Uncle wants to be a driver, too old?

[TomJ93]

My Uncle has always had an interest in the railways, and he is considering becoming a driver, with either LM or VT. The only thing is he is nearing 50, would he be too old?

If he can't do that how about being a guard?

Thanks.

 

[transportphoto]

I think that an employer can not decline employment due to age related reasons (as this would be age discrimination), IF however he does not pass some of the tests / exams etcc... then they can decline employment.

HTH

 

[CarterUSM]

My Uncle has always had an interest in the railways, and he is considering becoming a driver, with either LM or VT. The only thing is he is nearing 50, would he be too old?

If he can't do that how about being a guard?

Thanks.

I know drivers and guards who have started at 50 plus, opportunities with virgin for driving and guarding don't come up that often though. Tell him to go for any vacancies he sees! What has he got to lose!

 

[mac]

and remember 1000 people apply for each driver job,and they do like to train people with degree's.

 

[33056]

........and they do like to train people with degree's.

Why do you think that? Speaking as a signalman, I don't think any of my more recently joined colleagues have a degree and I am quite sure that it is the same for drivers. It is all down to suitability and whether you can pass the aptitude tests and interviews.

 

[GB]

and remember 1000 people apply for each driver job,and they do like to train people with degree's

They may well "like to train people with degrees", but that is not to say that they dont like training people without them or that a degree is a requirement or even favoured upon....because it isnt.

 

[Zoe]

What they will be looking for more than anything else is real life experience of certain sitatuations. You may have a degree but that won't count for much if you don't have that experience.

 

[mac]

they like people with degree's because it makes the company look good,you only have to look how many young people work on the railway they must have had a very hard life to get real life experience.I have been for interviews and testing but always think they no who is getting the job before before i even get there.

 

[Zoe]

As I said above, you may well have a degree and it would most likely get you into a mangement position but if you can't demostrate the competencies they are looking for at the interview it will count for nothing.

 

[mac]

it's not just mangement and it's not just the railways all companys now want people with degree's,the only thing wrong is they get bored and move on,i have been told i was the best one at the interview and still not got the job.

 

[Greenback]

You are nistaken my friend. There are a lot of positions where adegree is either required or preferred, but equally there ar emany where it has no relevance at all.

The simple fact is that, due to the economic situation, there ar emore graduates applying for jobs which they would nt have touched with a barge pole a few years ago. The fact that some of these graduates are successful with their applications does not necessarily mean that they have been appointed simply because of their degree.

Train driving in particular requires a particular type of person with very specific skills and abilities. If someone has those, it will not matter too much if they have a degree or not.

 

[Zoe]

Most jobs on the railway use the competency based interview system, in this system demonstrating your experience in specific situations for example coping in emergencies is going to be much more important than any piece of paper you have.

 

[steamybrian]

I know of several people who joined the railway industry over 50 but who do not have degrees but have a wide of experience of life.
I am sure (but can someone confirm!) that there is a recent law introduced banning Age Discrimination when applying for jobs.
After a long career for British Rail/Railtrack I retired and now work for contractor to Network Rail who accepts people with years of experience, contacts and local knowledge as much as a youngster with a degree but no experience.

 

[mac]

if you have had many years on the railway you must of been there when all you needed to no was the inspector,like my dad he worked for 37 years and if i had wanted a job then all i had to do was ask,no tests no interviews just start monday and them people still did the job.I am 48 and only had three jobs never been out of work but still get turned down

 

[Greenback]

Times have changed. In many places psychometric testing and competencies are used to assess candidates.

I've been unsuccessful in applying for many jobs where I thought I was an excellent candidate. There are a few possibilities as to why I wasn't picked! Either thereare people better than me, or I made a big mistake during the assessment, or I simply wasn;t right for the role as envisaged by the organisation (no matter what the job description said!).

The idea is that it's better and fairer than the old way of knowing someone in the organisation, which I'm sure still goes on in places. When I was on the mail a lot of people were 'recommended' but did not perform very well when in the job!