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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Ensure trains depart safely and on time while providing exceptional customer service.
- Company: Join Network Rail, a vital part of the UK's transport system, connecting millions daily.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days holiday, discounts on travel, and flexible working options.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team at Birmingham's busiest station, making a real impact.
- Qualifications: Fluent English, strong customer service skills, and ability to work shifts required.
- Other info: Training starts on 5th January 2026; apply by 18th August 2025.
The predicted salary is between 25000 - 36000 £ per year.
Department Name
OZ Property Operations/National Stations/Birmingham (752359) G5
Location
Birmingham, GB
Department Name
OZ Property Operations/National Stations/Birmingham (752359) G5
About Network Rail
Join Network Rail – Where People and Connections Matter
At Network Rail, we\’re dedicated to keeping passengers and freight moving safely and efficiently across the country. When you join us, you\’re not just part of a team – you\’re part of something that matters to millions. We believe that our people are at the heart of what we do, and every role plays a vital part in building a better, more connected railway. Click here to learn more.
We\’re committed to creating a diverse, inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve. To discover more about our ED&I commitments click here. We value flexibility and understand the importance of a healthy work-life balance. As a Disability Confident Leader, we\’ll do everything we can to accommodate any needs throughout the recruitment process.
If you\’re ready to make a real difference, we\’d love to hear from you!
Brief Description
Central route is at the heart of Britain’s railway. The route covers a major part of the national rail network and is a key commuter line in and out of Birmingham, with hundreds of thousands of passengers, and thousands of tonnes of freight carried within our route each week. Within our route is the Chiltern Main Line between London Marylebone and the West Midlands, the Snow Hill line from Stratford-upon-Avon to Worcester, the Cross City line in Birmingham, and lines to other cities including Wolverhampton, Coventry, Walsall, and Oxford.
We are home to Birmingham New Street station, the busiest station outside of London with more than 170,000 passengers using it every day.
About The Role (External)
Please note internally this role is known as a Platform Assistant.
What will you be doing?
As a Platform Assistant at Birmingham New Street Station, you will be responsible for ensuring trains depart safely and on time, and making sure customers benefit from exceptional service. Our passengers and freight users are at the heart of everything we do. We help connect people to their friends and families and get goods to their destination safely and efficiently. We\’re an organisation where people matter.
As a Platform Assistant you will play a key role in the smooth day-to-day running of Birmingham New Street Station. It’s a highly visible job, in which you’ll be a friendly and informed representative of Network Rail and the British railway. Customers will look to you for accurate and timely information about services. We’ll expect you to ensure trains depart the station safely and on time.
You’ll help to make sure everyone who uses the station does so safely and responsibly. That can include managing some challenging situations. Even when customers might be frustrated due to delays or disruption, you’ll continue to provide excellent customer service. Whatever the weather; whatever your shift; your enthusiasm will shine brightly and because Birmingham New Street is a fast-paced, busy environment, you’ll relish the challenge of thinking on your feet.
In order to be successful in this role, we would like you to have/to be:
- The ability to speak and write English fluently
- A track record of providing first class customer service
- Excellent people skills – from listening and questioning, to building relationships
- Good hearing and eyesight, with normal colour perception
- Able to work shifts including nights and weekends
- Meet the required benchmark for application screening questions
- Must meet required online testing benchmark
This role involves days, nights and weekend working, and is subject to drug and alcohol testing and passing of the relevant medical assessment.
You must also be able to meet the required online testing benchmark score, in order for us to progress with your application.
Please note we onboard our Platform Assistants in cohorts due to the training programme which you will go on if successful, so you must be able to start on the 5th January 2026. This is subject to you successfully completing out onboarding checks and medical.
How To Apply (External)
Salary: £31,790
Closing date: 18th August 2025 . Late applications will not be accepted.
Our benefits:
- 28 days holiday entitlement (plus bank holidays)
- My benefits – our discounted online shopping site
- A range of discounted offers including, childcare vouchers, healthcare offers – cycle to work, healthcare club discounted membership and other benefits
- Subsidies of up to 75% on rail and underground season tickets
- 75% discount on leisure travel
- A choice of contributory pension schemes
- 2 weeks paid reserve leave for our Armed Forces community
- 5 days volunteer leave
Want to look into the benefits further? Find out here
All offers of employment are conditional upon satisfactory completion of a range of pre-employment checks. Click here for more information
We\’re also a Disability Confident Leader employer and we’ll try our best to adapt the process and offer a reasonable alternative to help support people with disabilities access, apply and interview for roles.
Application process:
You will need to apply via our website which will take you to Oracle. Please attach your CV and complete the pre-screening questions at the start of the application process. If you meet the benchmark on the questions, you will be required to complete psychometric tests as part of the process, which are compulsory to pass before a shortlist is then presented to the manager. If you are successful, you will then be invited to an assessment centre on the 8 th or 9 th September, you will be unable to choose date due to volume ensure you are available either day.
Seniority level
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Seniority level
Entry level
Employment type
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Employment type
Full-time
Job function
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Job function
Management and Manufacturing
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Industries
Rail Transportation
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Train Dispatcher employer: Network Rail
Contact Detail:
Network Rail Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Train Dispatcher
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Birmingham New Street Station and its operations. Understanding the layout, peak times, and common challenges faced by platform assistants will give you an edge during interviews and assessments.
✨Tip Number 2
Brush up on your customer service skills. Since this role involves direct interaction with passengers, being able to demonstrate your ability to handle difficult situations and provide excellent service will be crucial.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the psychometric tests by practising similar assessments online. Familiarity with the types of questions asked can help you meet the required benchmark and progress in the application process.
✨Tip Number 4
Be ready to discuss your availability for shifts, including nights and weekends. Showing flexibility and a willingness to work varied hours can make you a more attractive candidate for this role.
We think you need these skills to ace Train Dispatcher
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities of a Platform Assistant. Familiarise yourself with the key tasks such as ensuring trains depart safely and providing excellent customer service.
Tailor Your CV: Customise your CV to highlight relevant experience in customer service and any skills that align with the job description. Emphasise your ability to work in a fast-paced environment and your communication skills.
Prepare for Pre-Screening Questions: Review the pre-screening questions carefully. Prepare concise and relevant answers that demonstrate your suitability for the role, focusing on your experience and how it relates to the job requirements.
Practice Psychometric Tests: Since passing the psychometric tests is compulsory, practice similar tests online. This will help you become familiar with the format and improve your chances of meeting the benchmark score.
How to prepare for a job interview at Network Rail
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Platform Assistant. Familiarise yourself with the key tasks, such as ensuring trains depart safely and on time, and providing excellent customer service. This will help you answer questions confidently and demonstrate your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Showcase Your Customer Service Skills
Since this role heavily relies on customer interaction, be prepared to discuss your previous experiences in customer service. Think of specific examples where you handled challenging situations or provided exceptional service, as this will highlight your suitability for the position.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Abilities
The job can involve managing difficult situations, especially during delays or disruptions. Be ready to share examples of how you've successfully navigated challenges in the past. This will show that you can think on your feet and maintain composure under pressure.
✨Prepare for Shift Work Questions
As the role requires working shifts, including nights and weekends, be prepared to discuss your availability and willingness to work these hours. Showing flexibility and a positive attitude towards shift work can set you apart from other candidates.
