JOHN

Multi-Skilled Technician

Our multi-skilled technicians manage the processes that ensure that our trains perform as safely, effectively and efficiently as possible. These dedicated professionals combine their technical and team work skills to provide a complete in-service support around the clock which covers examination tasks with a clear focus on safety and service delivery.

In this team, you’ll work on everything from engine maintenance to electrical fault finding, brakes to bogies, and plumbing to painting.  It’s a safety critical role, and you’ll need to be over 18 to apply.

To apply you must have engineering qualifications to at least NVQ level 3 or an equivalent standard.  Alternatively, you must have served a recognised apprenticeship.

Our multi-skilled technicians are based at the following depots:

  • Long Rock (Penzance)
  • Laira (Plymouth)
  • Exeter
  • St Philips Marsh (Bristol)
  • Reading
  • Landore (Swansea)
  • Old Oak Common (London)

 

Profile

John says... My role within First Great Western is a Multi-skilled Technician and my role is train maintenance and repair.

There’s a great sense of pride in working for First Great Western because First Great Western is one of the premier train companies.

I served 22 years in the Royal Navy and then I virtually came here straight from there, I came here in 1990 and I’ve never looked back. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed myself.

It’s a very relaxed atmosphere but there’s this underlying sense of pressure, we must get this train ready by a certain time, and you’re never on your own, there’s always someone else who will give you a hand, tell you where you’re going wrong or offer advice. You’re never on your own but it is a good place to work.

Be prepared to work hard and as I said before, you’ve got to be flexible because you don’t know what the next problem is, particularly on nights because the trains come in at night to be serviced, to be fuelled and get checked.

If a new person did join the company and they were put with me to work I would be their mentor. Don’t be afraid to ask, don’t be afraid to learn because you’re always learning here and there’s always people around who will help you.

We have to work to a very high standard, there’s certain high specifications to improve the service to the customer, to make sure that the air conditioning is working, the toilets are working, the coffee machine is working, to make their experience of travelling on First Great Western trains a pleasurable experience.

We are part of a big team at First Great Western. If one part of the team is missing or not pulling its weight then that passenger does not get on that train and that’s what we’re here for.