In operations, every day is different. When you join us, you’ll play a vital role in making real-time decisions that help keep services running safely, smoothly and efficiently.
Before you apply, we want to make sure you have the information you need. Whether you have questions about eligibility, the recruitment process, the application journey or health requirements, our FAQs are here to help.
Because these are safety-critical roles, it’s important that you understand what’s involved before starting your application. Please take some time to read the FAQs and the information on this website before you begin your application.
You will be given the option of doing practice questions before undertaking each test. You can visit our testing partner Aon’s website for further advice and guidance.
This is a safety critical role with a significant training component. We need to be able to verify the identity of the test taker. If we cannot do this, we will not be able to consider your application.
Reasonable use of AI is allowed to help you respond to certain parts of the assessment process. Do not use AI to help you with any online testing component as this could undermine the integrity of your performance. We want to get to know you and understand your ability to perform in the role and therefore a true representation your current skills and abilities is required.
The assessments are designed to be accessible. If you would like to request reasonable adjustments during the application process please contact the recruitment team through your account area once you have begun your application.
Review the role information carefully to understand the responsibilities and requirements of each grade before applying. You can only apply for one role, but your assessment results may be considered for other suitable vacancies for up to six months.
Age; You need to be 18 or over to apply for all our Operations roles. There is no upper age limit.
Right to work; These roles are not eligible for skilled worker visa sponsorship.
Location; You must already live within the required travel time of the location your are applying for. This is typically 50 to 60 minutes. Applications based on future relcation cannot be considered.
Qualifications; To apply for one of our Apprenticeship roles, you’ll need to have at least GCSE English and Maths at grades 4-9 (A*-C) (or equivalent qualification). No previous work experience is required however transferable skills and experiences will aid you during your apprenticeship. This role could be ideal for someone who is just leaving education and wants a future career in railway operations or for someone who is looking to transition to a new career.
Your eligibility will be checked as part of our onboarding process which consists of right-to-work verification, DBS screening, employment references, medical assessment, drugs and alcohol testing and pre-employment checks.
As this is a safety-critical role, you’ll need to pass a pre-employment medical assessment, drugs and alcohol screening, and any other required checks. Before applying please check these FAQs thoroughly and all relevant areas of the website about the role you are interested in before beginning your application as there are pre-excluding conditions we cannot accommodate in these roles.
The information above is a guide and every candidate is assessed individually. These risks are assessed in line with industry guidance, including the RSSB standard on managing sudden incapacity in safety-critical roles.
You’ll need to meet the required hearing, eyesight (including colour vision), and fitness standards for the role, and be able to work safely, including lone working at some locations.
For hearing; you’ll need to be able to understand and hear normal conversations, use the telephone and hear alarms above background workplace noise. You must not have any condition that could cause sudden or unpredictable hearing loss.
For eyesight; your colour vision must be recorded as normal. The minimum visual-acuity standard is 6/12 in the better eye and 6/36 in the other eye. You must also have full visual fields in both eyes and no eye condition likely to cause a deterioration in vision. If you wear contact lenses, you must carry prescription glasses as a backup on duty.
For speech; any speech impediment will be assessed to confirm you can communicate clearly and work safely in time-critical and safety-critical situations.
The information above is a guide and every candidate is assessed individually. These risks are assessed in line with industry guidance, including the RSSB standard on managing sudden incapacity in safety-critical roles.
If your application is successful, you will be required to undergo and pass a drugs and alcohol test. All positive drugs and alcohol test results for prospective candidates will be securely held on Sentinel database and a 5 year suspension from applying for a safety critical role, a role which requires PTS certification or a Key Safety role on Network Rail Managed Infrastructure will be enforced.
You will need to follow our alcohol and drugs policies throughout your employment.
Due to working time regulations and fatigue standards, you will need to currently live within a specified travel time of the signalling location you are applying for. This is typically 50 to 60 minutes.
Applications based on relocation won’t be considered.
Please note, some locations will also require you to have access to your own vehicle due to limited public transportation options.
The railway operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You’ll need to be comfortable working shifts, including evenings, nights, weekends and bank holidays.
Signaller roles involve shift work, including evenings, nights, weekends and bank holidays. Shift patterns vary by location. There are no options for part-time or flexible working as shift patterns are fixed. As the Signalling role must must be carried out on site, this cannot be done remotely or on a hybrid basis.
Some Crossing Keeper roles involve lone working at individual crossings, while others are based within a Signalling Centre or Rail Operating Centre as part of a wider operational team. The specific working arrangements for each role will be detailed in specific job adverts
Fatigue can affect performance and safety. We manage working hours, shift patterns and rest periods in line with working-time and organisational fatigue standards.
You are responsible for arriving well rested and for living within the travel time required for your location.
Some signalling locations will involve lone working. This depends on the location and its operating arrangements.
Every operations role includes structured training to help you build the knowledge, confidence and practical skills you need to work safely and effectively.
The training journey varies by role. Depending on the job, this may include classroom learning, practical exercises, assessments and supervised on-the-job development. You’ll be supported throughout, with clear milestones as you build your knowledge and experience.
Explore the ‘training’ page on this website to understand what training looks like for each role.
As a Signaller your role will require a significant training commitment, including 13 weeks of initial signaller training (IST) to learn the rules, regulations and core principles of signalling.
11 weeks of initial signaller training is residential. You’ll need to stay away from home Monday to Friday and successfully complete the training. This will involve a significant amount of self-study, and you will be expected to pass exams to continue the training course.
Following the classroom-based training, you’ll then continue training in role at your allocated signalling location until you’re assessed as competent to work independently. For some higher graded signalling roles, it may take you up to 18 months to be fully competent.
You understand that you must pass Initial Signaller Training to continue in the role. If you do not pass, your employment may be ended.
The role can involve maintaining concentration, managing unexpected incidents and emergencies on the railway and learning a significant amount of operational information. Training and ongoing support will help you develop the skills you need but you will need to be prepared to continuosly invest in your own development as a Signaller beyond your initial training to ensure you are and remain safe to operate.
You’ll play an important part in helping the network run smoothly. It is a safety-critical role, which means you’ll make decisions that help keep passengers, colleagues and the public safe.
Successful Signallers are safety-focused, calm under pressure, strong communicators, able to concentrate for long periods, comfortable following rules and procedures, and confident making decisions.
No. Many successful Signallers join from other industries and bring transferable skills such as communication, concentration, decision-making, problem-solving and working under pressure.
Yes. Signalling offers a range of development opportunities as you build your skills and experience should you wish to do this. Some people are happy staying in their roles for the majority of their careers but there are opportunities to grow your career into higher graded signalling roles and management positions should you wish. In any case, this is a career that doesn’t stand still. You should except to commit to a career that involves training and development as a Signaller.
We’re big on giving you the rewards and opportunities that matter and big on creating a culture that puts people first. It’s an exciting time at Network Rail. We’re full speed ahead with ambitious plans to transform the railway. So you’ll get lots of chances to develop, progress, and move forward with us.
Our route businesses are part of our corporate structure. They’re not necessarily the same as the routes passengers will recognise from their journeys and often look quite different from them. More broadly, our regions encompass multiple routes and transport hubs to better align operations with passengers’ and communities’ needs.
