Timing of trainee jobs

[stevefromdonny]

Is there any particular time of year that TOCs advertise trainee jobs? I gather they like to set on a few at a time so they can be trained together, so is there a certain time of year they do this? I noticed the FTPE jobs thread further down this section where 4 jobs were posted at once. Also I know the east coast route has just gone out to a new franchise promising more trains, seats etc - could they be advertising soon? Is there a certain timescale for this?

Does anyone know which TOCs have a depot in Doncaster? According to wikipedia Northern rail have a depot in Doncaster but described as a "staff depot" which I assume is just a portacabin or office where staff can book on/off. Considering Doncaster's train heritage I'm surprised that there aren't more TOCs based here, but then again it isn't a terminus for many (any?) services so logistically makes sense.

I know DB Schenker has their UK base in Doncaster but I want to avoid freight if I can due to night work. My dad always drove freight trains and worked nights which wasn't great for the family.

Finally are there any smack back up to date websites or blogs (newer than www.traindriver.org ) which give info on the recruitment process? Don't get me wrong that website is brilliant, but I note it was written a good few years ago now.

 

[387star]

East Coast won't take on trainees

 

[SPADTrap]

East Coast won't take on trainees

They do. They did recently!

 

[E&W Lucas]

They do. They did recently!

They took about six on c18 months ago, as did Virgin I believe. First for a good number of years in both cases.

New traction will mean more services, but it will also free up the drivers they presently need for 67s and 08s. I wouldn't hold your breath for trainee driver vacancies!
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I know DB Schenker has their UK base in Doncaster but I want to avoid freight if I can due to night work. My dad always drove freight trains and worked nights which wasn't great for the family.

.

Wherever you work, you're likely to be working nights, or shifts so early or late that they might as well be.
Get your head round that, or you're looking at the wrong career. Any hint of unwillingness to work anti - social hours, and that's going to be your application binned.
However, as a Driver with a family, I actually find the shift work a benefit. I see far more of my family, than most professional dads at a comparable income level. Blocks of rest days in the school holiday = quality time with the kids.

 

[stevefromdonny]

Thanks E&W lucas. Just to clarify what I said about nights. My current job involves a variety of shifts including 6am starts and 11pm finishes. My understanding of passenger driving is that I may be expected to book on as early as 0330 and off as late as 0200 or worse but not to work through the night. I get this and am willing to do this.

However if an opportunity were to come up at db I would apply with a view to applying elsewhere once my training contract had expired.

 

[E&W Lucas]

Thanks E&W lucas. Just to clarify what I said about nights. My current job involves a variety of shifts including 6am starts and 11pm finishes. My understanding of passenger driving is that I may be expected to book on as early as 0330 and off as late as 0200 or worse but not to work through the night. I get this and am willing to do this.

However if an opportunity were to come up at db I would apply with a view to applying elsewhere once my training contract had expired.

Passenger work also involves night shifts. As well as the public timetabled stuff, there's stock moves associated with night servicing, train preparation, shunting, etc. You may find some depots without night turns, but they tend to be the more rural ones, which are often hard to get into as a trainee.

 

[W230]

Nights are highly likely to come up in the roster wherever you work at some point so best get used to that idea!

As stated they are more likely on freight but passenger have them too. I think we do a run of 7 nights every 12 weeks or something. We sint book on before 5am on earlies but other depots book on right through the night and call most of those shifts earlies!

I should add though that I agree with Lucas - with a young family I get much more useful tine at home than I would doing 9-5!

 

[plastictaffy]

Not a driver myself, however, as a Guard, we have 6 nights every 16 weeks.

Our drivers have around four night jobs. Three involve splitting/joining/shunting and general yard movements, and the other one involves mainline driving. There's almost al;ways someone that will take them, but, of course, you can't rely on that.

4 day week, long weekend every three, 30k a year (as a Guard) is plenty of incentive to put up with the shifts (which are absolutely filthy times on some parts of the rosters - 0250 book-on, anyone?) in my opinion. If the shifts bother you, seriously, look elsewhere for a job.

 

[Todo Recto]

Not a driver myself, however, as a Guard, we have 6 nights every 16 weeks.

Our drivers have around four night jobs. Three involve splitting/joining/shunting and general yard movements, and the other one involves mainline driving. There's almost al;ways someone that will take them, but, of course, you can't rely on that.

4 day week, long weekend every three, 30k a year (as a Guard) is plenty of incentive to put up with the shifts (which are absolutely filthy times on some parts of the rosters - 0250 book-on, anyone?) in my opinion. If the shifts bother you, seriously, look elsewhere for a job.

Hi, what exactly is a 'guard' & what does the job entail ?