Work Experience: Can I Get Some Help?

[captainkman]

Hello everyone,

I am a grade 10 student who needs to do some work experience this year. I was wondering if someone could help me do some with either Queensland Rail or Auran/N3V.

Driving trains or being a guard would be my preferred options, but I'll take almost anything I can get.

I'm not sure what positions N3V has/needs, but I'd like to look into that some more.

If anyone can help me, please do! If you work for QR, please see someone about it!

If you work for N3V, I'd like to know some options for things I could get experience for.

More details can be provided, and if you have any questions or suggestions, please relpy.

Regards,

Kieran H.

 

[Euphod]

I'd be surprised to learn that N3V couldn't use an intern or two.

 

[captainkman]

Someone has kindly been able to find out that I can't drive trains for work experience as they don't want to over-stress the drivers. They said nothing about the guard though.

I can't go into the control tower for the same reason, and all they could find was an office job in the same building as the control tower.

Not the result I was hoping for. Maybe a member of the N3V staff could help?

 

[pfx]

Have you considered volunteering at a preserved railway? That's how I drive and repair locomotives.

 

[sawyer811]

Would that count? I had to do community service for high school, but a friend of mine who had to do something similar to this said it had to be a real job, not a volunteer thing (museum/tourist railway/habitat for humanity/etc)

 

[Enkidoh]

Years ago when I was in high school (1995 to be exact), I tried requesting to do my own work experience with my then state government rail operator (Westrail), and was basically told 'no'.

My school work experience coordinator actually rung the HR Manager to request it, and was told that the railways don't allow work experience participants due to OH&S requirements that all staff be attired with proper safety gear (steel-caped boots, uniforms. high-visibility vests etc), and also have to be properly inducted into the organization's work policies and procedures - all far too time-consuming and expensive for someone who is not being paid and not going to be there long. So yeah, I had basically the same experience as you did.

And for those who were curious, I ended up doing my work experience with a photographer (as I was a real shutterbug at the time ).

 

[HiBaller]

Years ago when I was in high school (1995 to be exact), ...

Oh, please don't put it that way. My high school back in 1957-1960 (9-12) seems really ancient then.

Bill

 

[captainkman]

@pfx: The closest one to me is a 2 hour drive. But there are 3 places I'd like ot go to if I could.

@sawyer811: I think that would be the case too.

@Enkidoh: Ok, so that rules out QR. Maybe N3V has a position. I'm about 2-3 hours from Helensvale, by train.

 

[pfx]

Hi, my local preserved line is an hour away (often these places aren't that handy).

What is the specific reason for gaining work experience? I take it you wouldn't be paid doing it anyway so I don't see how volunteering would differ. Both work, one in the private sector, the other in the voluntary sector. If it's to gain experience of customer service, there are roles at a preserved railway to cover this (and normally the place to start too if you want to eventually drive trains). You may also find that they would require some help with office work, one thing that nobody really wants to do and isn't well advertised.

If it's required for another reason, there's nothing to stop you looking elsewhere and still going to a preserved railway if you want to get involved. To avoid any doubt, I'd ask your school if that work would count rather than rely on your friend.

Sadly, it's unlikely you'll get experience driving or as guard as these are both safety critical posts which would require a significant training investment. Understandably, companies aren't too willing to undertake such training for work experience folks.

 

[captainkman]

Hi pfx,

I'll ask at school at my next opportunity then. I have a few tourist railways I can go to. I'll post the links so that people can take a look.
Rosewood Railway Museum: http://www.arhs-qld.org.au/rosewood-railway-museum - I've had a cab ride on the loco pictured, C17 No.720.
Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway: http://www.qpsr.net/ - Had a cab ride on the loco pictured, PB15 No.448.
Durundur Railway: http://www.angrms.org.au/ - No cab rides yet.

The RRM and QPSR offer steam and diesel loco driving.