Where are the trainee driving jobs?

[IanBanks-Jones]

Hi,

I'm looking to get into driving, but all the jobs I seem to find advertised are either for experienced drivers or are located a million miles from home. All ( a big all, I know) I want is a trainee position that is within 30-40 miles of Northampton. It's the role I was born to do.(pedantic, able to do repetitive tasks, conscientious, chronically observant, safety minded and risk averse covers quite a few of my main personality traits!)

 

[Vicpaul]

It's a plain matter of hitting the individual company websites. Going from driving the underground to the mainline I thought would be easy but I've had to come on as a trainee. In my time looking (almost a year) first, southern and southwest were the only companies to offer trainee driver positions. I'm now with southern as the others never pulled there fingers out.

 

[IanBanks-Jones]

What really riles is that I'm within cycling distance of the LM depot in Kings Heath (not that I'd dare leave a bike in Kings Heath), and LM, despite chronic driver shortages still only want people with experience. To quote old Yozzer Hughes, 'gis a job. I could do that!'

 

[Dave1987]

Hi

What you have to realise is LM need drivers now. It would take them about a year to train you. If you are really dedicated to becoming a driver you are going to need to be prepared to move. I had to. Look on every TOC's website every day. Trainee positions do come up but not very often and not for very long. Good luck!

Regards

David

Driver for GA

 

[IanBanks-Jones]

Oh, I know that, and a new driver will always be a longer project, but it still frustrates. I'd have to stay put in Northampton, as training to be a driver would initially mean a pay cut from my current job. Anyway, as far as I can work out, I'm still within an hour of a number of signing on points for various TOC'S. LM at Npton and Bletchley, FCC at Bedford, EMT at Liecester, FL in Rugby, Chiltern at Bicester and FGW at Oxford (correct me if I'm wrong or if I've missed any)

Of course, there's not much chance of me ever driving a pair of EE type 4's through the lakes, or a peak over the S&C, but I would settle quite nicely with a 350 into Euston.

 

[Inge]

It's a plain matter of hitting the individual company websites. Going from driving the underground to the mainline I thought would be easy but I've had to come on as a trainee. In my time looking (almost a year) first, southern and southwest were the only companies to offer trainee driver positions. I'm now with southern as the others never pulled there fingers out.

Congratulations on getting picked up by Southern Paul. I remember you said you were looking for a train drivers position at the Scotrail induction.

 

[Vicpaul]

Went on to hospitality, right? How are things?

I was very committed to getting back driving, thankfully was sooner rather than later.

Back on subject london midland won't recruit trainees they get in from either sister companies or external. FCC told me I wasn't experienced enough with 6 years driving and experience with 3rd rail and AC over head lines. Like Dave said maybe look into relocating southern actively recruit trainee drivers as do first

 

[W230]

FCC told me I wasn't experienced enough with 6 years driving and experience with 3rd rail and AC over head lines.

Blimey! FCC have run a huge recruiment campaign this year. How much experience did they want you to have to get a job with them?!

I've been told by other FCC drivers that they (fairly recently) took on several freight drivers from Scotland, only for them to all qualify and then disappear back into freight. Not sure how true it was though!

To the OP - I would think FCC are a good bet for future trainee drivers jobs - especially with the work going on at Thameslink.

 

[IanBanks-Jones]

FCC sounds like a good idea to me! The son in law of a guy I work with joined them as a trainee about five years ago. Happy as a pig in the proverbial!

If thameslink had rebuilt the link to Northampton (as one franchisee once suggested) it'd be even easier for me. I'm not in a massive rush though, and I can hold on for a few years yet. My eyesight is still bang on, and I don't plan on putting on weight in any great quantity!

 

[Dave1987]

When you are ready go for it! You get 2 attempts at the OPC assessments so dont get too disheartened if you dont make it first time!

Regards

David

 

[IanBanks-Jones]

Eyes are now peeled and looking. Willing to drive from anywhere I can get to in an hour. Suppose that brings Birmingham into the equation too!

 

[E&W Lucas]

Hi,

I'm looking to get into driving, but all the jobs I seem to find advertised are either for experienced drivers or are located a million miles from home. All ( a big all, I know) I want is a trainee position that is within 30-40 miles of Northampton. It's the role I was born to do.(pedantic, able to do repetitive tasks, conscientious, chronically observant, safety minded and risk averse covers quite a few of my main personality traits!)

Forget distance, and think commuting time. You are ideally located for many London depots. As others have stated, you've also got the large FCC kindergarten depot at Bedford, on your doorstep.

 

[Pugland53]

Oh, I know that, and a new driver will always be a longer project, but it still frustrates. I'd have to stay put in Northampton, as training to be a driver would initially mean a pay cut from my current job. Anyway, as far as I can work out, I'm still within an hour of a number of signing on points for various TOC'S. LM at Npton and Bletchley, FCC at Bedford, EMT at Liecester, FL in Rugby, Chiltern at Bicester and FGW at Oxford (correct me if I'm wrong or if I've missed any)

Of course, there's not much chance of me ever driving a pair of EE type 4's through the lakes, or a peak over the S&C, but I would settle quite nicely with a 350 into Euston.

I thought FGW have only recently been advertising for trainees, I take it you didn't apply to them?