Timetable & Planning Apprentice
Harrison Cardwell
Day to Day tasks
My day-to-day tasks usually vary slightly, depending on what piece of work I’m doing, this is what makes my role so exciting. I Create Short termed planned train diagrams for when there is an amended timetable, understanding what events are taking place on the network which will impact our services and may require an increased capacity timetable. Implementing set swaps. Assigning Train Crew such as Train Managers, Train Drivers and Customer service assistants to trains. Understanding what engineering works are taking place across our network. Finding a solution to solve complex tasks.
Skills needed for this role
e.g., written and verbal communication, research skills, stakeholder relationships, data analysis
Very good problem-solving techniques, keeping calm under pressure, managing different demanding workloads. Adapting to changing circumstances at short notice. Excellent communication skills and working relationships, particularly with internal and external stakeholders. Working in line with rules and legislation’s set by regulatory bodies to ensure compliance.
My working environment
A welcoming environment where help is never too far away, having a supportive team around you. I have been very fortunate to be given opportunity to contribute to the event plans across our network. I will create the plans and manage our hosts who assist with the busy flow of customers at stations and provide customers support onboard, to ensure everyone has a comfortable journey. I have enjoyed these experiences with the encouragement and feedback from fellow colleagues being greatly appreciated.
Pathways into this role
My pathway into this apprenticeship role was great, I had finished college and was keen to get into the rail industry. I wanted to follow my father’s footsteps who has worked within the industry for many years, and this apprenticeship with Avanti is a perfect fit for me to start my career off.
Education
e.g., GCSE
I did my GCSEs in Business, Food preparation & Nutrition, and Geography, which pays a big part in my role. I studied Travel & Tourism at college and achieved a final grade of a distinction.
Best and most challenging things about this job
There is lots of room for progression within the company, it is very rewarding and there are lots of benefits included. I have already learnt so much within a short space of time, and I am eager to learn more. I have had opportunities to get around on the network, meeting lots of people and learning from the knowledge they have, which allows me to build up my skills. I enjoy the variety of work and that each task I’m faced with being different.
Terminal General Manager
Robin
Day to Day tasks
- Plan a Timetable so that Freightliner has paths (time slots) on the rail Network to run our trains.
- Work with colleagues to make sure our Timetable paths enable us to deliver what our Customers need.
- Work with Network Rail, who manage train timetables for all passenger and freight trains, to ensure our paths are in their Timetable.
Skills needed for this role
e.g., written and verbal communication, research skills, stakeholder relationships, data analysis
- Problem solving
- Teamwork
- Attention to detail
- Communication skills - telephone and writing
My working environment
I work in Freightliner’s office in London. I spend a lot of my time using special software on my laptop and talking to people on the phone.
Pathways into this role
- A Levels
- Apprenticeships - Level 3 Transport Scheduler, Level 5 Operations Manager
Education
e.g., GCSE
- 6 O levels & 3 A levels
Best and most challenging things about this job
The best thing about my job is working with great colleagues. The most challenging thing is after spending lots of time on a plan, it does not work as expected and I have to start again.
There are also many other rail roles in the Control category, such as Infrastructure Planner, Control Manager, Customer Operations Manager, and Signaller.