Will the railways employ part time students

[waterboo]

Hello all,
Being a 16 year old kid that would like to continue school in the future, i was wondering if the railway would even consider employing 16 year olds for part time vacancies. Does this kind of employment exist at the moment, and if so, what TOC is the most flexible in terms of this??

 

[Urban Gateline]

At 16 you are restricted to applying for non safety-critical roles like Ticket Office or Gateline/Revenue Protection, there are sometimes part time vacancies for these roles depending on what geographical area you limit yourself to. However bear in mind that as Railway jobs are so desirable there will be people with potentially more experience than you applying for these roles, it may be better to get experience from a retail job first to show you have customer service experience.

 

[Nevillehill]

Hello all,
Being a 16 year old kid that would like to continue school in the future, i was wondering if the railway would even consider employing 16 year olds for part time vacancies. Does this kind of employment exist at the moment, and if so, what TOC is the most flexible in terms of this??

volunteer at the Heart Foundation and gain skills in customer care, ok it's voluntary but you will gain experience.

 

[edwin_m]

What subject(s) do you intend to continue studying? A job that contributes to your career prospects may be better than one that just earns you a bit of money.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

volunteer at the Heart Foundation and gain skills in customer care, ok it's voluntary but you will gain experience.

Indeed, or a preserved railway. Just about every decent-sized preserved railway I've visited is happy to take on extra volunteers for most roles. As Urban Gateline says though, the OP would be restricted to non-safety critical jobs like booking clerk, shop assistant etc.

 

[waterboo]

Well currently, i am a customer service rep at B&Q, so i already have some experience. Regarding subjects, i unfortunately are doing some mundane subjects including English Literature, Chemistry, Maths and Biology.

 

[Monty]

I think you would be hard pressed to find a TOC that will employ someone who is under 18 years age regardless of any legal minimum age requirements. I cannot think of a single example of under 18s being employed by SWT (excluding apprenticeship schemes), as for part time employment most TOCs have some level of part tine staff though this is mainly restricted to non-operational roles such as ticket office or platform staff. Train crew are largely all full time though it is not unheard of for two members of staff to job share if they both want to mutually reduce their hours.

 

[tsr]

I know FGW have a few part-time conductors, and I think possibly Southern, too, so such positions may exist elsewhere as well - but, of course, you'd still have to be over 18, and very preferably either have some experience of work where you were responsible for someone's safety, or at the very least where you'd been under pressure with many decisions to make - not to mention customer service experience.

Some ticket offices open for limited hours (e.g. mornings only), so that might be an avenue to pursue, if it suits you and you can get into the assessment stage.

 

[455driver]

Well currently, i am a customer service rep at B&Q, so i already have some experience. Regarding subjects, i unfortunately are doing some mundane subjects including English Literature, Chemistry, Maths and Biology.

Um English?

 

[Nym]

Um English?

You're assuming that someone studying English is able to actually speak and write it properly. Also, English Literature.

Having seen the quality of written communication from certain project managers and operational managers that I know have completed English qualifications to A level if not degree level, I would say that these A Levels and Degrees do very little to encourage good written communication techniques, either that, or they simply do not care after entering the workplace.

Back to the OP, having clicked I thought that you was asking if the railway is in a position to employ part time students (in this case the answer is yes, dependent on where). In answer to, "Does the railway employ students on a part time basis?" Then I feel this has already been answered. It depends on what area of the railway you wish to work in, if you want to come work in my area of engineering then work placements under things like the IET Power Academy are a possibility in later life, true part time is not really available. Work placements are much more possible in this circumstance.

In reference to actual part time work, I must echo the sentiments of those above with the warning that ticket office and gate line part time work is usually with the requirement of flexibility on the part of the employee, that if you are focused on your studies is not usually something one can offer.

Similarly, agency working that requires something akin to a zero hours contract (all that you're likely to find in all honesty) would only provide experience and not usually something that you can place as a catch all sentence on your CV. You would need to focus on a competence based CV when applying later in your career (not something most employers like to see unless it's done properly).

Anyway, rant over.

 

[Mojo]

I think you would be hard pressed to find a TOC that will employ someone who is under 18 years age regardless of any legal minimum age requirements. I cannot think of a single example of under 18s being employed by SWT (excluding apprenticeship schemes), as for part time employment most TOCs have some level of part tine staff though this is mainly restricted to non-operational roles such as ticket office or platform staff. Train crew are largely all full time though it is not unheard of for two members of staff to job share if they both want to mutually reduce their hours.

I used to work with a 17-year-old who was a casual member of station staff, dealing with mobility assists and platform management (but not dispatch) for a Toc.

 

[ert47]

Could have a look at agencies that do work on the railways - like OnTrak for example.

 

[edwin_m]

Regarding subjects, i unfortunately are doing some mundane subjects including English Literature, Chemistry, Maths and Biology.

If you're interested in going into engineering, maths and sciences might get you into an apprenticeship.

 

[Nym]

If you're interested in going into engineering, maths and sciences might get you into an apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships very rarely lead to engineering in the railway, 99% of the time you'll be in a technical role such as maintenance.

Even when or if you build up enough experience to have the skills to become an engineer, you'd need to take a massive pay cut to go into it.

 

[edwin_m]

My employer does apprenticeships for civil engineering CAD technicians who may be involved in design of rail infrastructure. I don't know the details but I know there is a route in for non-graduates.

 

[Nym]

You've hit the nail on the head there with CAD Technician...
That isn't an Engineer, its a Draughtsperson...

There is a route to Engineering without a degree or HNC but its very convoluted.

 

[edwin_m]

As a Chartered Engineer myself, I'm very aware of that distinction, which is why I referred to Engineering and didn't mention the word Engineer.

 

[Bushy]

Advanced Technician Apprenticeships can be used as a route to CEng. In theory you should be able to leave school with GCSEs and gain CEng in the same time as going the A-level/degree route. The Apprentice has an opportunity to pick up recognised intermediate qualifications (including EngTech and IEng) on the way and can, if they so decide, stop at any level. Most of the large and many small consulting engineering companies support the route. The route is currently recognised by ICE, IET and CIBSE. Take a look at:
http://www.tacnet.org.uk/home/511

Regards

Bushy

 

[CatfordCat]

Not quite railway work, but one possibility might be doing rail replacement bus work outside a station during engineering work (the exact job title for this varies - controller, co-ordinator, customer service)

It tends mainly to be weekend work and is usually a 'zero hours' thing depending on when it's needed.

The people who do this range from semi-retired to students - not quite sure where an under-18 would stand, as it can involve quite early or late work, and being able to get yourself to remote locations before / after the service is running tends to be an advantage.

The level of staffing that TOCs put in to this (often via contractors) varies - First CC tend to have quite a high staffing level compared to Southern for example. With some TOCs, the whole thing - including the control staff - is done by bus companies.

While this isn't direct railway work, some of the skills / experience (dealing with customers, reacting to things going wrong, e.g. buses not turning up / being full, and doing things safely) would be potentially useful.

Some people I have known on rail replacement work have used it as a way in to regular railway work.

Can you give us a clue where (roughly) you are, and might be able to give some pointers.

 

[waterboo]

Um English?

My apologies I was typing on the phone, and as always, hilarity is ensured!!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Not quite railway work, but one possibility might be doing rail replacement bus work outside a station during engineering work (the exact job title for this varies - controller, co-ordinator, customer service)

It tends mainly to be weekend work and is usually a 'zero hours' thing depending on when it's needed.

The people who do this range from semi-retired to students - not quite sure where an under-18 would stand, as it can involve quite early or late work, and being able to get yourself to remote locations before / after the service is running tends to be an advantage.

The level of staffing that TOCs put in to this (often via contractors) varies - First CC tend to have quite a high staffing level compared to Southern for example. With some TOCs, the whole thing - including the control staff - is done by bus companies.

While this isn't direct railway work, some of the skills / experience (dealing with customers, reacting to things going wrong, e.g. buses not turning up / being full, and doing things safely) would be potentially useful.

Some people I have known on rail replacement work have used it as a way in to regular railway work.

Can you give us a clue where (roughly) you are, and might be able to give some pointers.

Hi, that sounds like an excellent idea. One that i would not think off! I live in the West London area.

 

[E&W Lucas]

The short answer is that PT opportunities do exist. A lot is going to depend on where you are located. If you are anywhere near a major inter city depot, you could see if they would consider you for PT onboard work, but you've very little chance if under 18, due to the need to serve alcohol.
Try railtour/ charter companies too, but the above will also apply.
Major stations sometimes have baggage assist, etc staff at weekends/ peak holiday peiods. Again, approach the long distance operators.

 

[RJ]

Not quite railway work, but one possibility might be doing rail replacement bus work outside a station during engineering work (the exact job title for this varies - controller, co-ordinator, customer service)

It tends mainly to be weekend work and is usually a 'zero hours' thing depending on when it's needed.

The people who do this range from semi-retired to students - not quite sure where an under-18 would stand, as it can involve quite early or late work, and being able to get yourself to remote locations before / after the service is running tends to be an advantage.

The level of staffing that TOCs put in to this (often via contractors) varies - First CC tend to have quite a high staffing level compared to Southern for example. With some TOCs, the whole thing - including the control staff - is done by bus companies.

While this isn't direct railway work, some of the skills / experience (dealing with customers, reacting to things going wrong, e.g. buses not turning up / being full, and doing things safely) would be potentially useful.

Some people I have known on rail replacement work have used it as a way in to regular railway work.

Can you give us a clue where (roughly) you are, and might be able to give some pointers.

Quite a few I chat to when driving rail replacement buses say they were doing it through an agency. The conditions can be quite tough - often they work the full 6 hours, sometimes longer before getting any relief, which is quite a long time to be up on your feet in all manners of weather. All minimum wage too, with further deductions from the agency/umbrella company as appropriate.

Still, they get long hours - usually 12 hour shifts. I don't know which agencies they work for, though I know that James Lewis and Integrated Solutions do supply staff for various transport roles.

I'm in my 20s now but I haven't had an issue getting part time work on the railways whilst studying - I did 20 hours on weekends only on board trains and now around 5 hours on a Saturday in a ticket office.

 

[CatfordCat]

Hi, that sounds like an excellent idea. One that i would not think off! I live in the West London area.

Sorry for the delay in coming back to this thread - I've been away for a few days.

If you're in the London patch, then I guess travel difficulties will be less than if you lived out in the wilds...

My knowledge of rail replacement around London (can't guarantee that I'm 100% up to date) from the perspective of control staff (rather than bus / coaches and their drivers) is (in roughly clockwise order) -

FGW - use First Rail Support - http://www.firstgroup.com/firstrailsupport/ - Casual staff, ranging from students to semi retired. Reasonably good pay. Not often blockades as far in as Paddington, though.

Chiltern / X Country - since it's part of DB group, buses tend to be Arriva group in the first instance. Arriva do employ their own control staff, who come under the wing of Arriva Trains Wales. Website http://www.railbyroad.com/ - I have also seen Arriva The Shires buses (a while ago) seeking casual navigators to accompany drivers at the start of their shifts.

Virgin - rare for a full blockade, but use First Rail Support

London Midland - control staff supplied by Cabline - http://www.cablinecoachandbus.co.uk/contact.htm - don't think their pay is great.

LOROL, Southern, South Eastern - buses from Go-Ahead London. Control staffing seems to be quite minimal, mainly staffed by Go-Ahead London staff (presume people working rest days) - bus service is usually good, but absence of staff / information is not great. Have known occasions when even station staff haven't known a rail replacement is running.

FCC - also First Rail Support, tend to staff rail replacement operations more comprehensively than most. Not sure what will happen under new franchise.

Greater Anglia - not sure. Have seen Abelio advertise for a rail replacement planning manager, so this may be moving in house. http://abelliorailreplacement.co.uk/ seems more pitched towards potential bus operators, but may be worth a look.

C2C - haven't the foggiest.

South West Trains - small Stagecoach rail replacement fleet of buses, control staff tend also to be the 'stand by' bus driver rather than someone specific to that task.

All of the above will take on extra staff via agencies for big events. I have also seen adverts on the likes of Gumtree for big DLR / London Underground blockades, but not sure who organises these. And the advertised pay has been pretty basic.

I'm not going to say where / when, but I have had some involvement in this sort of thing.

Bear in mind that the proportion of irate to happy travellers is relatively high, you're dealing with passengers who need more reassurance than the average train passenger because they are making an unfamiliar journey, and like all transport work, it's often odd hours (and I'm not sure quite what the law is about under 18s working odd hours.) In many cases, you'd be working with at least one other person and near to station staff, but you can end up at an unstaffed station, on your own, with only mobile phone contact to a remote control room.

Happy hunting.