Railway signaller

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

• a college course
• an apprenticeship
• applying directly

Entry requirements:

College

You could take a college course, which would teach you some of the skills and knowledge you'll need in this job, for example the Level 2 Certificate in Rail Engineering.

Some colleges organise work placements with rail engineering companies as part of the course, so speak with them to get more details.

Entry requirements:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course

Apprenticeship

You could do a:

• Rail Engineering Operative Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship
• Rail Infrastructure Operator Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
• Rail Engineering Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship

Entry requirements:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

DirectApplication

You can apply directly to become a railway signaller with Network Rail , who operate the rail system. You'll need a good general standard of education, including English and maths GCSEs.

You do not need any specific experience to become a railway signaller. However, it might be useful to have worked in a role:

• that is safety critical
• where you need to concentrate
• that involves communicating with others

Assessment and interview

You'll go through initial checks before being invited to an assessment day and interview.

Non-technical skills are important in railway signalling jobs. During the assessment day, you'll be tested on safety awareness, staying calm under pressure and working with large amounts of information.

You can find out more about the Network Rail recruitment process to become a signaller.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• knowledge of transport methods, costs and benefits
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to operate and control equipment
• the ability to work well with others
• to be flexible and open to change
• physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
• knowledge of public safety and security
• thinking and reasoning skills
• excellent verbal communication skills
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• customer service skills
• the ability to use, repair and maintain machines and tools
• observation and recording skills
• concentration skills
• the ability to monitor your own performance and that of your colleagues
• the ability to work well with your hands
• knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses
• the ability to read English
• active listening skills

What you'll do:

Railway signallers operate the signals and points on rail tracks to keep trains running safely and on time.

As a railway signaller, you could:

• check incident reports at the start of your shift
• monitor train movements on computer systems
• operate controls in a manual signal box or electronic control centre
• speak to drivers for updates, contact maintenance teams to report signal problems and write incident reports
• do training for track regulations and new technology

Location : You could work in a control room.

Salary:

Starter : £29,000
Experienced : £55,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

42 - 46 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

Career Path:

With experience you could:

• become a signalling supervisor or control room manager
• take further training to work as a signalling designer
• apply for jobs in other parts of the rail system through Network Rail's internal promotion programme