MistaMatthews
Member
Hi all, just wondering if I could get some opinions on the following:
About 4 months ago, I applied for a track operative job. Long story short but it was a "bait and switch" which actually turned out to be a college course for a railway engineering diploma. During the introduction it was mentioned that it is a 15 week course which at the end, includes a PTS course and Track induction. From there we will be given work by an agency called National Skills Solutions.
During the course, concerns have been mentioned and the organisation has been poor. It's coming towards the end of the course, I've been out of work since the start of the pandemic and I'm getting a bit nervous as things like the PTS have not even been booked yet. I'm just looking for someone more knowledgeable that may be able to weigh in on this:
1.) The course has been done via Zoom due to social distancing. So the majority has been theory and there are only two days of practicals which will be held at a heritage railway. Is the two days really enough to understand the basics? I don't want end up on a job and be a complete lemon.
2.) Would a PTS or track induction include some practicals?
3.) How much work is actually going in terms of basic track work? The agency are promising the world but having looked at NR's careers, there isn't much going in terms of vacancies. (I'm from the Gatwick area). Has anybody heard of or worked with this agency?
4.) What is a reasonable hourly rate for basic track work when working with an agency?
5.) Would this qualification give me any kind of advantage when applying to NR or is it experience that counts?
Any other relevant opinions / information on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your help!
About 4 months ago, I applied for a track operative job. Long story short but it was a "bait and switch" which actually turned out to be a college course for a railway engineering diploma. During the introduction it was mentioned that it is a 15 week course which at the end, includes a PTS course and Track induction. From there we will be given work by an agency called National Skills Solutions.
During the course, concerns have been mentioned and the organisation has been poor. It's coming towards the end of the course, I've been out of work since the start of the pandemic and I'm getting a bit nervous as things like the PTS have not even been booked yet. I'm just looking for someone more knowledgeable that may be able to weigh in on this:
1.) The course has been done via Zoom due to social distancing. So the majority has been theory and there are only two days of practicals which will be held at a heritage railway. Is the two days really enough to understand the basics? I don't want end up on a job and be a complete lemon.
2.) Would a PTS or track induction include some practicals?
3.) How much work is actually going in terms of basic track work? The agency are promising the world but having looked at NR's careers, there isn't much going in terms of vacancies. (I'm from the Gatwick area). Has anybody heard of or worked with this agency?
4.) What is a reasonable hourly rate for basic track work when working with an agency?
5.) Would this qualification give me any kind of advantage when applying to NR or is it experience that counts?
Any other relevant opinions / information on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your help!
