A career as a signaller

[Bexifer]

Anyone else going to the Warm Welcome in Newcastle on 7th May?

 

[Dragon88]

Looking at applying for a G3 signaller post at a ROC. Can anyone advise on what shift patterns are like as well as work life balance and the typical salary take home after overtime etc. Thanks in advance.

 

[godfreycomplex]

Looking at applying for a G3 signaller post at a ROC. Can anyone advise on what shift patterns are like as well as work life balance and the typical salary take home after overtime etc. Thanks in advance.

Depends where you are. Each location has a locally agreed roster and even ROCs will have several. Basically falls into two camps however, 8 hour and 12 hour.

8 hour you work roughly 8 hours a day most days of the week (and therefore don’t have much work life balance, if any) and 12 is 12 hours a day 3/4 days a week (which allows more days off and therefore more balance). It’ll depend on where the job is as to which they are.

With extra pay for Sundays take home is about 2600 per 4 week period. Overtime is available but it’s unwise to count on it

 

[Dazza75]

Good evening mate, I'm going up there as well as a few others that I know of I think.

 

[trainmaster00]

Good evening mate, I'm going up there as well as a few others that I know of I think.

So when do you think they Te gonna call us

The choice to accept or refuse the offer is up to the individuals. That said, I've had colleagues say to me they were happy to accept the first offer made (2.6%). Feedback to the TU representatives are always welcome.

You may apply for any grade of job that is advertised. However, if you are successful and then go to the Initial Signaller Training (IST) course, you are paid Grade two during the training irrespective of the actual grade for the location you applied for.

Anyone else going to the Warm Welcome in Newcastle on 7th May?

Whats that?

 

[Dragon88]

Depends where you are. Each location has a locally agreed roster and even ROCs will have several. Basically falls into two camps however, 8 hour and 12 hour.

8 hour you work roughly 8 hours a day most days of the week (and therefore don’t have much work life balance, if any) and 12 is 12 hours a day 3/4 days a week (which allows more days off and therefore more balance). It’ll depend on where the job is as to which they are.

With extra pay for Sundays take home is about 2600 per 4 week period. Overtime is available but it’s unwise to count on it

Thank you for this! Anyone know if the Rugby location is 8hr or 12hr shifts and what a typical months shift pattern looks like. And do all grades have the same patterns?

 

[bouff34]

Depends where you are. Each location has a locally agreed roster and even ROCs will have several. Basically falls into two camps however, 8 hour and 12 hour.

8 hour you work roughly 8 hours a day most days of the week (and therefore don’t have much work life balance, if any) and 12 is 12 hours a day 3/4 days a week (which allows more days off and therefore more balance). It’ll depend on where the job is as to which they are.

With extra pay for Sundays take home is about 2600 per 4 week period. Overtime is available but it’s unwise to count on it

That's a bit harsh against 8 hour shifts. Granted most that go on to 12 hr shifts don't want to go back but some still prefer 8's. The one advantage of 8 hr shifts is that on earlies or lates you still have a fair chunk of the day to get stuff done... and for that reason some of those on 8's refuse to even contemplate going over to 12 hour shifts. Personally, I'm on 8's, would prefer 12's but my work life balance is just fine.

 

[godfreycomplex]

That's a bit harsh against 8 hour shifts. Granted most that go on to 12 hr shifts don't want to go back but some still prefer 8's. The one advantage of 8 hr shifts is that on earlies or lates you still have a fair chunk of the day to get stuff done... and for that reason some of those on 8's refuse to even contemplate going over to 12 hour shifts. Personally, I'm on 8's, would prefer 12's but my work life balance is just fine.

Believe me, my anti 8s bias is based on bitter experience

 

[Falcon1200]

There is also a halfway house, which applied during part of my railway career; 12 hour shifts on Saturday and Sunday, giving more weekends off, 8 hour shifts during the week. This was in Control however, not sure whether any signalling locations operate such a system.

 

[Horizon22]

Believe me, my anti 8s bias is based on bitter experience

Each to their own though! Some people hate 12h shifts on principle due to time at work - especially with an hour commute either side - but it is balanced by less days at work. So I suppose it's the mantra of "if you're in, you're in" but there are still pros and cons of both and different people will have different preferences.

There is also a halfway house, which applied during part of my railway career; 12 hour shifts on Saturday and Sunday, giving more weekends off, 8 hour shifts during the week. This was in Control however, not sure whether any signalling locations operate such a system.

This is very common in control roles, and some signaller locations too.

 

[Harby2506]

Anyone else going to the Warm Welcome in Newcastle on 7th May?

Yes I've had the email for that too! Downloaded the apps and hopefully find out more about it tomorrow.

 

[muz379]

Each to their own though! Some people hate 12h shifts on principle due to time at work - especially with an hour commute either side - but it is balanced by less days at work. So I suppose it's the mantra of "if you're in, you're in" but there are still pros and cons of both and different people will have different preferences.

The only issue I personally have with 12's is for me one of the attractions of working shifts is to avoid traffic but with the most common iterations of 12's (6-18 & 18-6 or 7-19 &19-7) you get stuck in traffic at least one end of the day I feel like 19-7 is probably the worst I reckon i'd get stuck either end of that one .

But at least you are getting more days off and the opportunity to work more overtime if you are so inclined

 

[trainmaster00]

My start date is the end of April. For anyone going through the interview process the best way to think about it is that it’s just a conversation. Don’t get in your head too much about trying to hit markers, that’s where nerves will kick in and your mind will blank. All the information you need to answer questions about Network Rail are readily available on Google and in this thread (yes I did read the 667 pages that were here before my interview)

In relation to the competency based responses just view it like you’re telling the story of what you’ve achieved from start to finish, so what you did, how you did it and what the accomplishment was. That’s all the STAR technique is. In the interview only you know who you are and what you’ve achieved so telling your story in a way that flows, is factual and authentic will help. Just be you, that’s who the hiring manager is assessing.

How did you get to know about your start date

 

[Bexifer]

How did you get to know about your start date

Hiya, I was told my start date by HR when they called to let me know I’d been successful at interview

 

[trainmaster00]

Congrats on the job. Did it take long for you to get that call? i got a mail saying i passed all the assessment and have been placed into the candidate pool.once a position matches with me they will do arrangements to meet with the section manager and then process the offer.(Operator-signalling and telecoms-bristol or westbury)

 

[Buiadh]

Does the 50/60 minutes from your door to place of work apply to applying for jobs once you're already in as a signaller or is it just for new starts only?

 

[ZackCulross]

Does the 50/60 minutes from your door to place of work apply to applying for jobs once you're already in as a signaller or is it just for new starts only?

I believe it still stands if you are a Signaller due to the working hours and rest periods etc

Fatigue will be a factor for longer commutes and a 12 hour shift.

 

[Jordan4321]

I believe it still stands if you are a Signaller due to the working hours and rest periods etc

Fatigue will be a factor for longer commutes and a 12 hour shift.

Correct me if I’m wrong but the current once internal commute is 14.5 hours door to door atleast in signalling, so on a 12 hour shift that’s 75 minutes each way

 

[vinoboxer]

Has anyone got any examples of signal box rosters that are open weekends and 24 hours that could get in touch with me please? Cheers

 

[rosco_g]

Hi everyone, I have a bit of a niche request that I'm hoping someone might have experienced and be able to give me the right information.

I'm a current Network Rail employee (non-Signaller) and have been offered a Grade 8 position.

In my offer letter, it states "while training, you will be paid on the basis of either the basic rate of pay associated with your previous position, or your previous basic rate of pay and the new allowances, whichever is greater".

My current salary is just shy of the IST (Grade 2) salary so am I right in thinking that, according to the above, I would be paid my current salary during IST and the initial location training period (which all in could be the best part of a year)? - HR seem to be insinuating that this is the case.

On the other hand, if I was external, I would be paid the G2 rate during IST and then G4 during the training period (which is a good bit more than the salary of my current role!). It doesn't seem to make a lot of sense.

I've had a read through the training salaries agreement (August 2023) which depending on how you read it, could be taken as referring to existing Signallers or all internal employees so I'm just looking for a bit of advice from anyone that's maybe been in this situation or knows someone who has as to how this actually plays out?

 

[ZackCulross]

Hi everyone, I have a bit of a niche request that I'm hoping someone might have experienced and be able to give me the right information.

I'm a current Network Rail employee (non-Signaller) and have been offered a Grade 8 position.

In my offer letter, it states "while training, you will be paid on the basis of either the basic rate of pay associated with your previous position, or your previous basic rate of pay and the new allowances, whichever is greater".

My current salary is just shy of the IST (Grade 2) salary so am I right in thinking that, according to the above, I would be paid my current salary during IST and the initial location training period (which all in could be the best part of a year)? - HR seem to be insinuating that this is the case.

On the other hand, if I was external, I would be paid the G2 rate during IST and then G4 during the training period (which is a good bit more than the salary of my current role!). It doesn't seem to make a lot of sense.

I've had a read through the training salaries agreement (August 2023) which depending on how you read it, could be taken as referring to existing Signallers or all internal employees so I'm just looking for a bit of advice from anyone that's maybe been in this situation or knows someone who has as to how this actually plays out?

If G2 wage is higher than your current salary you should be paid the G2 wage then go upto G4 after training.

Where is your G8 offer for ?

 

[Mounty87]

Hi All

First time poster here.

I’ve spent the last 3/4 days reading through the majority of this thread, mainly the more recent posts.

I’ve recently applied for a G2 trainee position in Kent and I haven’t seen much mentioned about Kent. I just wondered if anybody has any feedback on this area?

I received an email yesterday to say I had been put through to the online interview stage. I’ve spent the majority of my working life on the roads where interviews aren’t usually needed so I’m a little rusty around this area. Does anybody have any advice on how this goes and what’s expected?

I understand I’ll be going up against a huge number of people applying for the same role with maybe less experience than me but are better suited to interviews etc so I’ll take anything help/advice that can be given.

TIA

 

[md81]

Hi All

First time poster here.

I’ve spent the last 3/4 days reading through the majority of this thread, mainly the more recent posts.

I’ve recently applied for a G2 trainee position in Kent and I haven’t seen much mentioned about Kent. I just wondered if anybody has any feedback on this area?

I received an email yesterday to say I had been put through to the online interview stage. I’ve spent the majority of my working life on the roads where interviews aren’t usually needed so I’m a little rusty around this area. Does anybody have any advice on how this goes and what’s expected?

I understand I’ll be going up against a huge number of people applying for the same role with maybe less experience than me but are better suited to interviews etc so I’ll take anything help/advice that can be given.

TIA

Hi there. I’m not in Kent but did the assessment recently. I’ve spent 20 years in a different line of work and not had a typical job interview in that time, its all been meetings and word of mouth. The job as I see it is fundamentally about safety so I worked out 10 or so examples of experiences I’ve had, different scales of problem, different solutions, different equipment used, in the STAR method on a pad of paper and once you see the question you’ve got a minute to work out an answer you would be happy to submit. It’s tricky but you can re-do it. You’re going to talk for a minute or two about a time when XYZ happened and you had to respond quickly under pressure. I had one about a guy who electrocuted himself, what I did, who I called, what danger we were in, sum it up and the kid was fine but had slightly curlier hair.

i wouldn’t think about who else is applying, you’ll go mad. If the assessor likes your answers you’ll move forward.

 

[martinn004]

Could you elaborate more on interview please, what sort of questions were asked and how long was it, was it panel or 1 to 1. Thanks

Hi Fennel, I got my Video assessment to do now. Could you somehow let me know what sort of qestion you have been asked? A appreciate your help. Thanks

 

[Mounty87]

Hi Fennel, I got my Video assessment to do now. Could you somehow let me know what sort of qestion you have been asked? A appreciate your help. Thanks

I’ve just completed mine and the 4 questions I got asked were

1. When did I have an idea and had to persuade people to follow
2. Name a skill I’ve recently worked on and how did I realise I needed to work on it
3. When did I help a colleague solve a complex problem
4. When did I work under pressure and how did I deal with it.

All questions it asked how I done all these things and the outcome from it

Hope this helps

 

[bouff34]

I’ve just completed mine and the 4 questions I got asked were

1. When did I have an idea and had to persuade people to follow
2. Name a skill I’ve recently worked on and how did I realise I needed to work on it
3. When did I help a colleague solve a complex problem
4. When did I work under pressure and how did I deal with it.

All questions it asked how I done all these things and the outcome from it

Hope this helps

How does this help anyone by posting the questions on here?

This is supposed to be a competitive process where the best candidates get through...not 'I'll look it up online and find the model answer...'

NWR recruitment are likely to be monitoring this forum and if they identify who you may be I would assume would take a dim view of this.


As a word of caution to those reading this answer - what are you going to do if these questions turn out to be different for you and you have only formulated or asked online for these answers... guess that's going to throw people and they'll deservedly flunk it.

Perhaps the answer to 3 could be: "I saw that people were struggling with this initial assessment phase so I posted the questions online to help them all..."!!!

Correct me if I’m wrong but the current once internal commute is 14.5 hours door to door atleast in signalling, so on a 12 hour shift that’s 75 minutes each way

The 21 questions that internal applicants have to complete (at least in Southern Region) refer to a 60 minute commute...

 

[Ducatist4]

The standard questions they ask are freely available from numerous sources. The interviewer will pick from a pool of questions so the next candidate may not get the same four.

 

[mjw374]

Hi first time post.

I passed my online assessments/video interview for G9 at Rugby and now awaiting an assessment centre date.

Just wondering if anyboody on here knew the likely timescale?

Cheers

 

[CoachB]

Does the 50/60 minutes from your door to place of work apply to applying for jobs once you're already in as a signaller or is it just for new starts only?

The rules apply to all signallers new and existing as it's part of NR's fatigue index so its non negotiable. If you're outside of the 50/60 minute window then you'll have to move to be within that window.

Correct me if I’m wrong but the current once internal commute is 14.5 hours door to door atleast in signalling, so on a 12 hour shift that’s 75 minutes each way

Also if you're on a 12 hour roster then there's a maximum 14 hours door to door that's part of the fatigue index

 

[crt4645]

Hi first time post.

I passed my online assessments/video interview for G9 at Rugby and now awaiting an assessment centre date.

Just wondering if anyboody on here knew the likely timescale?

Cheers

I don't know how long it can exactly take but I'm up to a month today from when the job advert closed for another position I applied for,