Tests for signalling roles

[kingkopite1892]

Hi guys,
I'm clutching at straws here but here goes anyways.
I failed signalling school in 2011, therefore not able to apply again. And just my luck, the courses directly after me now have no pass or fail. Anybody know why I still can't apply or is it basically because i failed? Thanks

 

[55018ballymoss]

I do not understand. What do you mean no pass or fail?
When I went through signalling school in 2008, there were at least seven written assessments during the twelve weeks, with a minimum 70% pass mark. Are you saying that these assessments no longer take place? If so, how on earth can they measure if a candidate comprehends the course?

 

[carriageline]

No more tests mate. They do high risk sims every week based on high risk tasks (line blockages, T3s, SLW etc), does work very well!

And ring HR mate. How did you fail signalling school?

 

[kingkopite1892]

I got 56% (4% from a "yellow card") in my 3rd assessment of 5. the annoying thing is in the same week i was 1 of only 2 people on the course of 12 to get 100% in a communications test. They kept saying how important comms were. 2 people failed that test and had to re-sit it. 1 failed again yet got to carry on the course which, although i have nothing at all against the person who failed it twice, i thought it was a bit double standards. I appealed on that basis to no avail. And was told i couldn't apply to be a signaller again. Gutted about the whole thing even 2 years on. Seems there's no 2nd chances with NR

 

[55018ballymoss]

From what I remember of my course (nearly six years ago now), there were nine of us, and we only lost one member at an assessment. It was very sad as we were a complete group who supported each other. From what I remember the chap who failed was offered a role as a crossing keeper, so we all got jobs.
To be brutal though, whilst it is important to be very very good at communication as you do have the lives of train crew and on track staff in your hands as a signaller, if you cannot demonstrate the required knowledge of the rule book, the comms do not matter.
Having been through the course and the stress. I can understand what a crushing blow it is, and I do hope you can find something else within the industry.