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Year 10/12 Work Experience on the Railway - General Discussion
- Thread starter Luccar
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You should reach out to the companies in question you are looking for. TfL is probably easier to get work experience through than an individual TOC and I would check on their website or a local station and ask.
I presume you mean 2025?
Stardustkorps
New Member
I'm a GCSE student hoping to gain some work experience in the rail industry.
Unfortunately, I either can't find anything or many dead ends in old websites.
My dream job is the operational side either guarding or station staff.
Should I start cold emailing my local operators like thameslink and TfL?
Much love,
stardust
Unfortunately, I either can't find anything or many dead ends in old websites.
My dream job is the operational side either guarding or station staff.
Should I start cold emailing my local operators like thameslink and TfL?
Much love,
stardust
You could contact your operators - don't forget Greater Anglia too.
However even approaching a local station (like Cambridge) and asking at the ticket office or to speak to a supervisor and they might be able to point you in the right direction at the very least.
As someone who has managed work experience and placement students in my (non-rail) organisation, I fear that there will be some health & safety barriers.
We don't do anything particularly risky, but we don't allow under 16s (partly also because of DBS requirements). I'm not saying "don't do it" (and don't give up!), but it might not be as easy as "going and helping out at your local station", as much as many people here probably remember their own work experience was and wish it was still like this...
If your local station aren't very helpful, then try contacting the HR / careers department of a couple of local TOCs, e.g. Greater Anglia (recruit@greateranglia.co.uk).
Just to manage expectations, you definitely wouldn't be able to do anything classed as "operational", apart from maybe at best shadow a member of staff for a short period of time.
We don't do anything particularly risky, but we don't allow under 16s (partly also because of DBS requirements). I'm not saying "don't do it" (and don't give up!), but it might not be as easy as "going and helping out at your local station", as much as many people here probably remember their own work experience was and wish it was still like this...
If your local station aren't very helpful, then try contacting the HR / careers department of a couple of local TOCs, e.g. Greater Anglia (recruit@greateranglia.co.uk).
Just to manage expectations, you definitely wouldn't be able to do anything classed as "operational", apart from maybe at best shadow a member of staff for a short period of time.
Stardustkorps
New Member
Alright, thanks.
Spaceship323
Member
Get on the careers mailing list of your local train company, then they'll let you know of any positions or apprenticeships that become available
I am a secondary school student looking to do work experience with Chiltern this summer , i have sent an application to Chiltern railways who state on their website that they should be in contact within 2 weeks
It has now been over 8 weeks and multiple emails to them with no response. Any ideas what the best course of action would be , Should i go to Marylebone and ask a member of staff about it.
Chiltern's Page on work experience
It has now been over 8 weeks and multiple emails to them with no response. Any ideas what the best course of action would be , Should i go to Marylebone and ask a member of staff about it.
Chiltern's Page on work experience
swrfanatic
On Moderation
Wrote to them last year for work experience, no response. I don't think its a thing they want to pursue anymore.
You could try looking through TfL (check their careers page) for any opportunities as you are in reasonable distance of this area.
What type of work experience are you looking for? Are you just interested in the operational side, or would you consider an office based role within the rail industry?
If so, what courses have you taken and what skills do you have.
You may be lucky that someone here may be in a position to offer something outside the traditional work placement schemes.
If so, what courses have you taken and what skills do you have.
You may be lucky that someone here may be in a position to offer something outside the traditional work placement schemes.
Yes I have all sent them to the same address, I'll try to send them to the Chiltern customer support email address and see if I get a response from that.
Solowilliams
New Member
Hello, My 15 year old son in year 10 is seeking work
Experience with TFL to run between April 7-11.
Can anyone direct me on how to or who should I reach out to?
Thank you.
Experience with TFL to run between April 7-11.
Can anyone direct me on how to or who should I reach out to?
Thank you.
greatkingrat
Established Member
- Joined
- 20 Jan 2011
- Messages
- 3,308
You mean in a week's time? I'm afraid you have left it far too late to possibly arrange anything.
- Joined
- 21 Jan 2010
- Messages
- 5,574
Mod Note: I’ve just merged a few recent Work Experience related threads to create a discussion as an ongoing concern 
Hi, I would be extremely grateful, if anyone could give me advice on how to arrange work experience with TFL? I have sent out emails to bus companies and other head office email addresses, but heard nothing back. I am 16 and currently studying for my GCSE’s. My exams finish in late June, and will be free for the whole summer.
Thanking you all in advance
Thanking you all in advance
Everyone I've seen do work experience has known someone that works within TfL already and they have asked locally. Do you know any staff who could ask their managers?
It is strange being handed my paperwork by a 15 or 16 year old behind the desk.
Edit: presumably you've had a look here? Not sure if it's what you're looking for.
It is strange being handed my paperwork by a 15 or 16 year old behind the desk.
Edit: presumably you've had a look here? Not sure if it's what you're looking for.
ANDREW_D_WEBB
Member
I am a careers leader for a school in west London.
First port of call should be the careers leader in your school. Their initial response might be 'we don't do work experience', but perservere and they should support you to find your own placement. Mention to them that you doing work experience will help the school meet Gatsby benchmark 6 and Ofsted look at these closely.
Have you considered what you want to do at TfL? It is a huge organisation with a diverse range of roles. Does your e mail make it clear what you are interested in (without being overly prescriptive) doing during work experience? Some young people will look for office based placements whilst others might want more hands on practical placements.
Have you also considered what you hope to acheive / gain from doing work experience?
The London Transport Museum is always looking for volunteers. I recently took part in a focus group with them and know they are keen to engage with younger and under represented audiences.
E mails to the head office will often be ignored as the person reading them doesn't know who to forward it to and it gets deleted. Have a look at this website. It is aimed at teaching staff but gives you a flavour of what TfL offers for students and might yield a contact who can point you in the right direction.
First port of call should be the careers leader in your school. Their initial response might be 'we don't do work experience', but perservere and they should support you to find your own placement. Mention to them that you doing work experience will help the school meet Gatsby benchmark 6 and Ofsted look at these closely.
Have you considered what you want to do at TfL? It is a huge organisation with a diverse range of roles. Does your e mail make it clear what you are interested in (without being overly prescriptive) doing during work experience? Some young people will look for office based placements whilst others might want more hands on practical placements.
Have you also considered what you hope to acheive / gain from doing work experience?
The London Transport Museum is always looking for volunteers. I recently took part in a focus group with them and know they are keen to engage with younger and under represented audiences.
E mails to the head office will often be ignored as the person reading them doesn't know who to forward it to and it gets deleted. Have a look at this website. It is aimed at teaching staff but gives you a flavour of what TfL offers for students and might yield a contact who can point you in the right direction.
Azure_wolf32
Member
I've been looking in to trying to organise work experience for myself for the week beginning 30th June.
I really want a placement on the railway, but I've been struggling to find a way to even ask at companies.
Does anyone know of where and how I could ask for a placement? I've heard that you should contact station managers about this, but I'm not sure how I would.
My local station is Barnstaple, but I already asked in the ticket office, and they said they didn't do it there. Other stations I could do would be Exeter St Davids/ Central or any London station, preferably (but not limited to) ones easily accessible via the Windrush/East London line, as I have relatives there.
If anyone could provide any useful advice or even get me a placement, I would greatly appreciate it.
I really want a placement on the railway, but I've been struggling to find a way to even ask at companies.
Does anyone know of where and how I could ask for a placement? I've heard that you should contact station managers about this, but I'm not sure how I would.
My local station is Barnstaple, but I already asked in the ticket office, and they said they didn't do it there. Other stations I could do would be Exeter St Davids/ Central or any London station, preferably (but not limited to) ones easily accessible via the Windrush/East London line, as I have relatives there.
If anyone could provide any useful advice or even get me a placement, I would greatly appreciate it.
Hi @Azure_wolf32 This was asked relatively recently: https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...nce-on-the-railway-general-discussion.276141/ - you might find some useful info there. Please don't be despondent about some of the replies, there will be ways to do work experience, but it's often the case that finding the correct person in a large organisation might take a bit of effort!
tl;dr: try emailing / phoning the recruitment team of your local TOC (presumably GWR) and see if they have someone who can help organise work experience. Feel free to come back with any questions you have!
This was asked relatively recently: https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...nce-on-the-railway-general-discussion.276141/ - you might find some useful info there. Please don't be despondent about some of the replies, there will be ways to do work experience, but it's often the case that finding the correct person in a large organisation might take a bit of effort!tl;dr: try emailing / phoning the recruitment team of your local TOC (presumably GWR) and see if they have someone who can help organise work experience. Feel free to come back with any questions you have!
ANDREW_D_WEBB
Member
This arrived in my inbox today. Cannot vouch for quality or safety of this placement, so the young person and parent / carer should be checking this themselves.
Azure_wolf32
Member
Will definitely check this out, I tried with GWR but I got sent from place to place to eventually be told no which was a little disappointing but understandable. I will definitely have a look into the opportunity above but does anyone have any idea about any other potential placements with any TOCs?
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
Anything station based, in depot or on board would be ideal, I can do anything accessible by rail in London or from Barnstaple/exeter if it turns out there is something. Any help would be really appreciated
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
Anything station based, in depot or on board would be ideal, I can do anything accessible by rail in London or from Barnstaple/exeter if it turns out there is something. Any help would be really appreciated
Last edited:
Thank you for the link. Unfortunately I don’t know anyone working in the field. Once again, thank youEveryone I've seen do work experience has known someone that works within TfL already and they have asked locally. Do you know any staff who could ask their managers?
It is strange being handed my paperwork by a 15 or 16 year old behind the desk.
Edit: presumably you've had a look here? Not sure if it's what you're looking for.
Class15
Established Member
Hi, similar situation to many on here. Finished Year 11. Does anyone know if DRS (Willesden) or London Overground (also Willesden) do any work experience?
DistantAR3
Member
I'm a year 10 (11 in september) and live very close to (1 minute walk) from a signal box on the Grantham - Skegness line, which to my knowledge is completely signalled from boxes.
The one I live by is in a small village, so the box itself is small too. I have played online signalling simulators for over a year now, and have a good idea of how signal boxes function (absolute block is the method of working at this box). A parent suggested that I write to network rail and ask for work experience there, but I don't know how I'd do it. Does anyone have any advice on how I could?
The one I live by is in a small village, so the box itself is small too. I have played online signalling simulators for over a year now, and have a good idea of how signal boxes function (absolute block is the method of working at this box). A parent suggested that I write to network rail and ask for work experience there, but I don't know how I'd do it. Does anyone have any advice on how I could?
MerlinRail 804
Member
I recently tried to apply for work experience at Chiltern, by sending an email to learning@chilternrailways.co.uk, as it says on the website. (I just tried to go onto the page again but it’s giving me an access denied error - does this mean they’re stopping the whole thing?)
The page says it should take around two weeks to receive a reply, and I sent the email nearly a month ago and have not yet had any response. Does anyone please know anything else I should try?
Thanks
The page says it should take around two weeks to receive a reply, and I sent the email nearly a month ago and have not yet had any response. Does anyone please know anything else I should try?
Thanks
Instinct04
On Moderation
I’ve emailed them for work experience too, only about a month ago. I guess they have stopped running the programme. Like you, when I try to access the page it says access denied.