (https://www.ontrakrecruitment.co.uk/) or less-frequently Adecco Rail (https://www.adecco.com/en-gb/industry/aviation-and-rail).

Experiencing volunteering would be a very positive thing on his application and joining Young Rail Professionals would, too.

When/if he does apply, he should remain focused on discussing his competencies and experiences, and what he can contribute to the network and passengers, without talking too much about his interest in trains.

I hope that this is helpful.

 

[AverageJoe]

There is also cleaning roles at stations and train maintenance depots.
I always have a chat with these guys and they seem to enjoy the job. They often have regular access to trains, mess rooms and depots and always enjoy interacting with the other station and train crew.

 

[matcha]

Apprenticeships - Network Rail

Apprenticeships at Network rail are designed to provide you with practical on the job training mixed with classroom-based learning

www.networkrail.co.uk

 

[LYradial]

Sounds just like me at that age, I hated school because of the thought of being confined.

it’s my thought that you need to decide if he is a 9 to 5 sign on and off person or if he is happier working on his own or as a member of a small team outdoors or at least doing something different each day.
i am sort of thinking signals engineer or similar, the maths and science are a good start.

 

[mac2468]

What a great community this is, lot's of brilliant suggestions there it would have taken us years to find out!
Thanks guys

 

[swrfanatic]

Hello,
I know next to nothing about this area, and unfortunately don't know ANYONE who works in rail either! From what I've read here so far, it's a broad and complex industry with many specialities within it.
I'm hoping someone will help fill me in on what they would do in this situation.

My son is 16 and very disillusioned with school - he just wants to start working as soon as possible and the only area he has a passion for is trains.
He's about to take his GCSEs, and will probably get about 6 or 7 passes.
His strengths are he's innately very clever and perceptive, good at maths and science, reflective and thoughtful, polite and well-mannered, willing to give things a go.
His weaknesses are he's very quiet, doesn't speak up much, he doesn't do as well in exams as he should, his processing speed is slow in conversations (although his reaction time when playing games is excellent, haha). High-functioning autism essentially.

So far, we've applied for him to do BTECs and T-Levels at college in Engineering (probably to later specialise in mechanical or electrical). But being so jaded with studying, I'm not sure how long I can keep him at college for.
We've also just applied for him to volunteer on the Watercress Line in nearby Alton, haven't heard back yet.
Any ideas on how to carve out a route through this complex industry with many parts to it? e.g. courses to study, volunteering/work experience opportunities, apprenticeships, the main rail firm employers (or types of employers) to follow, how to get him mixing with others in the industry, exhibitions, workshops - whatever you can suggest! I'm a full-time working single parent with next to no time to research into this area, and he doesn't know where to start either.
Also, we're in the Alton area at the moment but planning a future move, so willing to relocate if there are advantages to being in certain locations, e.g. London or even further out.

To work at a station you'll need to be 18 + unless on a work experience program or apprenticeship. SWR have announced they will not be taking on apprenticeships this year however will release applications this autumn for their September 2026 intake. Southeastern are very welcoming towards one or two week work experience interns speak to your local flagship Southeastern station and ask for a Station Manager who will be more than happy to oblige!

Alternatively your son could also try out some apprenticeships that are currently out which are available for 16 year olds of which he can start this September.

- GWR Engineering - https://careers.firstgroup.co.uk/jo...om-plymouth-penzance-cornwall-reading-bristol

- Southeastern Engineering - https://jobs.southeasternrailway.co.uk/jobs/job/Engineering-Apprentice-2025/2767

Good luck if you do choose to apply!

 

[whoosh]

@mac2468

Train planning? Planning the timetable. LTP (Long Term Planning) for the May and December permanent timetables, STP (Short Term Planning) for alterations for engineering work. Some TOCs have separate sections for rolling stock planning (the 'circuit' each train set does) and traincrew planning. Others do all three parts.
9-5 office job, so regular hours, if having a routine is important. Being good at maths helps. Attention to detail.

Sometimes a Trainee position comes up for these roles.

If he's a 'doing' person, engineering as mentioned above, might be a better fit.

Both Train Planning and Engineering are not front line, so no or minimal contact with the public, if he's quiet or not very confident with people.

Should also mention London Underground, who have Engineering on things like escalators and lifts, aswell as trains, and also have Train Planners who are called 'Schedule Compilers' there.
There are apprenticeships available at London Underground which may be worth a look.

London Underground apprenticeships

TfL London Underground engineering apprentice roles

tfl.gov.uk

Working for a TOC (Train Operating Company) will get you free travel on that TOC and sometimes arrangements with other TOCs, or a season ticket at 75% off if it's travelling on a different TOC to the one you work for.

Working for London Underground, I believe you pay a full rate season ticket if using main line railways, but get a reimbursement for 75% of the cost back from London Underground.

Obviously offices in central London and engineering depots might not be particularly near to where you live, so that's what the travel to work arrangements would be.

Anyway, a bit to think about there. All the best!

 

[swrfanatic]

@mac2468

Train planning? Planning the timetable. LTP (Long Term Planning) for the May and December permanent timetables, STP (Short Term Planning) for alterations for engineering work. Some TOCs have separate sections for rolling stock planning (the 'circuit' each train set does) and traincrew planning. Others do all three parts.
9-5 office job, so regular hours, if having a routine is important. Being good at maths helps. Attention to detail.

Sometimes a Trainee position comes up for these roles.

If he's a 'doing' person, engineering as mentioned above, might be a better fit.

Both Train Planning and Engineering are not front line, so no or minimal contact with the public, if he's quiet or not very confident with people.

Should also mention London Underground, who have Engineering on things like escalators and lifts, aswell as trains, and also have Train Planners who are called 'Schedule Compilers' there.
There are apprenticeships available at London Underground which may be worth a look.

London Underground apprenticeships

TfL London Underground engineering apprentice roles

tfl.gov.uk

Working for a TOC (Train Operating Company) will get you free travel on that TOC and sometimes arrangements with other TOCs, or a season ticket at 75% off if it's travelling on a different TOC to the one you work for.

Working for London Underground, I believe you pay a full rate season ticket if using main line railways, but get a reimbursement for 75% of the cost back from London Underground.

Obviously offices in central London and engineering depots might not be particularly near to where you live, so that's what the travel to work arrangements would be.

Anyway, a bit to think about there. All the best!

Sadly all TfL apprenticeships are 18+

 

[whoosh]

Sadly all TfL apprenticeships are 18+

Ah yes, my mistake, I hadn't taken that into account.

In that case, maybe something to aim for later.

What I was trying to get across, is that there are a broad range of roles and specialities on the railway, and also that the tube might not have been thought about, and opens up even more roles.