Northern BLACKBURN trainee drivers

[Kit.Frank]

For anyone interested, Northern are advertising for trainee train drivers for Blackburn on their careers page. Good luck anyone who applies!

 

[WCMLaddict]

FYI - this a new depot that is supposed to be devised 50:50 of qualified drivers from other depots and trainees. Nobody knows yet when it opens or how big exactly it's going to be but from the scrap info we sometimes get its supposed to have around 50 drivers and open December 2017.

 

[Dave1980]

Just been offered the chance to interview for a Trainee driver place at Blackburn rather than Blackpool as I live right on the cusp of the 45min travelling time limit. Obviously if the above is accurate there would be around 20-25 places for trainee drivers which would increase my chances of getting in hopefully, although quite a wait until Dec 2017, thankfully I'm employed and can tolerate my current job a bit longer as long as there is light at the end of the train tunnel (sorry, obvious pun there)

 

[sennaf15]

I'm the same as dave1980 been invited to interview for Blackburn instead of Blackpool as I'm a lot closer. Just got to wait now, for how long who knows.
Good luck to all those that are starting on the long road to hopefully a career as a driver

 

[maccalad]

I got my application in - I used to work in Blackburn, and it was a 25-30 minute journey.

If the December 2017 rumour is true, this would work out really well for me if I was to be successful, because I could cope with my job for another 15 months or so, or maybe do 12 and take a 3-month break.

I just hope that my application is up to scratch because that is where I failed with a Manchester application!

 

[Andrew32]

Is this new depot solely for drivers or will conductors be based there also, I live close to Blackburn and currently work at Skipton?

 

[cin88]

Just applied, here's hoping it's third time lucky for me

 

[Shrimper]

If the December 2017 rumour is true, this would work out really well for me if I was to be successful, because I could cope with my job for another 15 months or so, or maybe do 12 and take a 3-month break.

I may be wrong, but I'd guess they want drivers trained up complete with route knowledge ready for opening so would probably be looking at a course starting towards the end of this year. I can't see them putting a vacancy out now for a job that wouldn't be starting for almost 18 months.

 

[Andrew32]

I may be wrong, but I'd guess they want drivers trained up complete with route knowledge ready for opening so would probably be looking at a course starting towards the end of this year. I can't see them putting a vacancy out now for a job that wouldn't be starting for almost 18 months.

I'm in full agreement regarding the above, driver training lasts for a year roughly and the new depot will need a blend of experienced drivers to mind the new trainees, the depot cannot be full of new starters at the time of opening.

Likewise if conductors are to be based there, though no word on this yet.

 

[Louby]

I'm in full agreement regarding the above, driver training lasts for a year roughly and the new depot will need a blend of experienced drivers to mind the new trainees, the depot cannot be full of new starters at the time of opening.

Likewise if conductors are to be based there, though no word on this yet.

Problem is trainers , man is full to capacity with 4 driver courses now and one every month , Leeds is the same , it's where to train and who to do it

 

[delticdeano74]

Problem is trainers , man is full to capacity with 4 driver courses now and one every month , Leeds is the same , it's where to train and who to do it

How many trainees are there usually on a course, or is it not a set number? Cheers

 

[Louby]

How many trainees are there usually on a course, or is it not a set number? Cheers

Normally 12 but 11 on mine

 

[maccalad]

If the course starts this year, then that is fine..........it would still work out very well for me.

It's no hardship to not have a break.

 

[delticdeano74]

Normally 12 but 11 on mine

Ok, thank you.

 

[Sapper]

First post on here, so hello!
This forum has been a great source of information, so thanks.

I have recently passed my assessments, i originally applied for Manchester depots, but was asked about Blackburn during managers interview. I live roughly the same distance from each.
I received an email from HR stating 'awaiting course allocation'. Hopefully i can start my training soon and working out of Blackburn as part of a new depot would be great!

 

[Red Devil]

As someone has previously stated Northern are having a massive recruitment drive at the moment so don't be too surprised at having to wait. There's only so many can get on a course and plus Wigan and Victoria are seeing a shortage of Dtm's either at the moment or in the near future further adding to the backlog.

 

[sennaf15]

Just had an email with my interview date for Blackburn (next week) getting real now lol.

 

[Andrew32]

For anyone interested, the PROPOSED staffing levels for Blackburn are 53 Drivers and 40 Conductors with employees signing on remotely, meaning that Blackburn will be a satellite station with the possibility of there being no station coordinator.

 

[Geeves]

With remote signing on does that mean train crew have their signing on times and dockets sent by phone or email? I'm not in the grade but with out a depot office or depot manager I'm thinking it could get tricky doing everything via phone especially with the probable changes and shunting going on there.

Guess we will see.

 

[Andrew32]

I've been informed that a CTM and DTM will more than likely be there, remote signing will involve you scanning your card on the signing on monitor screen and your daily diagram number will be displayed along with any work related messages, when you swipe off, your next turn of duty is displayed.

I'm told the system will be live in most depots by the time Blackburn opens, so it shouldn't be anything new to current employees.

Regarding rosters, I think they are to be accessible via the shed (internal site)or something in the future.

 

[verve76]

Hi first time on here - very informative site thanks. I have been offered a interview for Blackburn but a little unsure if this is the competency interview or managers interview? If someone has any up to date information on the recruitment process that would be great. Is it competency interview then selection tests and if successful then managers interview?

 

[Shrimper]

Northern (assuming it hasn't changed in the past 6 months) do DMI (driver manager interview) first; followed by the assessments (including the MMI, multi-modal interview which replaced the CBI) and finally medical.

 

[kelv]

Anyone know the postcode for the depot ? i.e. the place that they use to determine the travelling distance/time, using Blackburn Station on Google I'm getting 47 minutes travelling time.

 

[Louby]

Anyone know the postcode for the depot ? i.e. the place that they use to determine the travelling distance/time, using Blackburn Station on Google I'm getting 47 minutes travelling time.

It is the station as far as I know , the sidings is just at the side

 

[Andrew32]

It is the station as far as I know , the sidings is just at the side

As, above, they will more than likely use the station as a reference, depot will surrounded by Duckworth Street King Street and Harrison Street.

 

[Dave1980]

Just a quick one, had my interview today and for those wondering they are hoping to start the training course in September 2016.

 

[sennaf15]

That's a quick turnaround, I have to give a months notice to my employer. They would have to move quickly to give everyone answers on their interviews and then book people in for the assessment day. They told me that it was a case of drip feeding people in as they require a position filling and that isn't solely for drivers, it covers all roles required at Blackburn.

 

[Dave1980]

Yeah asked me about notice for my current job and I said one month, he did some quick calculations in his head and said that should work. Apparently they are looking to get people on a course I'm assuming at the end of September, guessing we won't all be on one course as they tend to have around 12 on each course. The training lasts around 32 weeks or close to a year with time off and they'd want us at the depot by November 2017 to open in December I imagine. So it would work out.
Was told to expect a yes/ no within a week so they aren't hanging around.

Good luck to you, time to sit back and wait I guess!

 

[sennaf15]

Yeah that's about similar to what he said to me. Should also find out next week, another long week of waiting again lol. 1900 people applied for this role.

 

[beavercreek]

If you get offered a driving role then your notice period is the last thing you worry about, you just walk away from your job or risk losing a trainee position as they would simply move to the next person.
I had to walk away years back giving 1/4 months notice.I didn't lose any money but it's safe to say they wouldn't have me back.
I've never known a trainee to complete training at 32 weeks be honest.It is closer to 1 year if not longer depending on if you can be allocated an instructor straight away and how available your manager is for practical ride outs at certain stages throughout your practical handling.