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Railway Station Assistant

Do you want to become a Railway Station Assistant? Here is some information to help point you in the right direction:

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Railway station assistants are based on station platforms. The job includes a range of responsibilities, such as:

• answering questions from travellers
• helping travellers with large luggage, pushchairs and prams
• aiding people with special needs, such as wheelchair users
• checking tickets
• signalling instructions to train drivers
• keeping customers informed about arrivals, delays and platform changes
• selling tickets
• helping passengers to plan their journey.
• keeping the station clean and tidy.

Station assistants work a 35-hour week, plus paid overtime. They work shifts covering days, evenings, nights, weekends and bank holidays.

Some of their time is spent on a station platform, which may be open to the weather, or covered over and heated.

On average, pay starts at around £10,000. A team leader's pay is from around £21,000.

A railway station assistant should:

• be fit and energetic
• have good communication skills
• be friendly and smart
• be patient
• have a good memory.

There are over 2,500 railway stations in the UK, which offers good opportunities.

Some train operating companies ask for four GCSEs/S grades (A-C/1-3); others do not require particular qualifications.

The minimum age is 18, and most companies look for mature people who have experience in other jobs. Some people train through a Foundation Modern Apprenticeship.

Trainees may work towards NVQ/SVQ at Level 2.

Assistants can be promoted to senior ticket inspector, assistant station manager and then station manager. They can also move into work on board trains.

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