@RTC, Aldershot - railway signals and telecomms

New communications courses

While the general communications sector generally offers patchy employment opportunities, two niche areas of the industry are of interest to Service leavers:

- railway signals and telecommunications

- broadcast and satellite news gathering.

Railway signals and telecommunications

Discussions between CTP and the rail industry on opportunities for Service leavers with their transferable skills have resulted in appropriate and viable training to make them more marketable.

The ‘Introduction to basic rail signalling and associated circuitry’ course provides an in-depth introduction to the principles of railway signalling and is a must-do for anyone wishing to enter signalling engineering. Eligibility is based on City & Guilds Certification or a recognised apprenticeship and includes the ability to maintain control equipment, interpret circuit wiring diagrams, test cables and control systems, and have a working knowledge of mechanical, hydraulic and pneumatic systems. Some knowledge of electric, electronic and electro-mechanic skills is required. The one-week course includes:

- basics of signalling

- symbols, diagrams and plans

- basic lighting circuitry

- track circuits

- points.

Students take a theory assessment with certification for successful completion. They can also sit an Occupational Ability Questionnaire graded against a comparative skill group, with certification confirming the grade achieved.

Student profiles will be marketed by McGinley Executive to a wide range of rail contracting and civil engineering companies, and also published on its website, while potential employers will be invited to visit the course. Provisional course dates are:

- 6 October 2003

- 5 January 2003

- 29 March 2004.

A case in point

Sergeant Kevin Jones finished his Royal Signals career in 1990 and immediately began another with the railway industry. Starting with British Rail (now Network Rail) in the summer of 1990, he transferred to Amey Rail in 1994 following privatisation. When Carillion Rail secured a major contract in 1999 he joined its signalling and telecommunications team, where he is now the Train Protection Warning System Team Leader responsible for the installation of the train protection warning systems in South Wales.

He reports that ‘Every day brings something new so I’m never in one spot for long, which is something that I enjoy. I wouldn’t want a job that didn’t keep me interested. There are plenty of opportunities to develop a career and there is training available. The move into the rail industry is one I would recommend to anyone leaving the Forces.’

Broadcast and satellite news gathering (SNG)

TV reports and pictures cover events around the world almost as soon as they happen. SNG teams on the ground provide the services to make this possible for a sports event, a natural disaster or a crisis. The ‘Broadcasting and SNG fundamentals’ course provides an insight into the broadcasting industry, with particular emphasis on Digital Satellite News Gathering technology and operations, providing entertainment, information and communications directly to our televisions, radios and computers.

As technology makes the world a smaller place, the demand for information and communication grows. People are no longer satisfied with a newsreader; they expect pictures, interviews, comment and interactivity. So the audience now demands real-time coverage of events through progress in broadcasting capabilities.

Satellite news gathering contributed to this demand and, over the last decade, 90 per cent of news coverage has involved an SNG crew. During the 1991 Gulf War, for example, viewers watched live pictures of the action in their front rooms.

A typical crew consists of a cameraman, a journalist and one or two SNG engineers. The cameraman films and the journalist reports the story, with the responsibility to get the shot back relying on the skills of the SNG specialist. The work demands multiple skills. As well as technical competence, adapting to unpredictable circumstances within critical time constraints is often required. Many current engineers have Service backgrounds and most entered the industry through ‘work experience’ (i.e. they were introduced by a friend or colleague currently working in the role).

The one-week course developed by CTP and RealCom Recruitment Services provides a realistic insight to the industry, followed by the opportunity for work experience with SNG companies. This overview of a large segment of the industry – satellite broadcasting – covers the basic components of a television signal, as well as the technical and operational processes involved in engineering a working satellite link. Students should appreciate the size of the industry and the opportunities it offers in all areas of the industry including:

- operations and maintenance

- project and programme management

- sales and marketing

- legal and finance

- executive management.

The course provides the best value for money in this marketplace today. RTC costs of under £1,000 compare with about £2,000 for similar training commercially. Provisional dates are:

- 22 September 2003

- 8 December 2003

- 29 March 2004.

For further details contact Aldershot mil: 3520/3637 or 01252 348520/637