Signalling technician

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through and apprenticeship or by applying directly.

Entry requirements:

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

You could do a:

• Rail Engineering Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
• High Speed Rail and Infrastructure Technician Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship
• Rail Engineering Technician Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship

Apprenticeships are offered by rail and tram operating companies, Transport for London and Network Rail.

Entry requirements:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

DirectApplication

You might be able to apply directly to rail engineering companies if you've got experience and qualifications in electrical or electronic engineering from another industry, or from the armed forces.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Skills:

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

Signalling technicians identify problems and repair, test and maintain the equipment that moves trains safely.

As a signalling technician, you could:

• install new signalling systems
• carry out routine maintenance checks
• measure and record equipment test readings
• upgrade radio and electronic communications networks
• find and fix equipment faults on site, and repair complex faults in a workshop

Location : You could work on rail tracks, in a control room or in a workshop.
Environment : Your working environment may be noisy, outdoors some of the time and you'll travel often.
Uniform : You may need to wear protective clothing.

Salary:

Starter : £16,500
Experienced : £43,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

37 - 43 hours a week

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends / bank holidays on shifts

Career Path:

With experience, you could move from junior to senior technician jobs and become a team leader.

With more qualifications and experience you could become a signalling designer or incident investigator.