A career as a signaller

[Harby2506]

Anyone know what hotels used for those doing signalling training in York?

 

[Open_G]

Anyone know what hotels used for those doing signalling training in York?

Radisson
Hampton by Hilton
Holiday Inn
Elm Bank
plus loads more.

Holiday inn is a bit of a schlep as it’s out near the racecourse..

 

[CoachB]

Just seeking some clarity.... I have a role for a G2 Trainee. My box/role has not been confirmed yet and I will need to apply for roles whilst I'm in IST. Can I apply for any roles from Grade 2-9 or will I be expected to apply for a box related to the training I've had. If you were to say get a role in a control centre or similar would you then need to undertake further training or would this all be on the job training.

The main question is what area have you been hired for?

As being a grade 2 trainee you should only be applying for vacancies within the area that has hired you. Applying for roles outside of your area is frowned upon and technically against the terms of your employment under the trainee signaller role.

However these are discussions that you should have with your LOM to find out their view and position on it as at the end of the day they are paying for your training out of their budget expecting you to stay in their area.

 

[Kristofire93]

Hi everyone! Been lurking around on here for the past week. Soaking up bits of knowledge from here and googling like crazy all about being a signaller (lots of info) but really good fun learning it!

I’ve applied. Gone through the early basic assessments and did my recorded video interview today!

Felt rude lurking and not dropping in to say thank you for the forum and the posts!

Chris

 

[Corviee]

Morning Corviee,

York is huge (great to see) and some really good WDS's. You'll get 2 weeks prior to do some pre IST e-learning. You can brush up on the phonetic alphabet. During the course, take as many notes as possible, flash cards, tabs for rule books and get in as much sim time as you can. I found it key, to working with others on the course and testing each other at every opportunity.

Thank you, that's really reassuring to hear! I've struggled a bit with taking notes back in Uni so I'll look up some different methods to help ^•^

That's also a great idea, I'm more than happy to work with everyone and test eachother whenever, hopefully we can all manage to get through the training!

 

[cxlla]

The main question is what area have you been hired for?

As being a grade 2 trainee you should only be applying for vacancies within the area that has hired you. Applying for roles outside of your area is frowned upon and technically against the terms of your employment under the trainee signaller role.

However these are discussions that you should have with your LOM to find out their view and position on it as at the end of the day they are paying for your training out of their budget expecting you to stay in their area.

The area I have been hired in has multiple AB signalling boxes. Grade 2 & 3. As well as a signalling control centre. I will discuss with LOM. If they advise to start in AB before transferring to computer style signalling I will do so thanks

Hi Cxlla,

Very similar to my timeline so far.
Medical passed mid March.

How soon after medical did they inform you of the start date? Knowing if it's a few weeks or months to wait gives time to plan & prepare.

Not only excited to start but wanted to book holidays for summer etc.

Guess it'll be a few months wait then...more time to read up on Bell codes & when a train can pass a signal at danger lol

I haven't had my medical yet. It is next week. But I received my start date (if all okay) on the day that I was offered the job.

 

[tiptoptaff]

What's the average wait time to hear back after the assessment interview?

They said a week, but we know that's ambitious. It's not even been a full working day, but I'm already constantly refreshing my emails

 

[Brian0516]

Morning, new here
Just apply the G5 signaller in Bristol on last Saturday and done all online assessment and interview.

Had been a train driver in other country but English is not first language

Will it be hard on training material?
What is the shift pattern for G5 in Bristol? And easy to work for G5?

As still no car but may need to call Uber in some point depending on shift.

Thanks in advance

 

[tiptoptaff]

Morning, new here
Just apply the G5 signaller in Bristol on last Saturday and done all online assessment and interview.

Had been a train driver in other country but English is not first language

Will it be hard on training material?
What is the shift pattern for G5 in Bristol? And easy to work for G5?

As still no car but may need to call Uber in some point depending on shift.

Thanks in advance

If English isn't your first language, you may find it more difficult than others due to the language barrier but it's by no means impossible.

Clear communication is vital, so you'll need to be able to demonstrate you can communicate clearly and concisely in English.

Needing to Uber for shifts may go against you, as you need to be able to reliably get yourself to work

 

[Fennel]

Radisson
Hampton by Hilton
Holiday Inn
Elm Bank
plus loads more.

Holiday inn is a bit of a schlep as it’s out near the racecourse..

sorry to jump in, i applied for one in worcester. any idea about the nearest or most likely IST location?

 

[Brian0516]

If English isn't your first language, you may find it more difficult than others due to the language barrier but it's by no means impossible.

Clear communication is vital, so you'll need to be able to demonstrate you can communicate clearly and concisely in English.

Needing to Uber for shifts may go against you, as you need to be able to reliably get yourself to work

Thank you for your advice, if 8 hours shift, the earliest shift start from 8pm is also fine with me as I can take bus. Lol

I just worried about the language but is fine with me. I just thinking the worst case only lool

Thank you for your advice, if 8 hours shift, the earliest shift start from 8pm is also fine with me as I can take bus. Lol

I just worried about the language but is fine with me. I just thinking the worst case only lool

Is 8am.. typing error

 

[Brett55]

Thank you for your advice, if 8 hours shift, the earliest shift start from 8pm is also fine with me as I can take bus. Lol

I just worried about the language but is fine with me. I just thinking the worst case only lool


Is 8am.. typing error

Hi Brian0516,

Not sure what shift pattern Bristol is. The boxes I've worked in are 10 or 12 hours shift patterns starting from 5am.

 

[Brian0516]

Hi Brian0516,

Not sure what shift pattern Bristol is. The boxes I've worked in are 10 or 12 hours shift patterns starting from 5am.

Hi Brett
Thanks mate

 

[C70]

As still no car but may need to call Uber in some point depending on shift.

Thanks in advance

Uber will not be an issue. The important thing is that you have considered how you will get to work at various times of the day and have come up with with a plan. I use Uber from time-to-time to get to work as I don’t have a car. I mentioned it at interview and it was fine. Best of luck!

 

[Brian0516]

Uber will not be an issue. The important thing is that you have considered how you will get to work at various times of the day and have come up with with a plan. I use Uber from time-to-time to get to work as I don’t have a car. I mentioned it at interview and it was fine. Best of luck!

Hi C70
Thank you for your comment, I have also considered after doing the video assessment.

It depends the shift and should have the way to sorted.

 

[UPhi]

Hi Everyone,

Finally got a start date and can't wait.
Let the revision begin!

Anyone else up at Yorkshire IST in May?

 

[Dazza75]

Congratulations UPhi! When you say IST in May, do you mean a start date of 28th April or is there another course in York that is starting a month later?

There are a few of us on here who are starting on 28th April.

 

[Iddybiddy05]

Hi Brett
Thanks mate

12hrs at Bristol panel, am ability to get yourself to work is an essential job requirement. A taxi isn’t your own ability as they can’t be relied on, especially in Bristol.

 

[UPhi]

Congratulations UPhi! When you say IST in May, do you mean a start date of 28th April or is there another course in York that is starting a month later?

There are a few of us on here who are starting on 28th April.

Yeah the 28th April is the one.

You up there?

 

[Ferretrugby]

Hi Everybody,

I start my two weeks pre course learning on the 14th April then IST course in Perth two weeks later.

Is the initial pre course learning done in the office or at home?

In terms of traveling to Perth I am from Ayrshire, is parking etc included at the accommodation or is it better to get the train up day before everything starts?

Thanks

 

[ZackCulross]

Hi Everybody,

I start my two weeks pre course learning on the 14th April then IST course in Perth two weeks later.

Is the initial pre course learning done in the office or at home?

In terms of traveling to Perth I am from Ayrshire, is parking etc included at the accommodation or is it better to get the train up day before everything starts?

Thanks

2 Weeks at home, have they stated you have to drive as they usually give you train tickets to accommodation and to get to training centre.

 

[Ferretrugby]

2 Weeks at home, have they stated you have to drive as they usually give you train tickets to accommodation and to get to training centre.

Ok thanks.

No they haven't mentioned anything was planning ahead that was all.

Do you know if the Sunday (27th) before I start IST on Monday 28th is a travel day or is it all done on the Monday?

 

[Buiadh]

Pre-learning depends on who's taking it, you may be in the training centre for a few days. You'll be advised of that in time.

They probably won't reimburse mileage so you're better to take the train.

You'll want to travel on the Sunday night.

 

[tiptoptaff]

Do you get paid for travel on the Sunday to IST?

 

[MikeOff]

Do you get paid for travel on the Sunday to IST?

Yes you should. For us it was set number of hours regardless of travel time.

 

[tiptoptaff]

Yes you should. For us it was set number of hours regardless of travel time.

Thanks, I guessed you would do, but never like to assume!

 

[Ferretrugby]

Pre-learning depends on who's taking it, you may be in the training centre for a few days. You'll be advised of that in time.

They probably won't reimburse mileage so you're better to take the train.

You'll want to travel on the Sunday night.

Ok thanks

 

[The Difference]

Ok thanks.

No they haven't mentioned anything was planning ahead that was all.

Do you know if the Sunday (27th) before I start IST on Monday 28th is a travel day or is it all done on the Monday?

I would imagine your 2 weeks learning will start with Day 1 at Perth with Alison (who is lovely) you get set up on the laptop etc with log in details and go over some basics, then you’ll work from home on e-learning. We did this and I’ve just completed week 10 IST at Shettleston. We did get to go and visit a few signal boxes and level crossings over our 2 weeks, but it was predominantly from home. I think we had 3 days in office and the rest from home.

As for travel, as mentioned above you travel through the Sunday and get paid travel time for doing so. You just email that in every week. Some have mentioned being paid a set time, I have been paid my exact travel time for each week.

Good luck when it comes.

 

[Ferretrugby]

I would imagine your 2 weeks learning will start with Day 1 at Perth with Alison (who is lovely) you get set up on the laptop etc with log in details and go over some basics, then you’ll work from home on e-learning. We did this and I’ve just completed week 10 IST at Shettleston. We did get to go and visit a few signal boxes and level crossings over our 2 weeks, but it was predominantly from home. I think we had 3 days in office and the rest from home.

As for travel, as mentioned above you travel through the Sunday and get paid travel time for doing so. You just email that in every week. Some have mentioned being paid a set time, I have been paid my exact travel time for each week.

Good luck when it comes.

Ok that great thanks

 

[tiptoptaff]

Heard back today- unsuccessful after interview.

Gutted, to say the least. Thought I'd done well and put myself across well, but it would appear not.