Trainee Train Driver - Virgin Trains East Coast

[Scuba2208]

http://m.yorkpress.co.uk/news/14787...rs_wanted_for_East_Coast_mainline/?ref=twtrec

And so the publicity begins... The talent team are about to get a whole lot busier...

 

[woody1812]

are there any ECML drivers watching this thread? just wondering, as there seems to be a lot of questions that have not been answered. such as shifts, rest days etc. perhaps a serving driver could write a post with all the relevant info. I know there's different roster lines or links, but a rough idea would be really helpful.

 

[Sig01]

I've whacked an application in amongst the thousands.
Good luck all, think we're going to need it!

 

[ash39]

Anyone else notice they've dropped York from the ad but now included Doncaster? But the assessment days are still showing as York.

 

[156484]

Anyone else notice they've dropped York from the ad but now included Doncaster? But the assessment days are still showing as York.

That's because there is no driver depot at York.

 

[ash39]

I know there isn't currently, but York was listed as a location when I first looked at the website. It's since been removed.

 

[Sam Slade]

Yes. Also, Newcastle wasn't included at first ( i emailed asking why, as Virgin 91s and HSTs berth and leave from Heaton ), then it was added. Also, Newcastle only had one assessment day at first, now two.

No big deal, HR often balls things up or there's bad communication between departments, or maybe the huge response neccessitates changes.

 

[ash39]

It's potentially a big deal for people who have already prepared applications for York who live in, say, Thirsk. They would now be out of the 'catchment area'.

I'm within the hour for Leeds or Doncaster, but York would be more convenient.

Also don't assume the arrangements for stabling each night will be the same as they are now. With the IEP depot at Doncaster and different destinations being served, expect quite a lot of changes.

 

[156484]

It's potentially a big deal for people who have already prepared applications for York who live in, say, Thirsk. They would now be out of the 'catchment area'.

I'm within the hour for Leeds or Doncaster, but York would be more convenient.

Also don't assume the arrangements for stabling each night will be the same as they are now. With the IEP depot at Doncaster and different destinations being served, expect quite a lot of changes.

I don't see how it's a big deal, a tiny bit of research would tell you there's no depot at York.
What makes you think stabbling arrangements will change? The only place that will have changes is Doncaster.

 

[chris11256]

Submitted my application. Good luck all!

 

[Sam Slade]

It's potentially a big deal for people who have already prepared applications for York who live in, say, Thirsk. They would now be out of the 'catchment area'.

I'm within the hour for Leeds or Doncaster, but York would be more convenient.

Also don't assume the arrangements for stabling each night will be the same as they are now. With the IEP depot at Doncaster and different destinations being served, expect quite a lot of changes.

Link below details improvements to various depots being made by Network rail and Hitachi for the new 800/801 stock.

https://thespencergroup.co.uk/spenc...-east-coast-mainline-light-maintenance-depots

 

[stjimmy87]

Put my application in for Doncaster, Good luck to everyone going for it, its a fantastic opportunity. Anyone else gone for Doncaster?

 

[ash39]

I don't see how it's a big deal, a tiny bit of research would tell you there's no depot at York.
What makes you think stabbling arrangements will change? The only place that will have changes is Doncaster.

So say you heard the ad on the radio (Virgin are advertising this recruitment drive on Minster FM, York's local station). Imagine you have no prior knowledge of current operations. You're saying if you saw York listed (as it was), you would have ignored the ad and gone and researched yourself instead?

 

[Johnathon96]

Sounds like a good opportunity although I imagine competition will be fierce. Is there any flexibility on the age whatsoever? I'm not 21 until February.

 

[Gemz91]

It's potentially a big deal for people who have already prepared applications for York who live in, say, Thirsk. They would now be out of the 'catchment area'.

I'm within the hour for Leeds or Doncaster, but York would be more convenient.

Also don't assume the arrangements for stabling each night will be the same as they are now. With the IEP depot at Doncaster and different destinations being served, expect quite a lot of changes.

Hardly a big deal! More of a slight annoyance that a job they had previously applied for is no longer there. Happens all the time.

 

[philthetube]

Does anybody know the salary once qualified as a virgin train driver ??
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


Do you know how much the salary is when fully qualified

Googling it takes you to the ASLEF page where details are available, if you get through don't ask that sort of basic question, they will expect you to use initiative and be able to think for yourself.

 

[156484]

So say you heard the ad on the radio (Virgin are advertising this recruitment drive on Minster FM, York's local station). Imagine you have no prior knowledge of current operations. You're saying if you saw York listed (as it was), you would have ignored the ad and gone and researched yourself instead?

Of course I would! Who in their right mind would apply for a drivers job without researching the company's operations?

 

[Lrd]

Googling it takes you to the ASLEF page where details are available, if you get through don't ask that sort of basic question, they will expect you to use initiative and be able to think for yourself.

The ASLEF page is normally out of date. The salary could be a big issue for people earning a similar sort of wage at the moment. It's not just train drivers that earn a good salary.

 

[redbutton]

The ASLEF page is normally out of date. The salary could be a big issue for people earning a similar sort of wage at the moment. It's not just train drivers that earn a good salary.

Critically, the ASLEF site says that there was a pay claim in early 2016, so it would be good to know the results of that.

 

[Scuba2208]

That's the news spread to mainstream media in Scotland. 22000 applicants for the last Scotrail recruitment drive, here's to more of the same then I guess...

I hope they have read everyone on here's application before they are completely inundated...

 

[xtradj]

Did anyone get a confirmation email once sent?

 

[Scuba2208]

Did anyone get a confirmation email once sent?

Nada mate...

 

[scotland1977]

The ASLEF page is normally out of date. The salary could be a big issue for people earning a similar sort of wage at the moment. It's not just train drivers that earn a good salary.

Spot on bud

 

[ZackCulross]

Hello quick question
I work at Edinburgh trams as a driver so I have some rail experience.

The question is, do you think i could apply for this as it was a dream since I joined the trams to come to virgin.

Problem is it says you have to be 21 to apply and I'm not 21 till November the 11th 2016

What do use think?

 

[Gemz91]

Hello quick question
I work at Edinburgh trams as a driver so I have some rail experience.

The question is, do you think i could apply for this as it was a dream since I joined the trams to come to virgin.

Problem is it says you have to be 21 to apply and I'm not 21 till November the 11th 2016

What do use think?

Can't see your age being an issue, fairly confident you'll be 21 by the time the interviews happen, let alone by the time it comes to actually driving a train.

 

[Class2ldn]

Well if you don't meet the age limit then I doubt you'd be accepted, however they might think that you'll be over the age once you start and accept it. Only 1 way to find out for sure.

 

[James30]

Hi all,

I know that this question has sort of been answered by two people earlier in the thread, but was wondering if I could get a couple more opinions on this?

They ask for five questions, with the final two having 100 word linits. To me, this implies that they want short letters, due to the high number that they'll receive, and also that they want to see who can follow instructions. I'd be delighted to stick to the rules exactly, but I really don't think they're clear. Does this mean that you should answer ONLY these five questions, or is an introductory paragraph of another 100 words or so ok? And should it be written purely as prose, with two separate paragraphs that answer the two limited questions, or with small headings that show where the word limit section begins and ends.

It may seem like a minor thing, but I think that they're clearly going to immediately throw out applications that don't fit the rule. I think it might end up being unfair on a lot of people who guess wrong about what the rule is...

Thanks very much, and best of luck to everyone else,
James

 

[SkinnyDave]

Hi all,

I know that this question has sort of been answered by two people earlier in the thread, but was wondering if I could get a couple more opinions on this?

They ask for five questions, with the final two having 100 word linits. To me, this implies that they want short letters, due to the high number that they'll receive, and also that they want to see who can follow instructions. I'd be delighted to stick to the rules exactly, but I really don't think they're clear. Does this mean that you should answer ONLY these five questions, or is an introductory paragraph of another 100 words or so ok? And should it be written purely as prose, with two separate paragraphs that answer the two limited questions, or with small headings that show where the word limit section begins and ends.

It may seem like a minor thing, but I think that they're clearly going to immediately throw out applications that don't fit the rule. I think it might end up being unfair on a lot of people who guess wrong about what the rule is...

Thanks very much, and best of luck to everyone else,
James

End of the day they are looking for all of those questions to be answered, the two parts that ask for no more than 100 words mean exactly that!
I am a Qualified Driver and I have applied but tried to put myself in the Recruitment Team's place reading thousands of these cover letters. How many people will have put childhood dream, something I have always wanted to do etc etc.. you will need to stand out imo.

 

[Saltire]

Hi all,

I know that this question has sort of been answered by two people earlier in the thread, but was wondering if I could get a couple more opinions on this?

They ask for five questions, with the final two having 100 word linits. To me, this implies that they want short letters, due to the high number that they'll receive, and also that they want to see who can follow instructions. I'd be delighted to stick to the rules exactly, but I really don't think they're clear. Does this mean that you should answer ONLY these five questions, or is an introductory paragraph of another 100 words or so ok? And should it be written purely as prose, with two separate paragraphs that answer the two limited questions, or with small headings that show where the word limit section begins and ends.

It may seem like a minor thing, but I think that they're clearly going to immediately throw out applications that don't fit the rule. I think it might end up being unfair on a lot of people who guess wrong about what the rule is...

Thanks very much, and best of luck to everyone else,
James

I took it to mean that the first 2 (or 3 if you don't live close enough) questions would be an introductory paragraph and 2 new paragraphs starting "I would like to work for Virgin Trains East Coast because.........." and "I would like to be a train driver because......" had a very strict word count.
As you also attached a CV that would be the opportunity to sell yourself on other matters.
I sincerely believe (and hope) that anyone who exceeds the word count is eliminated at the application stage, sorry if that sounds mean but it was a very basic instruction.

 

[eastc]

Applied. Just posting here to keep up with any news. Good luck guys!