A new project worth some £5 million that aims to bring improvements to the railway line between Blackburn and Clitheroe has been announced.
Construction workers in the area may like to know that the work will see new track and sleepers be laid out so that the speed limit can be increased and the noise level can be cut down.
Currently, trains are limited to just 20 mph along some sections of the track, but once the work is completed, this will rise to 45 mph.
According to the Lancashire Telegraph, some 11,661 yards of track will be given a new lease of life, with concrete or steel sleepers being put down in place of the current ones.
Workers may like to know that a 24-hour continuous shift pattern will be used to ensure that work is completed within the given time.
"Ultimately we are aiming to develop our service and ensure that our performance in this area is improved," the newspaper claims route director at Network Rail Peter Strachan said.
In related news, Network Rail earlier this month announced that major infrastructure work on the west coast main line is closer to completion.
Wednesday 22 October 2008
Knutsfod Rail
Investment into Knutsford’s rail infrastructure would provide "tangible" results to residents in the Greater Manchester area, it has been claimed.
The Knutsford Guardian reports that up to £3 billion of improvements have been planned for the years leading up to 2013.
Should they go ahead, Lord Peter Smith - leader of the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities - asserts that 50 years of investment would be delivered within the space of the next five years.
"The public will be able to see tangible results happening by 2012," he comments.
Among the proposals are the introduction of new carriages and trains between Knutsford and Manchester, which could increase the number of rail jobs in the region.
Station improvements are also suggested, with summer 2013 set as the deadline for the upgrades to be completed.
In other news that may be of interest to those with rail jobs, HR Zone has noted the need for train drivers’ uniforms to differ from those of platform staff.
The publication adds that different rail franchises are likely to operate uniform policies which conform to varying rules.
Filed under: Rail | No Comments »
Construction gloom anticipated
Posted on September 19th, 2008 by admin
Experts in the construction sector have predicted that the current economic climate may bring a gloomy spell for the industry as a whole.
According to news provider Building.co.uk, speakers at the recent Future Forecasting conference suggested that market turmoil of recent times could have an effect on the sector until at least 2010.
But it wasn’t all doom and gloom. Stephen Stone, chief executive of Crest Nicholson, apparently said that the banks have been "very supportive" of the construction sector on the whole throughout the credit crunch.
"Past cycles have demonstrated that there is a way to trade through this," the news provider claims he said.
Indeed securing finance for new work could come from any number of institutions, even for bigger projects. Over a quarter of lenders on the market would give upwards of £50 million for new projects, the head of structured finance at Barclays, Nick Salisbury, reportedly suggested.
One new project that’s going to be getting started before the predicted 2010 end of the current downturn is a facelift at New Street station in Birmingham.
Filed under: Construction | No Comments »
Gas engineer shortage ‘results in 1,000 new jobs’
Posted on September 18th, 2008 by admin
British Gas is creating 1,000 new jobs over the next 18 months, investing £40 million in the project, the energy firm says.
There is a UK skills shortage of 20,000 domestic gas engineers, the company claims, but women apprentice recruits have trebled in the last two years.
For those of you considering a career in this area, the investment will fund two new academies in Scotland and Leicester, which are expected to open in 2009.
"Our people are our greatest strength and our engineers are the most visible aspect of our business on a daily basis," says managing director of British Gas Services Chris Weston.
Apprenticeships have not been consigned to history and the scheme has increased the success of the business, he adds.
The new apprentices will be trained to NVQ Level 3 standard and will join an existing workforce of 9,000 gas engineers, those of you involved in the utilities sector may be interested to hear.
In related news, the Confederation of British Industry director general Richard Lambert claims students’ time-management and communication skills can be improved with specific training at university.
Filed under: Utilities | 1 Comment »
£10.8m contract won for ‘new generation’ Holiday Inn
Posted on September 18th, 2008 by admin
A £10.8 million contract to build a ‘new generation’ Holiday Inn in Winchester has been won by construction business Morgan Ashurst.
The contract, won from Bond Contracting, is to build 120 rooms at the hotel located off the M3 near junction ten, cnplus.co.uk reports.
What’s more, work is expected to begin later this month, with a deadline of October 2009, according to the website.
Morgan Ashurst will build a wildlife conservation area as part of the project, contractjournal.com claims.
In related news, the Premier Inn is set to open a green hotel in Staffordshire in December which is expected to use 80 per cent less energy than conventional hotels.
Those of you in the construction business with an interest in the environment may be impressed to find out that heat pumps from the earth will heat and cool rooms and low carbon technology and materials are used.
Earlier this year, Morgan Ashurst won a £44 million contract to build a college in Devon, which, according to its website, will be a model for sustainability both in construction and environmental management.
Filed under: Construction | No Comments »
Scottish firm wins award for eco-home
Posted on September 17th, 2008 by admin
A Scottish construction company has won a green award for its affordable energy-efficient homes.
Ballyconnelly Developments of Greenock won an award for its three-bedroomed family homes in Dunoon, which included features such as an efficient heat recovery system.
Those of you especially interested in the green side of the construction industry might be impressed that these homes can be built for £150,000, claims green website newbuilder.co.uk.
Also, 95 per cent of the materials used are from forests managed by the Forest Stewardship Council or based on recycled products.
"We are extremely proud that these new homes will enhance quality of life while hugely reducing energy costs for their new owners," managing director of Ballyconnelly Developments Pol Stewart tells the website.
There is the potential to build hundreds more eco-homes to address the housing shortage in Scotland, she adds, which those of you involved in the construction industry may want to know.
Automated smart electricity meters, thermal barriers and low maintenance roof tiles should see home heating bills stand at 80 per cent lower than conventional-built houses, the green building site claims.
When starting out in 1999, the Ballyconnelly Group focused on property development and renovations and now operates from the Greenock base.
Filed under: Construction | No Comments »
Runcorn power plant given green light
Posted on September 17th, 2008 by admin
A power station that is fuelled by waste has been approved by the government to be built at Runcorn.
One interesting fact you may wish to know is that waste that would have otherwise gone to landfill sites will fuel the power station instead.
Ineos Chlor will be allowed to construct the combined heat and power (CHP) station, with a capacity of 100 MW, after gaining permission from energy minister Malcolm Wicks.
"The key concern of impact on public health will be properly addressed through planning conditions at the construction stage and when the station is operational, through the environmental permitting regime regulated by the Environment Agency," says Mr Wicks.
Two new public sector energy-producing waste incinerators, along with mechanical treatment plants, could be built on any of the 11 sites on Merseyside which have been marked, the Liverpool Daily Post reports.
For those of you interested in the proposed projects, public consultation on these is expected to start in November.
According to its website, Greenpeace supports CHP plants as an alternative to nuclear ones.
Filed under: Utilities | No Comments »
Rail project in north-west confirmed
Posted on September 16th, 2008 by admin
A new project worth some £5 million that aims to bring improvements to the railway line between Blackburn and Clitheroe has been announced.
Construction workers in the area may like to know that the work will see new track and sleepers be laid out so that the speed limit can be increased and the noise level can be cut down.
Currently, trains are limited to just 20 mph along some sections of the track, but once the work is completed, this will rise to 45 mph.
According to the Lancashire Telegraph, some 11,661 yards of track will be given a new lease of life, with concrete or steel sleepers being put down in place of the current ones.
Workers may like to know that a 24-hour continuous shift pattern will be used to ensure that work is completed within the given time.
"Ultimately we are aiming to develop our service and ensure that our performance in this area is improved," the newspaper claims route director at Network Rail Peter Strachan said.
In related news, Network Rail earlier this month announced that major infrastructure work on the west coast main line is closer to completion.
Filed under: Rail | No Comments »
Upgrade scale-down endorsed
Posted on September 16th, 2008 by admin
A scaling-down of a project to upgrade the north London line has been endorsed by Network Rail, it has been reported.
The plans, which originally come from Transport for London (TfL), call for less of the line to be turned into a four-track stretch, Transport Briefing notes.
However, it has been claimed that such a change should not lead to a drop in performance for services on the line.
According to Transport Briefing, TfL may consider delivering the full scheme in the future, should more funding become available.
Apparently, it now claims that the cost of bringing disused railway bridges back into service is too much for the scheme to be effective.
The changes to the plans are now open for consultation, the news provider notes. However, it also claims such changes indicate the increasing pressure on finances for new infrastructure and engineering projects in the capital.
TfL has recently noted that engineering work to develop a more efficient system on the London Overground network started at the beginning of the month.
Filed under: Rail | No Comments »
Third Heathrow runway backed by 100 businesses
Posted on September 15th, 2008 by admin
A third runway at Heathrow has been backed by a group of 100 businesses - as long as it stays within environmental regulations.
You may be interested to know that Ruth Kelly, transport minister, tells the Financial Times (FT) that "aviation contributes over £11 billion to the national economy and Heathrow directly or indirectly supports over 100,000 jobs".
The group of businesses include the Hilton Hotels and the British Chambers of Commerce, according to the BBC.
But environmental standards have to be adhered to when building the runway, which the companies say is essential for business.
As you may know, airports in Paris, Amsterdam and Frankfurt are expected to have four runways by 2012, the FT reports the union of businesses as claiming.
Campaign group Hacan ClearSkies say expansion is not necessary for improved access to countries such as India and China, the chairman John Stewart tells the BBC.
Limiting short-haul flights would provide space for long-haul ones, Mr Stewart adds.
Heathrow is owned by BAA, whose website informs you that it is the world’’s leading airport company, running seven airports in the UK.
Filed under: Aviation | No Comments »
UK has a ’skills shortage in engineering’
Posted on September 15th, 2008 by admin
A Staffordshire engineering firm has announced that out of 400 UK applications for vacancies at the automotive company, only two or three are suitable, a report says.
The organisation, Zytek Automotive, might consider engineering recruits from Romania and Germany because of the skills shortage in our country, says newspaper the Birmingham Mail.
"There is a genuine shortage because everybody has been going into careers in finance or the media - engineering is not considered sexy enough," Zytek finance director Stephen Wallis tells the newspaper.
You may be interested to hear that the company, which is currently developing electric cars, has a £15 million turnover and 135 staff, the Mail says.
Zytek needs to take on more qualified staff because of the rise of inquiries from companies such as Peugeot and Ferrari, Mr Wallis adds.
As such taking the time to find those workers with the right skills set could become increasingly important.
There are 20 immediate vacancies for the firm, which is half-owned by German car group Continental, although more posts could be created, the finance director claims, which may interest some of you recruiters in the industry.
The engineering company has previously provided engines worldwide for Formula 3000 and the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport.
Filed under: Engineering | No Comments »
Assembly calls for action with Cross River Tram network
Posted on September 12th, 2008 by admin
Those operating in the rail industry might be interested to hear of the call made by the London Assembly to build a new tram network in the capital.
Although financing for the research and design of the Cross River Tram network is in place, the Assembly is demanding that Boris Johnson, mayor of London and chair of Transport for London, explores options into the construction of the rail project.
Such a network would cross the River Thames and link Euston and Waterloo.
It would extend as far as King’’s Cross and Camden Town in the north and to Brixton and Peckham in the south.
Val Shawcross, London Assembly member, stated that there is a "real need to progress the Cross River Tram to combat the woeful inadequacies in public transport services, particularly in some parts of south-east London, and alleviate overcrowding on the Tube".
It was also claimed that the existing Croydon Tramlink network should be extended.
As you might already be aware Network Rail recently unveiled plans for a multimillion pound regeneration of Reading’’s rail services.
Filed under: Rail | No Comments »
Olympic workers ’staying safe’
Posted on September 12th, 2008 by admin
With the clock increasingly ticking down to the start of the 2012 Olympics in London, those operating in the construction sector might be interested to hear of a new report highlighting the working practices of such a major project.
In figures released by the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA), it was revealed that a total of more than one million working hours on the Olympic Park site have been recorded without a reportable accident taking place.
This is the fifth time since work began on the development that the one million hours milestone has been surpassed.
John Armitt, chairman of the ODA, said: "To complete a million hours without a reportable accident on a project of this size and complexity is challenging enough, so to do this five times is a real accomplishment."
As you might already know more than 2,600 workers are currently on site.
In other news, plans for the venues for cycling events at the 2012 Games were recently unveiled and include a 6,000 seater velodrome.
Filed under: Construction | No Comments »
Olympic workers ‘’staying safe”
Posted on September 12th, 2008 by admin
With the clock increasingly ticking down to the start of the 2012 Olympics in London, those operating in the construction sector might be interested to hear of a new report highlighting the working practices of such a major project.
In figures released by the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA), it was revealed that a total of more than one million working hours on the Olympic Park site have been recorded without a reportable accident taking place.
This is the fifth time since work began on the development that the one million hours milestone has been surpassed.
John Armitt, chairman of the ODA, said: "To complete a million hours without a reportable accident on a project of this size and complexity is challenging enough, so to do this five times is a real accomplishment."
As you might already know more than 2,600 workers are currently on site.
In other news, plans for the venues for cycling events at the 2012 Games were recently unveiled and include a 6,000 seater velodrome.
Filed under: Construction | No Comments »
Hundreds of utilities jobs to be created at Sheffield
Posted on September 11th, 2008 by admin
Sheffield could soon yield hundreds of new jobs in news that could interest those of you operating in the utilities sector.
However, in order for around 200 new jobs to be created in the Yorkshire city, Sheffield Forgemasters International must secure around £20 million of funding from the government, the Sheffield Telegraph reports.
The firm is attempting to build the largest forging press in Europe, which could then be used to create parts for next generation nuclear reactors.
Group board director of Forgemasters Peter Birtles said: "We have proposed a very major capital investment of £120 million to install a 15,000 tonne forging press and all the equipment going with it."
While these jobs have not yet been confirmed, it is possible that plans by Welsh Power and NPL estates to build a new power station in the north-west of England may well be successful, in which case some 600 positions would be created by the construction of the building.
Filed under: Utilities | No Comments »
Plans put forward for Reading rail revival
Posted on September 11th, 2008 by admin
Reading might soon be at the heart of a railway revamp that you may interested to know could boost job prospects in the area.
Network Rail has outlined a £400 million scheme to revive the town’’s railway station that would be completed by 2015.
Councillor Tony Page described the benefits the move will have on the area.
"Different communities in Reading will gain in different ways, through easier travel, the re-routing of traffic, protected jobs and a better business and urban environment," he said.
Work has already started on the project, which includes the construction of an elevated railway.
You might already be aware that there have been calls for the South Wales Ebbw Vale rail service to be improved.
Rail News reported that some trains are overcrowded as many residents use the service, but improvements to the lines might be good news for jobseekers.
Filed under: Rail | No Comments »
Denham unveils plans to improve construction skills
Posted on September 10th, 2008 by admin
Worried about attracting skilled builders? Well you may have to fear no longer!
Those in the construction sector might be interested to hear of recent comments by John Denham, secretary for skills, where in a speech to the Trades Union Congress numerous initiatives were unveiled to support demand for skilled workers in the industry.
You could prick your ears to his plans to set up a construction task force - made up of trade unions and large employers - which will help to advise the government on long-term issues in regards to boosting skills levels and expanding apprenticeships.
Meanwhile, those firms which win government contracts will receive encouragement to ensure they train more members of their staff.
Mr Denham said: "The [construction] industry today is experiencing great difficulties in house building.
"But look just a few years into the future; we know that we will need many more skilled people working in construction than we have today."
And as you already are likely to know, he claimed the need for more skilled workers is due to major projects such as Crossrail and the 2012 Olympics, in addition to plans for new homes, schools and hospitals.
Earlier this year ConstructionSkills Apprenticeships director Max Hamps claimed that despite the bitter economic climate it is important that plans are in place to improve the number of skilled workers in the construction sector.
Filed under: Construction | No Comments »
Contractors to face new training levy rules
Posted on September 10th, 2008 by admin
Recruiters operating within the construction industry might be advised to make themselves aware of forthcoming training regulations.
You may be interested to read a recent Contract Journal article which reports that CITB-ConstructionSkills has given the green light to charge those contractors who either delay - or duck out from paying altogether - the training levy.
Firms which do not pay such a fee are to be charged interest of eight per cent on any cash which is overdue.
The publication claims that about 2,500 employers could be affected by these changes - the equivalent of £375,000 in interest to be payable.
It was also pointed out that such a levy charging plan is currently prevalent in Northern Ireland, with the latest scheme set to begin from the 2008 levy assessment which is to be issued next year.
As you might already know that offshore contractors blocked plans to double the statutory training levy for the engineering sector earlier this year due concerns about cash.
Filed under: Construction | No Comments »
Cycling facilities unveiled for 2012 Olympics
Posted on September 9th, 2008 by admin
You might wish to get on your bike as plans for the venues which will host the various cycling events for the 2012 Olympic Games in London have been unveiled.
Revealed by London mayor Boris Johnson and Chris Hoy, three-time gold medal winner at the recent Beijing Games, the latest designs for the VeloPark have been made public and include proposals for the velodrome.
Containing some 6,000 seats, the velodrome will host not only indoor track events for the Olympic games but also for the Paralympic events.
Once the London games are over, the development will be converted for legacy purposes and will not only retain top-class cycling facilities for elite athletes and members of the public, but will also include a cafe and a 360-degree concourse level providing views of the London skyline.
Other proposals for VeloPark include a BMX circuit, a 6 km mountain bike trail and a road cycle circuit, with planning permission to be submitted later this month.
As you are already likely to know the contract for the facility has been awarded to ISG who relaid the track at Manchester’’s Velodrome.
Towards the end of last month, it was reported that the majority of the permanent foundations for the Olympic Park for the 2012 games had been fitted.
The Knutsford Guardian reports that up to £3 billion of improvements have been planned for the years leading up to 2013.
Should they go ahead, Lord Peter Smith - leader of the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities - asserts that 50 years of investment would be delivered within the space of the next five years.
"The public will be able to see tangible results happening by 2012," he comments.
Among the proposals are the introduction of new carriages and trains between Knutsford and Manchester, which could increase the number of rail jobs in the region.
Station improvements are also suggested, with summer 2013 set as the deadline for the upgrades to be completed.
In other news that may be of interest to those with rail jobs, HR Zone has noted the need for train drivers’ uniforms to differ from those of platform staff.
The publication adds that different rail franchises are likely to operate uniform policies which conform to varying rules.
Filed under: Rail | No Comments »
Construction gloom anticipated
Posted on September 19th, 2008 by admin
Experts in the construction sector have predicted that the current economic climate may bring a gloomy spell for the industry as a whole.
According to news provider Building.co.uk, speakers at the recent Future Forecasting conference suggested that market turmoil of recent times could have an effect on the sector until at least 2010.
But it wasn’t all doom and gloom. Stephen Stone, chief executive of Crest Nicholson, apparently said that the banks have been "very supportive" of the construction sector on the whole throughout the credit crunch.
"Past cycles have demonstrated that there is a way to trade through this," the news provider claims he said.
Indeed securing finance for new work could come from any number of institutions, even for bigger projects. Over a quarter of lenders on the market would give upwards of £50 million for new projects, the head of structured finance at Barclays, Nick Salisbury, reportedly suggested.
One new project that’s going to be getting started before the predicted 2010 end of the current downturn is a facelift at New Street station in Birmingham.
Filed under: Construction | No Comments »
Gas engineer shortage ‘results in 1,000 new jobs’
Posted on September 18th, 2008 by admin
British Gas is creating 1,000 new jobs over the next 18 months, investing £40 million in the project, the energy firm says.
There is a UK skills shortage of 20,000 domestic gas engineers, the company claims, but women apprentice recruits have trebled in the last two years.
For those of you considering a career in this area, the investment will fund two new academies in Scotland and Leicester, which are expected to open in 2009.
"Our people are our greatest strength and our engineers are the most visible aspect of our business on a daily basis," says managing director of British Gas Services Chris Weston.
Apprenticeships have not been consigned to history and the scheme has increased the success of the business, he adds.
The new apprentices will be trained to NVQ Level 3 standard and will join an existing workforce of 9,000 gas engineers, those of you involved in the utilities sector may be interested to hear.
In related news, the Confederation of British Industry director general Richard Lambert claims students’ time-management and communication skills can be improved with specific training at university.
Filed under: Utilities | 1 Comment »
£10.8m contract won for ‘new generation’ Holiday Inn
Posted on September 18th, 2008 by admin
A £10.8 million contract to build a ‘new generation’ Holiday Inn in Winchester has been won by construction business Morgan Ashurst.
The contract, won from Bond Contracting, is to build 120 rooms at the hotel located off the M3 near junction ten, cnplus.co.uk reports.
What’s more, work is expected to begin later this month, with a deadline of October 2009, according to the website.
Morgan Ashurst will build a wildlife conservation area as part of the project, contractjournal.com claims.
In related news, the Premier Inn is set to open a green hotel in Staffordshire in December which is expected to use 80 per cent less energy than conventional hotels.
Those of you in the construction business with an interest in the environment may be impressed to find out that heat pumps from the earth will heat and cool rooms and low carbon technology and materials are used.
Earlier this year, Morgan Ashurst won a £44 million contract to build a college in Devon, which, according to its website, will be a model for sustainability both in construction and environmental management.
Filed under: Construction | No Comments »
Scottish firm wins award for eco-home
Posted on September 17th, 2008 by admin
A Scottish construction company has won a green award for its affordable energy-efficient homes.
Ballyconnelly Developments of Greenock won an award for its three-bedroomed family homes in Dunoon, which included features such as an efficient heat recovery system.
Those of you especially interested in the green side of the construction industry might be impressed that these homes can be built for £150,000, claims green website newbuilder.co.uk.
Also, 95 per cent of the materials used are from forests managed by the Forest Stewardship Council or based on recycled products.
"We are extremely proud that these new homes will enhance quality of life while hugely reducing energy costs for their new owners," managing director of Ballyconnelly Developments Pol Stewart tells the website.
There is the potential to build hundreds more eco-homes to address the housing shortage in Scotland, she adds, which those of you involved in the construction industry may want to know.
Automated smart electricity meters, thermal barriers and low maintenance roof tiles should see home heating bills stand at 80 per cent lower than conventional-built houses, the green building site claims.
When starting out in 1999, the Ballyconnelly Group focused on property development and renovations and now operates from the Greenock base.
Filed under: Construction | No Comments »
Runcorn power plant given green light
Posted on September 17th, 2008 by admin
A power station that is fuelled by waste has been approved by the government to be built at Runcorn.
One interesting fact you may wish to know is that waste that would have otherwise gone to landfill sites will fuel the power station instead.
Ineos Chlor will be allowed to construct the combined heat and power (CHP) station, with a capacity of 100 MW, after gaining permission from energy minister Malcolm Wicks.
"The key concern of impact on public health will be properly addressed through planning conditions at the construction stage and when the station is operational, through the environmental permitting regime regulated by the Environment Agency," says Mr Wicks.
Two new public sector energy-producing waste incinerators, along with mechanical treatment plants, could be built on any of the 11 sites on Merseyside which have been marked, the Liverpool Daily Post reports.
For those of you interested in the proposed projects, public consultation on these is expected to start in November.
According to its website, Greenpeace supports CHP plants as an alternative to nuclear ones.
Filed under: Utilities | No Comments »
Rail project in north-west confirmed
Posted on September 16th, 2008 by admin
A new project worth some £5 million that aims to bring improvements to the railway line between Blackburn and Clitheroe has been announced.
Construction workers in the area may like to know that the work will see new track and sleepers be laid out so that the speed limit can be increased and the noise level can be cut down.
Currently, trains are limited to just 20 mph along some sections of the track, but once the work is completed, this will rise to 45 mph.
According to the Lancashire Telegraph, some 11,661 yards of track will be given a new lease of life, with concrete or steel sleepers being put down in place of the current ones.
Workers may like to know that a 24-hour continuous shift pattern will be used to ensure that work is completed within the given time.
"Ultimately we are aiming to develop our service and ensure that our performance in this area is improved," the newspaper claims route director at Network Rail Peter Strachan said.
In related news, Network Rail earlier this month announced that major infrastructure work on the west coast main line is closer to completion.
Filed under: Rail | No Comments »
Upgrade scale-down endorsed
Posted on September 16th, 2008 by admin
A scaling-down of a project to upgrade the north London line has been endorsed by Network Rail, it has been reported.
The plans, which originally come from Transport for London (TfL), call for less of the line to be turned into a four-track stretch, Transport Briefing notes.
However, it has been claimed that such a change should not lead to a drop in performance for services on the line.
According to Transport Briefing, TfL may consider delivering the full scheme in the future, should more funding become available.
Apparently, it now claims that the cost of bringing disused railway bridges back into service is too much for the scheme to be effective.
The changes to the plans are now open for consultation, the news provider notes. However, it also claims such changes indicate the increasing pressure on finances for new infrastructure and engineering projects in the capital.
TfL has recently noted that engineering work to develop a more efficient system on the London Overground network started at the beginning of the month.
Filed under: Rail | No Comments »
Third Heathrow runway backed by 100 businesses
Posted on September 15th, 2008 by admin
A third runway at Heathrow has been backed by a group of 100 businesses - as long as it stays within environmental regulations.
You may be interested to know that Ruth Kelly, transport minister, tells the Financial Times (FT) that "aviation contributes over £11 billion to the national economy and Heathrow directly or indirectly supports over 100,000 jobs".
The group of businesses include the Hilton Hotels and the British Chambers of Commerce, according to the BBC.
But environmental standards have to be adhered to when building the runway, which the companies say is essential for business.
As you may know, airports in Paris, Amsterdam and Frankfurt are expected to have four runways by 2012, the FT reports the union of businesses as claiming.
Campaign group Hacan ClearSkies say expansion is not necessary for improved access to countries such as India and China, the chairman John Stewart tells the BBC.
Limiting short-haul flights would provide space for long-haul ones, Mr Stewart adds.
Heathrow is owned by BAA, whose website informs you that it is the world’’s leading airport company, running seven airports in the UK.
Filed under: Aviation | No Comments »
UK has a ’skills shortage in engineering’
Posted on September 15th, 2008 by admin
A Staffordshire engineering firm has announced that out of 400 UK applications for vacancies at the automotive company, only two or three are suitable, a report says.
The organisation, Zytek Automotive, might consider engineering recruits from Romania and Germany because of the skills shortage in our country, says newspaper the Birmingham Mail.
"There is a genuine shortage because everybody has been going into careers in finance or the media - engineering is not considered sexy enough," Zytek finance director Stephen Wallis tells the newspaper.
You may be interested to hear that the company, which is currently developing electric cars, has a £15 million turnover and 135 staff, the Mail says.
Zytek needs to take on more qualified staff because of the rise of inquiries from companies such as Peugeot and Ferrari, Mr Wallis adds.
As such taking the time to find those workers with the right skills set could become increasingly important.
There are 20 immediate vacancies for the firm, which is half-owned by German car group Continental, although more posts could be created, the finance director claims, which may interest some of you recruiters in the industry.
The engineering company has previously provided engines worldwide for Formula 3000 and the A1GP World Cup of Motorsport.
Filed under: Engineering | No Comments »
Assembly calls for action with Cross River Tram network
Posted on September 12th, 2008 by admin
Those operating in the rail industry might be interested to hear of the call made by the London Assembly to build a new tram network in the capital.
Although financing for the research and design of the Cross River Tram network is in place, the Assembly is demanding that Boris Johnson, mayor of London and chair of Transport for London, explores options into the construction of the rail project.
Such a network would cross the River Thames and link Euston and Waterloo.
It would extend as far as King’’s Cross and Camden Town in the north and to Brixton and Peckham in the south.
Val Shawcross, London Assembly member, stated that there is a "real need to progress the Cross River Tram to combat the woeful inadequacies in public transport services, particularly in some parts of south-east London, and alleviate overcrowding on the Tube".
It was also claimed that the existing Croydon Tramlink network should be extended.
As you might already be aware Network Rail recently unveiled plans for a multimillion pound regeneration of Reading’’s rail services.
Filed under: Rail | No Comments »
Olympic workers ’staying safe’
Posted on September 12th, 2008 by admin
With the clock increasingly ticking down to the start of the 2012 Olympics in London, those operating in the construction sector might be interested to hear of a new report highlighting the working practices of such a major project.
In figures released by the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA), it was revealed that a total of more than one million working hours on the Olympic Park site have been recorded without a reportable accident taking place.
This is the fifth time since work began on the development that the one million hours milestone has been surpassed.
John Armitt, chairman of the ODA, said: "To complete a million hours without a reportable accident on a project of this size and complexity is challenging enough, so to do this five times is a real accomplishment."
As you might already know more than 2,600 workers are currently on site.
In other news, plans for the venues for cycling events at the 2012 Games were recently unveiled and include a 6,000 seater velodrome.
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Olympic workers ‘’staying safe”
Posted on September 12th, 2008 by admin
With the clock increasingly ticking down to the start of the 2012 Olympics in London, those operating in the construction sector might be interested to hear of a new report highlighting the working practices of such a major project.
In figures released by the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA), it was revealed that a total of more than one million working hours on the Olympic Park site have been recorded without a reportable accident taking place.
This is the fifth time since work began on the development that the one million hours milestone has been surpassed.
John Armitt, chairman of the ODA, said: "To complete a million hours without a reportable accident on a project of this size and complexity is challenging enough, so to do this five times is a real accomplishment."
As you might already know more than 2,600 workers are currently on site.
In other news, plans for the venues for cycling events at the 2012 Games were recently unveiled and include a 6,000 seater velodrome.
Filed under: Construction | No Comments »
Hundreds of utilities jobs to be created at Sheffield
Posted on September 11th, 2008 by admin
Sheffield could soon yield hundreds of new jobs in news that could interest those of you operating in the utilities sector.
However, in order for around 200 new jobs to be created in the Yorkshire city, Sheffield Forgemasters International must secure around £20 million of funding from the government, the Sheffield Telegraph reports.
The firm is attempting to build the largest forging press in Europe, which could then be used to create parts for next generation nuclear reactors.
Group board director of Forgemasters Peter Birtles said: "We have proposed a very major capital investment of £120 million to install a 15,000 tonne forging press and all the equipment going with it."
While these jobs have not yet been confirmed, it is possible that plans by Welsh Power and NPL estates to build a new power station in the north-west of England may well be successful, in which case some 600 positions would be created by the construction of the building.
Filed under: Utilities | No Comments »
Plans put forward for Reading rail revival
Posted on September 11th, 2008 by admin
Reading might soon be at the heart of a railway revamp that you may interested to know could boost job prospects in the area.
Network Rail has outlined a £400 million scheme to revive the town’’s railway station that would be completed by 2015.
Councillor Tony Page described the benefits the move will have on the area.
"Different communities in Reading will gain in different ways, through easier travel, the re-routing of traffic, protected jobs and a better business and urban environment," he said.
Work has already started on the project, which includes the construction of an elevated railway.
You might already be aware that there have been calls for the South Wales Ebbw Vale rail service to be improved.
Rail News reported that some trains are overcrowded as many residents use the service, but improvements to the lines might be good news for jobseekers.
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Denham unveils plans to improve construction skills
Posted on September 10th, 2008 by admin
Worried about attracting skilled builders? Well you may have to fear no longer!
Those in the construction sector might be interested to hear of recent comments by John Denham, secretary for skills, where in a speech to the Trades Union Congress numerous initiatives were unveiled to support demand for skilled workers in the industry.
You could prick your ears to his plans to set up a construction task force - made up of trade unions and large employers - which will help to advise the government on long-term issues in regards to boosting skills levels and expanding apprenticeships.
Meanwhile, those firms which win government contracts will receive encouragement to ensure they train more members of their staff.
Mr Denham said: "The [construction] industry today is experiencing great difficulties in house building.
"But look just a few years into the future; we know that we will need many more skilled people working in construction than we have today."
And as you already are likely to know, he claimed the need for more skilled workers is due to major projects such as Crossrail and the 2012 Olympics, in addition to plans for new homes, schools and hospitals.
Earlier this year ConstructionSkills Apprenticeships director Max Hamps claimed that despite the bitter economic climate it is important that plans are in place to improve the number of skilled workers in the construction sector.
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Contractors to face new training levy rules
Posted on September 10th, 2008 by admin
Recruiters operating within the construction industry might be advised to make themselves aware of forthcoming training regulations.
You may be interested to read a recent Contract Journal article which reports that CITB-ConstructionSkills has given the green light to charge those contractors who either delay - or duck out from paying altogether - the training levy.
Firms which do not pay such a fee are to be charged interest of eight per cent on any cash which is overdue.
The publication claims that about 2,500 employers could be affected by these changes - the equivalent of £375,000 in interest to be payable.
It was also pointed out that such a levy charging plan is currently prevalent in Northern Ireland, with the latest scheme set to begin from the 2008 levy assessment which is to be issued next year.
As you might already know that offshore contractors blocked plans to double the statutory training levy for the engineering sector earlier this year due concerns about cash.
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Cycling facilities unveiled for 2012 Olympics
Posted on September 9th, 2008 by admin
You might wish to get on your bike as plans for the venues which will host the various cycling events for the 2012 Olympic Games in London have been unveiled.
Revealed by London mayor Boris Johnson and Chris Hoy, three-time gold medal winner at the recent Beijing Games, the latest designs for the VeloPark have been made public and include proposals for the velodrome.
Containing some 6,000 seats, the velodrome will host not only indoor track events for the Olympic games but also for the Paralympic events.
Once the London games are over, the development will be converted for legacy purposes and will not only retain top-class cycling facilities for elite athletes and members of the public, but will also include a cafe and a 360-degree concourse level providing views of the London skyline.
Other proposals for VeloPark include a BMX circuit, a 6 km mountain bike trail and a road cycle circuit, with planning permission to be submitted later this month.
As you are already likely to know the contract for the facility has been awarded to ISG who relaid the track at Manchester’’s Velodrome.
Towards the end of last month, it was reported that the majority of the permanent foundations for the Olympic Park for the 2012 games had been fitted.
Rail Industry
Balfour Beatty has been awarded a £60 million contract by Network Rail to lay new track on the Airdrie to Bathgate line.
The existing line of Airdrie and Drumgelloch will be double tracked and the entire route is expected to be electrified prior to commissioning in late 2010, Transport Briefing reports, which may interest those of you interested in rail construction and engineering.
"Awarding this contract at this stage allows them to get off to a flying start. Key elements of the work they will carry out will start during the nine day blockade planned for later in October," Network Rail director in Scotland Ron McAulay tells the transport website.
Those of you living in Scotland or simply interested in the rail industry may already know that the original route between Airdrie and Bathgate was closed 50 years ago, according to Mr McAulay.
Communities in the area will benefit from the new rail service, which Balfour Beatty is proud to be part of, he adds.
In related Scotland rail news, Harsco Corp, the industrial services company, said it had secured a three-year, $20 million (£10.8 million) extension to a contract for the repainting of the Forth Rail Bridge
The existing line of Airdrie and Drumgelloch will be double tracked and the entire route is expected to be electrified prior to commissioning in late 2010, Transport Briefing reports, which may interest those of you interested in rail construction and engineering.
"Awarding this contract at this stage allows them to get off to a flying start. Key elements of the work they will carry out will start during the nine day blockade planned for later in October," Network Rail director in Scotland Ron McAulay tells the transport website.
Those of you living in Scotland or simply interested in the rail industry may already know that the original route between Airdrie and Bathgate was closed 50 years ago, according to Mr McAulay.
Communities in the area will benefit from the new rail service, which Balfour Beatty is proud to be part of, he adds.
In related Scotland rail news, Harsco Corp, the industrial services company, said it had secured a three-year, $20 million (£10.8 million) extension to a contract for the repainting of the Forth Rail Bridge
Railway employment
One of the biggest choices that needs to be made by a young railway professional early in their career is where they want to go in the rail industry. Some rail workers want to be able to do their jobs, come home at the end of the day, and take home a decent wage. Other rail workers want to experience a wider array of experiences and keep themselves unfettered by the restraints of home. Both of these ideas, and others in between those two, have merits but it is important for a young professional to make their mind up early in their career. Their decision is essentially between working with a smaller, local railway and a large international railway.
The small railway in the United Kingdom and Europe is a place that brings back the romantic notions of rail travel. The engines are typically designed and painted to resemble old trains, with a distinct red, blue, or green colour to show its attempts at authenticity. In fact, there are a number of historic lines throughout the European continent that allow tourists, residents, and railway workers to experience what travel was like in the 19th and early 20th century.
Railway workers have to consider a number of factors before delving into small railways. Local and historic lines allow professionals to establish a home base with their family and travel a bit while returning home on a regular basis. Often, small railway workers get an opportunity to familiarise themselves with regular travellers and develop a community aboard the train. However great these quaint touches are, railway workers at speciality lines or short transit lines may become frustrated with outdated equipment.
International railways and larger national railways offer cutting edge technology for its workers and customers. Workers aboard international trains get to see world famous destinations and travel to far-off places on a regular basis. Indeed, the allure of travelling across Europe, Asia, or South America can be a primary motivator for young professionals. However, there is a balance to be struck between this sense of adventure and the atmosphere of major railways. Young rail professionals may chafe a bit at the corporate atmosphere of larger railways, with a long list of guidelines to follow in order to keep the customer happy. As well, unlike the familiarity of the small railway, workers in large railways are often anonymous to the hundreds of thousands of passengers they see. For railway workers, it can be a difficult choice but they need to find the right situation for their needs
The small railway in the United Kingdom and Europe is a place that brings back the romantic notions of rail travel. The engines are typically designed and painted to resemble old trains, with a distinct red, blue, or green colour to show its attempts at authenticity. In fact, there are a number of historic lines throughout the European continent that allow tourists, residents, and railway workers to experience what travel was like in the 19th and early 20th century.
Railway workers have to consider a number of factors before delving into small railways. Local and historic lines allow professionals to establish a home base with their family and travel a bit while returning home on a regular basis. Often, small railway workers get an opportunity to familiarise themselves with regular travellers and develop a community aboard the train. However great these quaint touches are, railway workers at speciality lines or short transit lines may become frustrated with outdated equipment.
International railways and larger national railways offer cutting edge technology for its workers and customers. Workers aboard international trains get to see world famous destinations and travel to far-off places on a regular basis. Indeed, the allure of travelling across Europe, Asia, or South America can be a primary motivator for young professionals. However, there is a balance to be struck between this sense of adventure and the atmosphere of major railways. Young rail professionals may chafe a bit at the corporate atmosphere of larger railways, with a long list of guidelines to follow in order to keep the customer happy. As well, unlike the familiarity of the small railway, workers in large railways are often anonymous to the hundreds of thousands of passengers they see. For railway workers, it can be a difficult choice but they need to find the right situation for their needs
Tuesday 21 October 2008
Working for SYSTRA
Who we are
A world leader in international rail and urban transport engineering, SYSTRA offers the opportunity of working on major French or international projects in multicultural teams.
The technical expertise of our colleagues and our regular collaboration with RATP and SNCF mean that we can train new recruits in the latest rail and urban transport technology.
Your international experience
Our engineers must be able to demonstrate broad international experience :
fluent English is essential ; Spanish is an advantage ;
mobility - whether for business trips or for an overseas posting ; and
ability to work in a multicultural environment.
How we develop your career
an international career path ;
job rotation between design and site supervision ; and
transfers between technical expertise and transverse functions such as project management or commercial activities.
What your job involves
preliminary and detailed designs ;
operational and technical specifications ;
cost estimates and control ;
analysis and assessment of projects ;
testing and commissioning of transport systems ;
project management ; and
assistance to the owner.
A world leader in international rail and urban transport engineering, SYSTRA offers the opportunity of working on major French or international projects in multicultural teams.
The technical expertise of our colleagues and our regular collaboration with RATP and SNCF mean that we can train new recruits in the latest rail and urban transport technology.
Your international experience
Our engineers must be able to demonstrate broad international experience :
fluent English is essential ; Spanish is an advantage ;
mobility - whether for business trips or for an overseas posting ; and
ability to work in a multicultural environment.
How we develop your career
an international career path ;
job rotation between design and site supervision ; and
transfers between technical expertise and transverse functions such as project management or commercial activities.
What your job involves
preliminary and detailed designs ;
operational and technical specifications ;
cost estimates and control ;
analysis and assessment of projects ;
testing and commissioning of transport systems ;
project management ; and
assistance to the owner.
Trans Siberian Railway Journey
Don't panic! The route that your daughter is taking via Mongolia is the most popular Trans-Siberian route and she will be among plenty of other travellers.
The conflict between Russia and Georgia is, at the time of writing, confined to the separatist region of South Ossetia and the border with Georgia.
This is south of Russia and a couple of thousand kilometres from Moscow where your daughter will be. Check out the Department of Foreign Affair's Travel Advice pages for country-specific information and general travel advice: www.dfa.ie/home. As the majority of the trip will be through Russia I would reco m m e n d your daughter tries to learn some R u s s i a n .
Admittedly it's not the easiest language to pick up but the country can be a struggle as you are unlikely to come across any written or spoken English.
Ask her to keep in regular contact to minimise your sleepless nights, once a week should be fine. A good source of advice for her is www.gogapyear.com.
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New Mordern Antrim Hotel from £39 New hotel in antrim, full irish breakfast, close to airport.
www.hiexpressantrim.co.uk
Royal Caribbean Experience Europe and the Med direct from Southampton.
www.royalcaribbean.co.uk
Top Searches
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Read Beyond the bling of Dubai
Getting travel insurance for 15-18 months
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The conflict between Russia and Georgia is, at the time of writing, confined to the separatist region of South Ossetia and the border with Georgia.
This is south of Russia and a couple of thousand kilometres from Moscow where your daughter will be. Check out the Department of Foreign Affair's Travel Advice pages for country-specific information and general travel advice: www.dfa.ie/home. As the majority of the trip will be through Russia I would reco m m e n d your daughter tries to learn some R u s s i a n .
Admittedly it's not the easiest language to pick up but the country can be a struggle as you are unlikely to come across any written or spoken English.
Ask her to keep in regular contact to minimise your sleepless nights, once a week should be fine. A good source of advice for her is www.gogapyear.com.
Share Digg del.icio.us Google Stumble Upon Facebook Reddit Print Email Text Size
NormalLargeExtra LargeSponsored Links
Holiday in Peru for Less Family Vacations, Tour Packages to Peru. Book Online and Save.
www.peruforless.com
New Mordern Antrim Hotel from £39 New hotel in antrim, full irish breakfast, close to airport.
www.hiexpressantrim.co.uk
Royal Caribbean Experience Europe and the Med direct from Southampton.
www.royalcaribbean.co.uk
Top Searches
Business Bank Ireland
Car Ireland
Car Ireland Used
Dublin Ireland
Ireland Ireland job
Ireland loan
Ireland travel
Ireland weather
Advertiser Links
Most Popular
Read Beyond the bling of Dubai
Getting travel insurance for 15-18 months
Taking a trip along the Inca Trail
A picture can say a thousand words, in every language
Legality of Drugs in Amsterdam
Preparing to go solo in India
Unusual break for the family
Has Ryanair cancelled all its flights?
Time your visit to Venice
Taking the Trans-Siberian railway
View more most popular
BNSF Railway Applications
You need to put your application in at www.bnsf.com/careers/ hit the apply now button. Watch your email and if you are invited to test and interview they will contact you by email to attend a group testing. You will take a test relating to your field, and you will take a drug test. They will then reject you or accept you BY email. If you are accepted you are hired, but it is depenent on you passing their physical exam. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT TO WATCH YOUR EMAIL DAILY THIS IS THE ONLY WAY THEY WILL COMMUNICATE WITH YOU! Test dates, acceptance, dr appointments etc.
Australia Rail Opportunities
A number of engineering employers are attending the Johannesburg expo looking for railway specialists in the following areas:
* Rail/Track Engineers
* Railway Civil Infrastructure Engineers
* Railway Electrical Overhead Wiring Engineers
* Railway Signaling Technicians
If you are looking for a job in Australia and have the skills that these employers need, then book your tickets online at www.expo-australia.com.
At the expo you can also get advice about visas, look for a new home, meet reputable shipping companies and more.
All the employers will be recruiting at the expo, so don't apply online - come to the expo and meet them in person.
* Rail/Track Engineers
* Railway Civil Infrastructure Engineers
* Railway Electrical Overhead Wiring Engineers
* Railway Signaling Technicians
If you are looking for a job in Australia and have the skills that these employers need, then book your tickets online at www.expo-australia.com.
At the expo you can also get advice about visas, look for a new home, meet reputable shipping companies and more.
All the employers will be recruiting at the expo, so don't apply online - come to the expo and meet them in person.
UK Train Driver Opportunities
You can find work with passenger train operators, freight companies, and underground, light rail and metro companies.
Recent reports suggest that there has been a huge increase over the last decade in passengers and freight on both commuter and long-distance routes. As a result, the demand for drivers is forecast to grow, with more opportunities on the busy networks in and around London and the south-east.
With experience, you could gain promotion to driver instructor and then driver safety manager jobs. Beyond this level, you could move into operations management. You may be able to move up from driving light rail and local routes to long distance trains by changing employers.
You may find the following links useful for job vacancies and general reading: (links open in new window)
Recent reports suggest that there has been a huge increase over the last decade in passengers and freight on both commuter and long-distance routes. As a result, the demand for drivers is forecast to grow, with more opportunities on the busy networks in and around London and the south-east.
With experience, you could gain promotion to driver instructor and then driver safety manager jobs. Beyond this level, you could move into operations management. You may be able to move up from driving light rail and local routes to long distance trains by changing employers.
You may find the following links useful for job vacancies and general reading: (links open in new window)
Working Hours
You would normally work 35 to 42 hours a week. This could be spread over four or five shifts (known as 'turns') including weekends, evenings and nights. If you work on freight or engineering trains, you would usually do more night shifts.
On long distance routes, you may have overnight stays, returning home the following day.
You would usually work alone in the cab for the duration of the journey, except when accompanied by a trainee driver or driver inspector
On long distance routes, you may have overnight stays, returning home the following day.
You would usually work alone in the cab for the duration of the journey, except when accompanied by a trainee driver or driver inspector
What Salary To expect
What salary and other benefits can I expect?
Trainee drivers are paid around £15,000 a year.
Qualified drivers can earn between £25,000 and £31,000 a year.
Experienced drivers can earn over £35,000 a year.
Free or reduced price travel is usually offered as an extra benefit.
Trainee drivers are paid around £15,000 a year.
Qualified drivers can earn between £25,000 and £31,000 a year.
Experienced drivers can earn over £35,000 a year.
Free or reduced price travel is usually offered as an extra benefit.
Train Driver Interest
You do not always need specific qualifications to get into this type of work, although most employers will expect you to have a good general standard of education, including maths and English GCSEs. Some mechanical or electrical knowledge may also be useful.
You can apply directly to train operating companies for information about vacancies. Alternatively, you could start work in the rail service in another job, for example, as part of the station staff or maintenance crews, and then apply for trainee driver posts when they come up. Train companies often promote from within.
You normally have to be at least 21 to work as a train driver on the national rail network. If you are aged between 18 and 21, you may be able to train and work in yards and depots away from passenger lines. To work on the London Undergound you must be at least 18.
If you are successful in your initial application with a company, you will be invited to a training centre where you would sit tests on:
basic mechanical knowledge
ability to recall information
reaction times
concentration skills.
If you pass these tests, you go on to the interview stage.
You will also have to pass a medical, which will test your fitness levels, eyesight, colour vision and hearing. Employers have strict rules on drug and alcohol abuse, and can carry out random screening at any time.
Overseas rail qualifications are not recognised in the UK. You will have to follow the same application process as UK candidates.
See the GoSkills websites for more details about rail transport careers and contacts for train operating companies.
What further training and development can I do?
Your training period would normally last between nine and 18 months. Some of your training may take place in a cab simulator, which recreates real-life situations such as trackside hazards, bad weather or mechanical failure.
Your training would be split into four stages:
Rules and Regulations – driver cab controls, signalling systems and track safety
Traction Knowledge – engine layout, safety systems and fault identification
Train Handling – 200 to 300 hours' practical driving skills, including night driving
Route Knowledge – route information, such as braking distances, speed restrictions and signal positions (you can only drive on routes you have been assessed on, so you would continue to learn more routes once you qualify).
You must complete assessments at the end of each stage to fully qualify as a train driver.
You would also complete a Personal Track Safety (PTS) certificate during the training period.
You could take on-the-job qualifications like the NVQ Level 2 in Rail Transport Operations (Driving) or NVQ Level 2 in Rail Transport Operations (Shunting).
A driving standards manager would regularly assess your driving skills throughout your career.
You can apply directly to train operating companies for information about vacancies. Alternatively, you could start work in the rail service in another job, for example, as part of the station staff or maintenance crews, and then apply for trainee driver posts when they come up. Train companies often promote from within.
You normally have to be at least 21 to work as a train driver on the national rail network. If you are aged between 18 and 21, you may be able to train and work in yards and depots away from passenger lines. To work on the London Undergound you must be at least 18.
If you are successful in your initial application with a company, you will be invited to a training centre where you would sit tests on:
basic mechanical knowledge
ability to recall information
reaction times
concentration skills.
If you pass these tests, you go on to the interview stage.
You will also have to pass a medical, which will test your fitness levels, eyesight, colour vision and hearing. Employers have strict rules on drug and alcohol abuse, and can carry out random screening at any time.
Overseas rail qualifications are not recognised in the UK. You will have to follow the same application process as UK candidates.
See the GoSkills websites for more details about rail transport careers and contacts for train operating companies.
What further training and development can I do?
Your training period would normally last between nine and 18 months. Some of your training may take place in a cab simulator, which recreates real-life situations such as trackside hazards, bad weather or mechanical failure.
Your training would be split into four stages:
Rules and Regulations – driver cab controls, signalling systems and track safety
Traction Knowledge – engine layout, safety systems and fault identification
Train Handling – 200 to 300 hours' practical driving skills, including night driving
Route Knowledge – route information, such as braking distances, speed restrictions and signal positions (you can only drive on routes you have been assessed on, so you would continue to learn more routes once you qualify).
You must complete assessments at the end of each stage to fully qualify as a train driver.
You would also complete a Personal Track Safety (PTS) certificate during the training period.
You could take on-the-job qualifications like the NVQ Level 2 in Rail Transport Operations (Driving) or NVQ Level 2 in Rail Transport Operations (Shunting).
A driving standards manager would regularly assess your driving skills throughout your career.
Great Southern Railway Jobs
We have an ongoing recruitment process seeking quality hospitality professionals to work on board our trains; The Ghan, Indian Pacific and The Overland. All on board staff members must be based in Adelaide and be flexible with regards to working away from home. Applicants must hold a current Senior First Aid certificate and be able to obtain a Police Clearance. Please send your resume to employment@gsr.com.au.
Railway Advertising Job Opportunities
In order for a railway line to run effectively, there needs to be a full staff in the rail car and at the rail station. Indeed, without a full complement of personnel, a railway in the UK cannot run efficiently. Railways need to have train drivers, attendants to provide customer service, and engineering personnel in order to deal with problems in the middle of a trip. At the station, a railway needs to have ticket agents, security, and mechanics to deal with the various problems that an incoming train may have. The railway is a people-powered business and it is important to fill vacancies immediately.
However, managers and human resources personnel at railways may not be familiar with the best ways to advertise employment opportunities. Many railway professionals come through recruiting firms or through civil service opportunities, which allow an easy pipeline to new talent. While these methods are effective, railways need to learn how to advertise railway employment opportunities effectively. Self reliance in railway hiring is not only important as a competitive tool but it maintains the financial bottom line by cutting consulting fees.
The first step in effective advertisement for railway work is to promote the lifestyle of the railway. When young professionals think of train travel, they may have a view of train cars cutting through the countryside on their way from one small town to another. This view is an important recruiting tool because it is a perk of being on the railway. Employment opportunities should be couched in language that promotes the travel perks of working on the railway.
Another important step for advertising railway vacancies is to emphasise the importance of railway work in the UK. While many people have chosen to travel by bus or automobile the last few decades, the railway is still a vital part of the UK economy. Graduates and young professionals may be leery about the future of the railway, as they may not have travelled by train in a long time. Advertisements should point out that rail is still the preferred manner of transport for millions and used by corporations to move finished products.
Finally, no employment advertisement is complete without financial particulars like wages and benefits. Workers may be impressed by the future of the railway or the opportunity to travel but often choosing a railway job comes down to tangible benefits. Advertisements for railway employment opportunities should include this information toward the end, as it is a fitting conclusion to an online or newspaper ad.
However, managers and human resources personnel at railways may not be familiar with the best ways to advertise employment opportunities. Many railway professionals come through recruiting firms or through civil service opportunities, which allow an easy pipeline to new talent. While these methods are effective, railways need to learn how to advertise railway employment opportunities effectively. Self reliance in railway hiring is not only important as a competitive tool but it maintains the financial bottom line by cutting consulting fees.
The first step in effective advertisement for railway work is to promote the lifestyle of the railway. When young professionals think of train travel, they may have a view of train cars cutting through the countryside on their way from one small town to another. This view is an important recruiting tool because it is a perk of being on the railway. Employment opportunities should be couched in language that promotes the travel perks of working on the railway.
Another important step for advertising railway vacancies is to emphasise the importance of railway work in the UK. While many people have chosen to travel by bus or automobile the last few decades, the railway is still a vital part of the UK economy. Graduates and young professionals may be leery about the future of the railway, as they may not have travelled by train in a long time. Advertisements should point out that rail is still the preferred manner of transport for millions and used by corporations to move finished products.
Finally, no employment advertisement is complete without financial particulars like wages and benefits. Workers may be impressed by the future of the railway or the opportunity to travel but often choosing a railway job comes down to tangible benefits. Advertisements for railway employment opportunities should include this information toward the end, as it is a fitting conclusion to an online or newspaper ad.
Advertising Railway Recruitment
In order for a railway line to run effectively, there needs to be a full staff in the rail car and at the rail station. Indeed, without a full complement of personnel, a railway in the UK cannot run efficiently. Railways need to have train drivers, attendants to provide customer service, and engineering personnel in order to deal with problems in the middle of a trip. At the station, a railway needs to have ticket agents, security, and mechanics to deal with the various problems that an incoming train may have. The railway is a people-powered business and it is important to fill vacancies immediately.
However, managers and human resources personnel at railways may not be familiar with the best ways to advertise employment opportunities. Many railway professionals come through recruiting firms or through civil service opportunities, which allow an easy pipeline to new talent. While these methods are effective, railways need to learn how to advertise railway employment opportunities effectively. Self reliance in railway hiring is not only important as a competitive tool but it maintains the financial bottom line by cutting consulting fees.
The first step in effective advertisement for railway work is to promote the lifestyle of the railway. When young professionals think of train travel, they may have a view of train cars cutting through the countryside on their way from one small town to another. This view is an important recruiting tool because it is a perk of being on the railway. Employment opportunities should be couched in language that promotes the travel perks of working on the railway.
Another important step for advertising railway vacancies is to emphasise the importance of railway work in the UK. While many people have chosen to travel by bus or automobile the last few decades, the railway is still a vital part of the UK economy. Graduates and young professionals may be leery about the future of the railway, as they may not have travelled by train in a long time. Advertisements should point out that rail is still the preferred manner of transport for millions and used by corporations to move finished products.
Finally, no employment advertisement is complete without financial particulars like wages and benefits. Workers may be impressed by the future of the railway or the opportunity to travel but often choosing a railway job comes down to tangible benefits. Advertisements for railway employment opportunities should include this information toward the end, as it is a fitting conclusion to an online or newspaper ad.
However, managers and human resources personnel at railways may not be familiar with the best ways to advertise employment opportunities. Many railway professionals come through recruiting firms or through civil service opportunities, which allow an easy pipeline to new talent. While these methods are effective, railways need to learn how to advertise railway employment opportunities effectively. Self reliance in railway hiring is not only important as a competitive tool but it maintains the financial bottom line by cutting consulting fees.
The first step in effective advertisement for railway work is to promote the lifestyle of the railway. When young professionals think of train travel, they may have a view of train cars cutting through the countryside on their way from one small town to another. This view is an important recruiting tool because it is a perk of being on the railway. Employment opportunities should be couched in language that promotes the travel perks of working on the railway.
Another important step for advertising railway vacancies is to emphasise the importance of railway work in the UK. While many people have chosen to travel by bus or automobile the last few decades, the railway is still a vital part of the UK economy. Graduates and young professionals may be leery about the future of the railway, as they may not have travelled by train in a long time. Advertisements should point out that rail is still the preferred manner of transport for millions and used by corporations to move finished products.
Finally, no employment advertisement is complete without financial particulars like wages and benefits. Workers may be impressed by the future of the railway or the opportunity to travel but often choosing a railway job comes down to tangible benefits. Advertisements for railway employment opportunities should include this information toward the end, as it is a fitting conclusion to an online or newspaper ad.
Recruitment Services
At Wynnwith Group we pride ourselves on being one of the premier recruitment firms in the world and we have been in business since 1973. Our recruitment experts serve employers and candidates for employment not just in the United Kingdom, but in many other countries. We work in many different areas such as Aviation Recruitment and Rail Recruitment For example, if you are a candidate for Railroad Jobs we have the specialists on our staff that can help you find the ones that fit your needs.
Wynnwith Rail is one of our sections that have over 30 years of experience in locating and filling Railroad Jobs. We have established a great reputation for placing the right people in the right jobs and as a result many companies that seek top employees come to us to fill their Rail Recruitment needs. These include Train Jobs and other Railway Jobs. This puts us in a wonderful position to help you as a job seeker.
If you visit our website you can see a list of the jobs that we are currently looking to fill and this list is constantly updated. This list will include Railroad Jobs of all types and you may soon find ones that interest you. Then you can quickly and easily register your CV with us and we will assist you in applying for the job you want. If you don’t see anything you can still register your CV with us and we will actively search for the job you want.
You will be contacted by one of our Rail Recruitment experts who will discuss your current employment and what you are looking for in the way of compensation and other benefits at a new position. We can search for part time Railway Jobs, full time positions, and contract positions depending on what you tell us you want. We can also look for Train Jobs or other Railroad Jobs in the area where you currently live and work or in any other area where you might be willing to move to.
It doesn’t matter where you are in your career; we can help you find entry level Railroad Jobs or Train Jobs that will allow you to make a good career move. You don’t have to stay in a position that you find unrewarding and unfulfilling. At Wynnwith Rail we specialize in helping people enhance their careers. Our Rail Recruitment specialists are experts at monitoring the job markets all over the United Kingdom and throughout the world. We know when and where the best jobs are opening up and we can help you get the one that fits your specifications. We can even help you prepare for the interview.
There are many recruitment firms that make extravagant promises that they can’t keep. However, when you work with the team of Rail Recruitment experts at Wynnwith Rail you will know you will have the help of one of the most respected recruitment companies in the world. We will leave no stone unturned to help you.
Wynnwith Rail is one of our sections that have over 30 years of experience in locating and filling Railroad Jobs. We have established a great reputation for placing the right people in the right jobs and as a result many companies that seek top employees come to us to fill their Rail Recruitment needs. These include Train Jobs and other Railway Jobs. This puts us in a wonderful position to help you as a job seeker.
If you visit our website you can see a list of the jobs that we are currently looking to fill and this list is constantly updated. This list will include Railroad Jobs of all types and you may soon find ones that interest you. Then you can quickly and easily register your CV with us and we will assist you in applying for the job you want. If you don’t see anything you can still register your CV with us and we will actively search for the job you want.
You will be contacted by one of our Rail Recruitment experts who will discuss your current employment and what you are looking for in the way of compensation and other benefits at a new position. We can search for part time Railway Jobs, full time positions, and contract positions depending on what you tell us you want. We can also look for Train Jobs or other Railroad Jobs in the area where you currently live and work or in any other area where you might be willing to move to.
It doesn’t matter where you are in your career; we can help you find entry level Railroad Jobs or Train Jobs that will allow you to make a good career move. You don’t have to stay in a position that you find unrewarding and unfulfilling. At Wynnwith Rail we specialize in helping people enhance their careers. Our Rail Recruitment specialists are experts at monitoring the job markets all over the United Kingdom and throughout the world. We know when and where the best jobs are opening up and we can help you get the one that fits your specifications. We can even help you prepare for the interview.
There are many recruitment firms that make extravagant promises that they can’t keep. However, when you work with the team of Rail Recruitment experts at Wynnwith Rail you will know you will have the help of one of the most respected recruitment companies in the world. We will leave no stone unturned to help you.
Essex Railway Jobs
Have you ever looked out into one of the many empty but picturesque fields that sprawl across the county that is Essex? Flying through the Constablian scenery on your way to an urgent business appointment, have you ever pondered the rich heritage that Essex oozes? This article examines the history of Essex jobs and specific sites of employment which are embedded in the culture of Essex.
Essex jobs have always been abundant and not just because of its close proximity to the capital. It has been a place of industry and agriculture, none more prevalent than the bay and say trade otherwise known as the wool industry. Bay and Say was the name given to a certain type of wool woven by Flemish settlers from the beginning of the fourteenth century.
The original settlers came over from Bruges to Harwich and then settled around Braintree, Halstead and Dedham. Edward III encouraged this practice increasing Essex jobs, as the Flemings brought with them their art of weaving which the monarch encouraged them to teach throughout the county. The chief influx of Flemmings came around 1570 in the middle of the reign of Elizabeth I.
The clothing towns were Colchester, Braintree, Coggeshall, Bocking, Halstead, and Dedham, employing some 60, 000 families were employed in Essex jobs as spinners, weavers and combers. This industry flourished until the latter part of the eighteenth century as it is thought that the nationalisation of gunpowder, shipbuilding and increasing colonial ambitions saw it loose precedence.
Gunpowder was produced in Essex as early as 1560 in Waltham Abbey and became a major industry. After the government acquired the works in 1787 production increased considerably. By 1900 it had created 1200 Essex jobs and produced a large amount of the national requirements for Gunpowder. Around this period there was a development which would change the face of Essex and the entire country forever.
This was of course the introduction of the railway system. This meant that agricultural goods such as milk and garden produce could transported more effectively to the lucrative markets of London. This did also create problems for certain specific Essex jobs such as the production of salt via sea water evaporation and the manufacturing of cheese and hops, as it opened East Anglia up for produce from other parts of the country.
Essex was famous throughout the world for the production of crepe and silk. Various monarchs obtained their garments and ceremonial robes from different towns in Essex including Braintree, Bocking, Halstead, and Earls Colne. 2000 Essex jobs were created by this industry and the crepe in Braintree was known throughout the world.
Places closer to London such as Walthamstow created Essex jobs in industry sectors such as copper-rolling and from 1807 to 1845 the British Copper Company had the main works there leading to the naming of one of the roads as Coppermill Lane. Shipbuilding on the Thames was another lucrative industry that gradually declined however Essex jobs were created in other areas such as steel works.
Essex jobs have always been diverse in nature from cottage industry to nationalised manufacturing and some areas of Essex have gained worldwide acclaim in the areas of expertise. With the current economic climate one has to ask the question if Essex jobs will be so abundant in the next century
Essex jobs have always been abundant and not just because of its close proximity to the capital. It has been a place of industry and agriculture, none more prevalent than the bay and say trade otherwise known as the wool industry. Bay and Say was the name given to a certain type of wool woven by Flemish settlers from the beginning of the fourteenth century.
The original settlers came over from Bruges to Harwich and then settled around Braintree, Halstead and Dedham. Edward III encouraged this practice increasing Essex jobs, as the Flemings brought with them their art of weaving which the monarch encouraged them to teach throughout the county. The chief influx of Flemmings came around 1570 in the middle of the reign of Elizabeth I.
The clothing towns were Colchester, Braintree, Coggeshall, Bocking, Halstead, and Dedham, employing some 60, 000 families were employed in Essex jobs as spinners, weavers and combers. This industry flourished until the latter part of the eighteenth century as it is thought that the nationalisation of gunpowder, shipbuilding and increasing colonial ambitions saw it loose precedence.
Gunpowder was produced in Essex as early as 1560 in Waltham Abbey and became a major industry. After the government acquired the works in 1787 production increased considerably. By 1900 it had created 1200 Essex jobs and produced a large amount of the national requirements for Gunpowder. Around this period there was a development which would change the face of Essex and the entire country forever.
This was of course the introduction of the railway system. This meant that agricultural goods such as milk and garden produce could transported more effectively to the lucrative markets of London. This did also create problems for certain specific Essex jobs such as the production of salt via sea water evaporation and the manufacturing of cheese and hops, as it opened East Anglia up for produce from other parts of the country.
Essex was famous throughout the world for the production of crepe and silk. Various monarchs obtained their garments and ceremonial robes from different towns in Essex including Braintree, Bocking, Halstead, and Earls Colne. 2000 Essex jobs were created by this industry and the crepe in Braintree was known throughout the world.
Places closer to London such as Walthamstow created Essex jobs in industry sectors such as copper-rolling and from 1807 to 1845 the British Copper Company had the main works there leading to the naming of one of the roads as Coppermill Lane. Shipbuilding on the Thames was another lucrative industry that gradually declined however Essex jobs were created in other areas such as steel works.
Essex jobs have always been diverse in nature from cottage industry to nationalised manufacturing and some areas of Essex have gained worldwide acclaim in the areas of expertise. With the current economic climate one has to ask the question if Essex jobs will be so abundant in the next century
Railway Industry
In spite of the pressure placed on businesses across the country by the current 'credit crunch', the UK's rail industry seems to be enjoying a renaissance that will define it as one of the major rail industries in Europe, if not, the world. The government is continuing to invest huge sums into the improvement of existing rail networks and is dedicated to providing a 'greener' service by the year 2014, aiming to bring carbon emissions down to an absolute minimum, whilst looking at factors such as trackside biodiversity, reduced intrusion on communities and their landscapes, air quality, noise and vibration levels. There is even research into rainwater harvesting and the use of photovoltaic cells to generate electricity from the sun's rays.
The increase in fuel prices is doing what the government could not and is turning people to the trains for transport to and from work. In addition, with a larger portion of Britons deciding to holiday at home, there is a steady increase in rail use for holiday travel. The UK's rail industry appears to be an impressively sustainable form as transport, one of which that has a major impact on the nation's economy. As well as transporting commuters and holiday-makers, it also devotes a significant portion of its services to freight and industrial transport. Major international operators look to the UK's rail industry for guidance for rail structure and expertise on minimising the environmental impact of such a vast and efficient system.
As the rail industry strives to meet public and legislative demands, the demands of its staff grow with it. As the service grows more varied, so too do the types of rail vacancies; as well as the more traditional rail jobs on the market, such as engineering posts, planners, electricians, schedulers and IT operatives, there are now posts surfacing for jobs such as research scientists, environmental specialists, technical strategists and technological consultants.
These jobs offer opportunities for skilled workers already in the industry, as well as newly-qualified graduates. Compared to most other industries of this size, staff turnovers are relatively low, with management preferring to allow jobs to evolve with the system, but its continued expansion means that the opportunities for new recruits in all aspects of the rail industry are consistently significant.
Another aspect of the rail industry's size is the location of jobs for employees. With over 100 of the UK's networks having been privatised, there are rail jobs available right across the country, from regional head offices and stations to travelling engineers and technical experts. Obviously the capital employs a vast section of the country's workforce, but the quantity and quality of jobs to be found in the rail industry across the UK does seem to fly in the face of the predicted recession. In addition, wages seem to remain unaffected by the current economic climate - perhaps reflecting the industry's potential as a lifeline to commuters and commercial goods during hard times.
Finding the right job in the rail industry requires a little acumen, as there are a vast number of posts available, many of which are not immediately obvious to those seeking work in this remarkably resilient industry. In this case, it is worth seeking advice from recruitment consultants to ensure that your skills and qualifications are considered by the right people.
The increase in fuel prices is doing what the government could not and is turning people to the trains for transport to and from work. In addition, with a larger portion of Britons deciding to holiday at home, there is a steady increase in rail use for holiday travel. The UK's rail industry appears to be an impressively sustainable form as transport, one of which that has a major impact on the nation's economy. As well as transporting commuters and holiday-makers, it also devotes a significant portion of its services to freight and industrial transport. Major international operators look to the UK's rail industry for guidance for rail structure and expertise on minimising the environmental impact of such a vast and efficient system.
As the rail industry strives to meet public and legislative demands, the demands of its staff grow with it. As the service grows more varied, so too do the types of rail vacancies; as well as the more traditional rail jobs on the market, such as engineering posts, planners, electricians, schedulers and IT operatives, there are now posts surfacing for jobs such as research scientists, environmental specialists, technical strategists and technological consultants.
These jobs offer opportunities for skilled workers already in the industry, as well as newly-qualified graduates. Compared to most other industries of this size, staff turnovers are relatively low, with management preferring to allow jobs to evolve with the system, but its continued expansion means that the opportunities for new recruits in all aspects of the rail industry are consistently significant.
Another aspect of the rail industry's size is the location of jobs for employees. With over 100 of the UK's networks having been privatised, there are rail jobs available right across the country, from regional head offices and stations to travelling engineers and technical experts. Obviously the capital employs a vast section of the country's workforce, but the quantity and quality of jobs to be found in the rail industry across the UK does seem to fly in the face of the predicted recession. In addition, wages seem to remain unaffected by the current economic climate - perhaps reflecting the industry's potential as a lifeline to commuters and commercial goods during hard times.
Finding the right job in the rail industry requires a little acumen, as there are a vast number of posts available, many of which are not immediately obvious to those seeking work in this remarkably resilient industry. In this case, it is worth seeking advice from recruitment consultants to ensure that your skills and qualifications are considered by the right people.
What you need to know working in railways
Employer-employee relation is another name for industrial relations in the academic world. It is a system of communication between the employer and the employee, which seeks to maintain and develop work productivity, motivation and morale.
Contrary to common misconception, employer-employee relation is not limited to underlying unions or collective bargaining issues but also covers over-all employee management and the employee’s relationship towards his employer, i. e., the boss.
Employer-employee relation is governed by existing labor laws, related jurisprudence and administrative rules and regulations on the matter.
Labor laws on the other hand consist of federal law, state law and judicial decisions.
The laws are primarily focused oh the relationship between employers and employee who, for practical reasons, group themselves into union for more effective bargaining power. Employees are granted by these laws the right to unionize, picket and strike while employers are granted the right to seek injunction and lockouts.
In the US, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) hears relationship disputes between the employer and the employee or their union. It is also the NLRB, which determines which union will represent an employees’ unit.
But for those whose employer-employee relations are not governed by the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), NLRB cannot exercise jurisdiction over them. However, they may bring their disputes for resolution under other federal and state laws.
For those who belong to the railway and airline industries, their employer-employee relations are governed not by the NLRA but by the Railway Labor Act.
For public employees in federal government agencies, their relations are governed by the Federal Labor Relations Authority.
To those who have been taken advantage by their employers, they may invoke the provision of the law. Issues that usually arise out of this employer-employee relationship include, but not limited to, the following:
• Hours of work
• Overtime pay
• Benefits
• Working conditions
In the State of California, the employer-employee relations between the state and the employees are specifically dealt with under the California Government Code. The law seeks to promote full communication between the state and its employees by providing a reasonable method of resolving disputes regarding:
• Wages
• Hours or work
• Other terms and conditions of employment
The law also promotes the improvement of personnel management and employer-employee relations within the State of California by providing a uniform basis to recognize the right of state employees in joining organizations of their own choosing and to be represented by those organizations in their employment relations with the state.
Some of the counties in California follow suit by having their own employer-employee relations policy or rules and regulations to govern the relations between the county and its employees. Some of them include the counties of San Mateo, Solano, San Joaquin and Humboldt County.
Contrary to common misconception, employer-employee relation is not limited to underlying unions or collective bargaining issues but also covers over-all employee management and the employee’s relationship towards his employer, i. e., the boss.
Employer-employee relation is governed by existing labor laws, related jurisprudence and administrative rules and regulations on the matter.
Labor laws on the other hand consist of federal law, state law and judicial decisions.
The laws are primarily focused oh the relationship between employers and employee who, for practical reasons, group themselves into union for more effective bargaining power. Employees are granted by these laws the right to unionize, picket and strike while employers are granted the right to seek injunction and lockouts.
In the US, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) hears relationship disputes between the employer and the employee or their union. It is also the NLRB, which determines which union will represent an employees’ unit.
But for those whose employer-employee relations are not governed by the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), NLRB cannot exercise jurisdiction over them. However, they may bring their disputes for resolution under other federal and state laws.
For those who belong to the railway and airline industries, their employer-employee relations are governed not by the NLRA but by the Railway Labor Act.
For public employees in federal government agencies, their relations are governed by the Federal Labor Relations Authority.
To those who have been taken advantage by their employers, they may invoke the provision of the law. Issues that usually arise out of this employer-employee relationship include, but not limited to, the following:
• Hours of work
• Overtime pay
• Benefits
• Working conditions
In the State of California, the employer-employee relations between the state and the employees are specifically dealt with under the California Government Code. The law seeks to promote full communication between the state and its employees by providing a reasonable method of resolving disputes regarding:
• Wages
• Hours or work
• Other terms and conditions of employment
The law also promotes the improvement of personnel management and employer-employee relations within the State of California by providing a uniform basis to recognize the right of state employees in joining organizations of their own choosing and to be represented by those organizations in their employment relations with the state.
Some of the counties in California follow suit by having their own employer-employee relations policy or rules and regulations to govern the relations between the county and its employees. Some of them include the counties of San Mateo, Solano, San Joaquin and Humboldt County.
Railway employment
Despite the existence of many other types of transportation, many jobs can still be found in the railway industry in 2008. A simple web search turns up many sites advertising for rail jobs, railroad jobs, or railway jobs worldwide. The positions range from traditional train oriented jobs to more clerical ones in the train lines' offices. As with any other industry, pay ranges from a volunteer job or internship to a full time career complete with salary and benefits. In the United States, we expect the trend of train travel to grow as more people are using trains to commute to and from work as well as travel on leisure time.
Many regional and tourist railroads, which generally operate on small sections of track no longer used for shipping freight, hire volunteers at first. These rail jobs range from office workers who set up the tours on the trains to the engineers on the trains themselves and costumed conductors who ride the train with the guests. The organizational staff in the office answers the telephone, helping to book special events like birthday parties on the train as well as selling tickets to regularly scheduled excursions and answering guests' questions about the events. Some of these volunteers later earn their way into paid positions as ridership increases and they have remained with the railway for a few seasons. The guests of these scenic railways enjoy talking with the costumed conductors and the other workers who ride along. Some of the workers are purely train enthusiasts who take the excursions and narrate tours for guests, while others are paid historians who write the narrations.
Naturally, both the tourist trains and the large passenger and freight systems do hire people of the same job descriptions. Both types of railways need engineers to operate the trains. These essential railway jobs, of course, would receive higher pay and benefits due to the vast amounts of training that the applicant would need to possess to do the jobs. e.g. a person wishing to become a locomotive engineer will often train first as a brakeman or conductor while learning to operate the train during the period of on the job and classroom training. This specialized training is only allowed to be completed by men and women at least 21 years of age who are in good physical health who have graduated high school. As of 1992, engineers for trains are only certified when they prove that they not only handle trains safely, but also possess clean driving records with other vehicles, are drug and alcohol free, and have the necessary visual and hearing acuity in addition to having successfully completed all of the training and testing set forth by the government.
Mechanics to keep the trains in working order are also necessary for the survival of the railways. Because of the nature and size of a train engine, prior training in diesel mechanics is crucial for those wishing to work in this field. This rail job also requires at least a high school education to enter into training and once the applicant has trained for it, he or she can become employed full or part time repairing the engines. A logical way to begin training for this type of position could even include studying engine maintenance and repair at a technical school while attending high school, moving on to more specialized training and apprenticeships in train engine repair after graduating from the technical school.
Without track construction and maintenance, no passengers or freight could arrive at their destinations on time. This line of work encompasses many people, from those who inspect the tracks and train cars for safety to those who do the actual construction and repair. Project managers with specialized companies perform the inspections and recommend how the rail company should clean the track or detail what parts of the track need to be repaired and how in order to keep functioning. Some of these companies also rent to the railroads the tools necessary to perform these tasks. Inspections are tailored to each railroad based on what it transports and how frequently trains run on each track. These inspectors, and the planners who design the railways, must take training in civil engineering to learn how to plan out the rails and bridges to be safe in the area in which they are built before giving the plans to the people who will execute them. Both on paper and in the building, the tracks need to be horizontally and vertically set for the type of terrain the train will travel to make its journeys efficient and save the railroad money on operating costs. The inspectors and repairmen on the line must be highly skilled at fixing only what needs it at the time to preserve this efficiency as well.
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Many regional and tourist railroads, which generally operate on small sections of track no longer used for shipping freight, hire volunteers at first. These rail jobs range from office workers who set up the tours on the trains to the engineers on the trains themselves and costumed conductors who ride the train with the guests. The organizational staff in the office answers the telephone, helping to book special events like birthday parties on the train as well as selling tickets to regularly scheduled excursions and answering guests' questions about the events. Some of these volunteers later earn their way into paid positions as ridership increases and they have remained with the railway for a few seasons. The guests of these scenic railways enjoy talking with the costumed conductors and the other workers who ride along. Some of the workers are purely train enthusiasts who take the excursions and narrate tours for guests, while others are paid historians who write the narrations.
Naturally, both the tourist trains and the large passenger and freight systems do hire people of the same job descriptions. Both types of railways need engineers to operate the trains. These essential railway jobs, of course, would receive higher pay and benefits due to the vast amounts of training that the applicant would need to possess to do the jobs. e.g. a person wishing to become a locomotive engineer will often train first as a brakeman or conductor while learning to operate the train during the period of on the job and classroom training. This specialized training is only allowed to be completed by men and women at least 21 years of age who are in good physical health who have graduated high school. As of 1992, engineers for trains are only certified when they prove that they not only handle trains safely, but also possess clean driving records with other vehicles, are drug and alcohol free, and have the necessary visual and hearing acuity in addition to having successfully completed all of the training and testing set forth by the government.
Mechanics to keep the trains in working order are also necessary for the survival of the railways. Because of the nature and size of a train engine, prior training in diesel mechanics is crucial for those wishing to work in this field. This rail job also requires at least a high school education to enter into training and once the applicant has trained for it, he or she can become employed full or part time repairing the engines. A logical way to begin training for this type of position could even include studying engine maintenance and repair at a technical school while attending high school, moving on to more specialized training and apprenticeships in train engine repair after graduating from the technical school.
Without track construction and maintenance, no passengers or freight could arrive at their destinations on time. This line of work encompasses many people, from those who inspect the tracks and train cars for safety to those who do the actual construction and repair. Project managers with specialized companies perform the inspections and recommend how the rail company should clean the track or detail what parts of the track need to be repaired and how in order to keep functioning. Some of these companies also rent to the railroads the tools necessary to perform these tasks. Inspections are tailored to each railroad based on what it transports and how frequently trains run on each track. These inspectors, and the planners who design the railways, must take training in civil engineering to learn how to plan out the rails and bridges to be safe in the area in which they are built before giving the plans to the people who will execute them. Both on paper and in the building, the tracks need to be horizontally and vertically set for the type of terrain the train will travel to make its journeys efficient and save the railroad money on operating costs. The inspectors and repairmen on the line must be highly skilled at fixing only what needs it at the time to preserve this efficiency as well.
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India RAILWAYS
India’s trains are a shining legacy of the British Raj, a track record of which they can be proud. The railway system unified India as little else did, sparking economic development and social sharing. The system of rails that ran from Calcutta to the Khyber Pass provided employment, training and a way of life for thousands upon thousands of Indians. The development of a railway system necessitated the construction of thousands of miles of steel tracks which sparked industrial development, galvanized the iron and steel producing industry. Trains became social levelers which broke down caste as millions shared crowded quarters. Trains facilitated the movement of vast numbers of Muslims who moved to Pakistan and millions of Hindus who moved to India.
Without the railway system the present economic boom in India would never have taken place. The British Raj left behind an efficient and smoothly operating infrastructure, India Railway, second to none in the world!
Sound familiar?
True? It depends on who writes the history
Without the railway system the present economic boom in India would never have taken place. The British Raj left behind an efficient and smoothly operating infrastructure, India Railway, second to none in the world!
Sound familiar?
True? It depends on who writes the history
Railway Employment
Name and Address of Company: Government of India (Ministry of Railways) Railway Recruitment Board (RRB), Thiruvananthapuram Thampanoor, Thiruvananthapuram - 695001 E-mail : crrbsc@hotmail.com Website : www.rrbthiruvananthapuram.net Indian Railways Centralised Employment Notice No. 01/2008 Applications in the prescribed format are invited from eligibile Indian Nationals for filling up of posts by Railway Recruitment Boards on Zonal Railways/Production Unites. Application should be sent directly to the respective RRBs and not to RRB Thiruvananthapuram. 1. RRB Ajmer  1.1. Staff Nurse : 14 posts, Pay Scale : Rs. 5000-8000, Age : 20-40  1.2. Pharmacist : 08 posts, Pay Scale : Rs. 4500-7000, Age : 20-35  1.3. Lab Assistant Gr.II : 08 posts, Pay Scale : Rs. 3200-4900, Age : 18-33  1.4. Health & Malaria Inspector Gr.III: 39 posts, Pay Scale : Rs. 5500-9000, Age : 18-33 Visit http://www.rrbajmer.org/ for further information. Applications to be Addressed to The Assistant Secretary, Ra...
Santa Fe Railway
Ever see the movie Gattaca? One of my favorites. In the movie, the main character cannot realize his dream to become an astronaut, becuase his genes are sub-par. An op-ed in the Seattle Times discusses the issue, and brings to light a case where a company has already begun researching a genetic correlation with job-related injuries:
A couple of years ago, the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway tested the genes of injured workers, without their permission, to try to detect a genetic predisposition to carpal tunnel syndrome. The railway, apparently, was looking for a way to avoid workman’s compensation claims by using an unproven genetic test. Only media coverage and action by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission stifled those threats.
A couple of years ago, the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway tested the genes of injured workers, without their permission, to try to detect a genetic predisposition to carpal tunnel syndrome. The railway, apparently, was looking for a way to avoid workman’s compensation claims by using an unproven genetic test. Only media coverage and action by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission stifled those threats.
The Railway
The chances of you having a Victorian relative who worked on the railways is pretty high.
Railways were THE growth industry of the mid-late nineteenth century with even tiny villages being connected to the ever-increasing rail network.
The North West was at the centre of this burgeoning industry with the Rainhill trials, the Liverpool-Manchester railway and the huge amount of construction work in and around Liverpool.
Porters, platelayers, signalmen, guards, drivers, wheeltappers, coach builders, drivers, firemen, engineers . . . there was a plethora of occupations connected with the railways. And of course there were the people who built them - thousands of (mainly Irish) navvies laid mile upon mile of track at an astonishing speed. The pace of change must have been truly amazing for people who had been born in the eighteenth century. The sight of a locomotive charging through the countryside at (then) unimaginable speeds, linking towns within hours, must have been truly mind-blowing.
There are some very useful on-line resources and many publications which can help you track your railway ancestors. However, there is no national database of records and where they survive, staff records will be found in local or society collections.
You can start your research at http://www.railwayancestors.org.uk/
Railways were THE growth industry of the mid-late nineteenth century with even tiny villages being connected to the ever-increasing rail network.
The North West was at the centre of this burgeoning industry with the Rainhill trials, the Liverpool-Manchester railway and the huge amount of construction work in and around Liverpool.
Porters, platelayers, signalmen, guards, drivers, wheeltappers, coach builders, drivers, firemen, engineers . . . there was a plethora of occupations connected with the railways. And of course there were the people who built them - thousands of (mainly Irish) navvies laid mile upon mile of track at an astonishing speed. The pace of change must have been truly amazing for people who had been born in the eighteenth century. The sight of a locomotive charging through the countryside at (then) unimaginable speeds, linking towns within hours, must have been truly mind-blowing.
There are some very useful on-line resources and many publications which can help you track your railway ancestors. However, there is no national database of records and where they survive, staff records will be found in local or society collections.
You can start your research at http://www.railwayancestors.org.uk/
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