Ashley Jones

That's a difficult question to answer as, depending on the site or the project, I'll often take on slightly different roles from one day to the next. Typical roles include taking on general supervisory, COSS, SMTH and G110 (lead tester, author/checker) duties, liaising with signal boxes and ensuring all paperwork is completed. So, that would include things like task brief sheets, shift reports, close calls and so on. I also spend quite a bit of my time carrying out surveys of various bits of infrastructure. There's a lot more to my job but they're some of the main tasks.

Liaising with project managers for upcoming works in the week, arranging for collection of whatever tools, plant and materials are necessary for the work, and supervising the staff on site to make sure everyone's kept safe with the works being completed to a high standard. There's a certain amount of paperwork that has to be completed for each shift but, honestly, that doesn't take up too much time.

A lot of the qualities needed for my job are those needed in life as a whole... So, good communication skills with people at all different levels (office staff, signallers, route controllers etc.), a decent work ethic and a positive attitude are at the top of the list, I'd say. A good understanding of safety is massively important, being confident in your ability to ensure all works are performed safely and placing the wellbeing of staff and others above everything else. Diligence is key in pretty much everything I do - you simply can't be the kind of person who's always looking for a shortcut, there's too much at stake for that.

I genuinely love my job and I don't think there's all that many people who can say that, is there? I can honestly say I enjoy working in all different areas of the country - sitting behind a desk really isn't for me, I like being out on site, seeing new places and meeting new people so this really is my perfect job. I also enjoy the whole planning side of things, being able to plan the works myself and then carry them out on site (G110 works). I also really enjoy the sheer variety of disciplines I come across and how much I learn from that - from one week to the next I could be working in SMTH, G110, new works testing or even installations.

I started with Amaro in March 2021 as a Signalling Supervisor (SMTH) but, within the first few months, I completed a G110 author checker course and quickly gained competency after completing a vast amount of test schedules for class 2 SIN119 works. I was able to broaden my skill set in new works testing by attending a 3C verification tester course and undertaking mentored shifts on new works projects. In December 2022 I completed a MOD3BL functional tester course and within a few weeks was being mentored on a new works project as well as attending AC single/double railer and HVI track circuit courses. I'm currently on track to complete my mid-term and long-term goals set out in my personal development programme.

Amaro have regular personal development programme reviews with staff, laying out a path with short, medium and long term goals. From the off, I identified key areas where I needed to improve and boost my knowledge/skill set. From this, senior management have booked me on a number of different courses with more still to come, such as the MOD4 works testing course. I've also been mentored after passing the 3C verification tester and MOD 3BL functional tester courses.

If you're looking to work for a company with good benefits, who will push you to achieve your goals, enhance your career, gain multidisciplinary skills (S&T, E&P) then Amaro is the place to come.