How can I get into the rail industry?
Discussion
Hiya, I'm 17 and currently wanting to get to work in the rail industry after seeing the wages older friends are getting; one of them is a trackman and he's on a grand a week. Can anyone tell me how a can get a sponsor for a PTS card (Essex/East London) area? What companies could I get into that work on behalf of Network Rail? Also, does anyone know how I could get into signalling too?
Thanks guys xD
Thanks guys xD
Not sure if you have linked in or not but this guy
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marklambata/
Mark Lamb is now the head of the rail infrastructure division for ATA (I was their IT Manager for 7 years and worked with Mark)
He might not be able to help you directly but ATA also own a rail recruitment company called Ganymede who always used to offer PTS sponsorship and for sure he'll know who to speak to there (The directors who I knew have all moved on in the decade since I left)
If you get no joy there pop a post back up here, I have a local SouthWest friend who runs trackside operations for Network Rail, I can ask him for advice if needed.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/marklambata/
Mark Lamb is now the head of the rail infrastructure division for ATA (I was their IT Manager for 7 years and worked with Mark)
He might not be able to help you directly but ATA also own a rail recruitment company called Ganymede who always used to offer PTS sponsorship and for sure he'll know who to speak to there (The directors who I knew have all moved on in the decade since I left)
If you get no joy there pop a post back up here, I have a local SouthWest friend who runs trackside operations for Network Rail, I can ask him for advice if needed.
My daughter in laws father is a trackman down here in the South West for Network Rail.
Tough job, he is up and out the door at 4am in the morning, walks up to 15 miles a day along tracks, carrying all kinds of tools and stuff, in all weathers.
In the summer, its baking hot, and you still have to wear all of the heavy PPE equipment, sweating your tits off, and in the winter in lashing rain and freezing cold, he says it's as miserable as hell.
He does earn good money though, but now at the age of 46, his knees are f
ked, has arthritis in his wrists, seems to always have a cold or cough and his hands are like raw rib eye steaks to look at.
He has also seen some not so pretty sights, suicides on the track, body parts everywhere, not to mention the odd bit of wildlife like deer that is no longer recognisable as anything other than a mess on the track or embedded on the front of a train.
I would say at you age, go for it, earn the money, but do not bank on doing it or wanting to do it for any more than 10 years.
Tough job, he is up and out the door at 4am in the morning, walks up to 15 miles a day along tracks, carrying all kinds of tools and stuff, in all weathers.
In the summer, its baking hot, and you still have to wear all of the heavy PPE equipment, sweating your tits off, and in the winter in lashing rain and freezing cold, he says it's as miserable as hell.
He does earn good money though, but now at the age of 46, his knees are f
ked, has arthritis in his wrists, seems to always have a cold or cough and his hands are like raw rib eye steaks to look at.He has also seen some not so pretty sights, suicides on the track, body parts everywhere, not to mention the odd bit of wildlife like deer that is no longer recognisable as anything other than a mess on the track or embedded on the front of a train.
I would say at you age, go for it, earn the money, but do not bank on doing it or wanting to do it for any more than 10 years.
My step-brother works for network rail and appears to be doing very well for himself, started as an apprentice and has been put onto supervisory courses etc. He works a lot but i suppose its because the rewards are there?
In the area you are talking about (essex/london), i'd be looking at bombardier as they use a college in basildon for their apprentices. network rail apprenticeship is a very good way in, less so if you enter as a dogs body.
other ways in would be looking at the different companies that offer services the railway networks.... off the top of my head that'd be companies like DB schenker, thales, hitachi rail.
In the area you are talking about (essex/london), i'd be looking at bombardier as they use a college in basildon for their apprentices. network rail apprenticeship is a very good way in, less so if you enter as a dogs body.
other ways in would be looking at the different companies that offer services the railway networks.... off the top of my head that'd be companies like DB schenker, thales, hitachi rail.
As stated before, trackside is good pay but the working hours and weather isn't worth the extra.
I work in a depot maintaining the units, so often see the ttackmen and how miserable they look through the window of my warm shed.
At 17 your ideal for apprenticeship, transport for London are always crying out.
It always amazes me what the apprentices earn, I think a 3rd year is on 22k or so. My apprenticeship wasn't that long ago, albeit a different sector and my 4th hear was 12k tops I think.
Rolling stock will always be there so I highly recommend it, I've not been in it long but after leaving the army (alot of ex forces in rail) it was a welcome easy life.
Get on linked in and connect with as many people as you can, be it TFL, Siemens, bombardiar etc
Just don't be fixated on the made up 1k a week your mates said, most rolling stock tech jobs are 42k in London and 38k ish outside. And then normal all the overtime you could wise for..
I've been paid to get wet and miserable before, it's not worth it !
I work in a depot maintaining the units, so often see the ttackmen and how miserable they look through the window of my warm shed.
At 17 your ideal for apprenticeship, transport for London are always crying out.
It always amazes me what the apprentices earn, I think a 3rd year is on 22k or so. My apprenticeship wasn't that long ago, albeit a different sector and my 4th hear was 12k tops I think.
Rolling stock will always be there so I highly recommend it, I've not been in it long but after leaving the army (alot of ex forces in rail) it was a welcome easy life.
Get on linked in and connect with as many people as you can, be it TFL, Siemens, bombardiar etc
Just don't be fixated on the made up 1k a week your mates said, most rolling stock tech jobs are 42k in London and 38k ish outside. And then normal all the overtime you could wise for..
I've been paid to get wet and miserable before, it's not worth it !
If you can get on Network Rails apprentice scheme, Ive heard from colleagues who've done it thats its a pretty good scheme.
Ive worked on the railways 17 years, firstly for Jarvis Rail and now Network Rail.
The Signalling & Telecoms department is the one to get on if you can, theres a real shortage of talented signalling engineers at the minute. If you're willing to put the overtime in and don't mind the unsociable hours then some pretty good money can be earnt. My basic is 40k but with overtime and shift enhancements I'm on course to break 60k by April.
Pension is good (final salary) and if you show a bit of aptitude and willingness the company will fund a University course for you. Im currently doing a BEng in Railway Engineering all funded by the company.
It can be hard work, both physically and mentally demanding in a very dangerous environment but the rewards are worth it.
Good luck
Ive worked on the railways 17 years, firstly for Jarvis Rail and now Network Rail.
The Signalling & Telecoms department is the one to get on if you can, theres a real shortage of talented signalling engineers at the minute. If you're willing to put the overtime in and don't mind the unsociable hours then some pretty good money can be earnt. My basic is 40k but with overtime and shift enhancements I'm on course to break 60k by April.
Pension is good (final salary) and if you show a bit of aptitude and willingness the company will fund a University course for you. Im currently doing a BEng in Railway Engineering all funded by the company.
It can be hard work, both physically and mentally demanding in a very dangerous environment but the rewards are worth it.
Good luck
SnapShot said:
If you can get on Network Rails apprentice scheme, Ive heard from colleagues who've done it thats its a pretty good scheme.
Ive worked on the railways 17 years, firstly for Jarvis Rail and now Network Rail.
The Signalling & Telecoms department is the one to get on if you can, theres a real shortage of talented signalling engineers at the minute. If you're willing to put the overtime in and don't mind the unsociable hours then some pretty good money can be earnt. My basic is 40k but with overtime and shift enhancements I'm on course to break 60k by April.
Pension is good (final salary) and if you show a bit of aptitude and willingness the company will fund a University course for you. Im currently doing a BEng in Railway Engineering all funded by the company.
It can be hard work, both physically and mentally demanding in a very dangerous environment but the rewards are worth it.
Good luck
Thank you! you all have been extremely helpful! xDIve worked on the railways 17 years, firstly for Jarvis Rail and now Network Rail.
The Signalling & Telecoms department is the one to get on if you can, theres a real shortage of talented signalling engineers at the minute. If you're willing to put the overtime in and don't mind the unsociable hours then some pretty good money can be earnt. My basic is 40k but with overtime and shift enhancements I'm on course to break 60k by April.
Pension is good (final salary) and if you show a bit of aptitude and willingness the company will fund a University course for you. Im currently doing a BEng in Railway Engineering all funded by the company.
It can be hard work, both physically and mentally demanding in a very dangerous environment but the rewards are worth it.
Good luck
You might want to try some of the suppliers as a start, I worked briefly for Schaltbau in MK, built air con units for trains, but also you could work into doors, electrics etc. Siemens, apprenticeships etc. All good ways in without actually working for Network Rail or a train company. Where unions are very prevalent and you might find yourself having to strike or get involved in stuff you don't want to get involved in.
Grubby horrible work to be honest but if you like it fair enough. Always going to be a job if you can start out early enough
Grubby horrible work to be honest but if you like it fair enough. Always going to be a job if you can start out early enough
Gassing Station | Jobs & Employment Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff