Scotrail Trainee Drivers (Ongoing)

[henke7]

@garto123 have a read of ‘RIS-3751-TOM’ the tests last 5 years in the case of a pass. Only thing that ScotRail could ask you to reset is the DMI.

 

[stucol123]

I suppose what I don't really understand is, if recruitment is slowing down for whatever reason, why is there a current campaign for more trainee drivers when there is a bank of people who have passed everything bar the medical, but have nowhere to go?
Would it not make sense to see that lot of people through to a start date or at least a projected start date before recruiting more people to join the waiting pool?

This is the bit i dont get , there are still people being invited for assessments , whats the point if the full march ‘24 applicants are all in a talent bank now . the process is vague and frustrating

 

[ontrackforit]

Yes, and that’s unfortunate but as I’ve said, it’s not possible to inform every individual candidate of their specific progress and likelihood of if/when they will be called forward. It’s a fluid dynamic, especially given the recent news (see earlier posts) which could severely influence the recruitment moving forward.

The “just be patient” etc was aimed at that specific poster who came across as being a bit entitled IMO. If you want to be a Train Driver then unfortunately you have to play the game, whether you agree with it or not, it matters not. It’s a long game and requires a great deal of patience. It took me 6 years of applying before I was offered the job. Trust me, it’s worth the wait!

Entitled? Just went through a 2 year application - in the interview stage was told to look at a May start date. To then wait 4 months after a “next stage” email to be placed in a pool. Justifying it by saying it’s industry standard and saying just to leave it if I feel a certain way is more entitled. It’s frustration more than entitlement, but if I wasn’t willing to wait I wouldn’t have continued to process from 2024. I’m not the only poster to be surprised by the news and I don’t doubt for a minute there’s loads more people now aware of this forum in the same boat.

 

[ezywheels]

Entitled? Just went through a 2 year application - in the interview stage was told to look at a May start date. To then wait 4 months after a “next stage” email to be placed in a pool. Justifying it by saying it’s industry standard and saying just to leave it if I feel a certain way is more entitled. It’s frustration more than entitlement, but if I wasn’t willing to wait I wouldn’t have continued to process from 2024. I’m not the only poster to be surprised by the news and I don’t doubt for a minute there’s loads more people now aware of this forum in the same boat.

x2...

We all applied for a trainee train driver role, not a place in a talent bank. Has anyone else replied to the email to point this out and request more personal clarification? I have, no reply, but I didn't expect one.

Yes, the industry recruitment methods are piss poor, there are worse TOCs out there in terms of non existent comms.

It's just very depressing and disappointing that none of the TOCs can run recruitment like any other industry. It's quite frankly bone idle, arrogant and entitled on their behalf! "Want a job, suck it up..."

 

[ChernoSamba]

Completely agree with the last 2 posts. It isn’t entitlement to expect a bit of clarity and better communication. People have been waiting over for a year now for a start date for a job they’ve put a lot of time in and effort into only to be told they’re now in this talent pool which might not even lead to a job.

People are trying hard to juggle life as it is at the moment. Do I book a holiday for the summer or do I disappoint my family by telling them we can’t in case Scotrail come calling? Do I take these extra training courses in my current job and apply for promotion even though my heart is somewhere else? But what if I don’t and then my time in the talent pool lapses without a job offer?

We are lucky to be in the position we find ourselves in at the moment but we got there through hard work and determination, it wasn’t handed to us.

 

[scottgl]

Entitled? Just went through a 2 year application - in the interview stage was told to look at a May start date. To then wait 4 months after a “next stage” email to be placed in a pool. Justifying it by saying it’s industry standard and saying just to leave it if I feel a certain way is more entitled. It’s frustration more than entitlement, but if I wasn’t willing to wait I wouldn’t have continued to process from 2024. I’m not the only poster to be surprised by the news and I don’t doubt for a minute there’s loads more people now aware of this forum in the same boat.

Completely agree with the last 2 posts. It isn’t entitlement to expect a bit of clarity and better communication. People have been waiting over for a year now for a start date for a job they’ve put a lot of time in and effort into only to be told they’re now in this talent pool which might not even lead to a job.

People are trying hard to juggle life as it is at the moment. Do I book a holiday for the summer or do I disappoint my family by telling them we can’t in case Scotrail come calling? Do I take these extra training courses in my current job and apply for promotion even though my heart is somewhere else? But what if I don’t and then my time in the talent pool lapses without a job offer?

We are lucky to be in the position we find ourselves in at the moment but we got there through hard work and determination, it wasn’t handed to us.

Looks like you two are also for Glasgow?


I agree that it’s annoying that we’ve been thrown a curveball. I’m taking comfort in the fact that I’m seeing a few other people for Glasgow in the same boat as me. I would think/hope that the Glasgow area would move forward at a decent pace and we are due to be in the same intake

 

[KelvinM]

I can't speak for everyone, but I think those of us who applied on March 24 were hoping for this year, but knew it could be next year, as the original advert we applied for stated a 26/27 intake. The wait is not the pressing issue; it's already been over 2 years to date. The main concern that hasn't been addressed by ScotRail is what happens if we go over the 2-year mark after passing all assessments. It is a real concern that our applications expire, and we need to start over again.

Personally, if they could clarify that, then it would make me feel that I still had a bit of security in the fact that I know I have passed all the tests, and it's just a waiting game. We were told the tests last for 5 years during the selection process, but now there seems to be a mixed reaction from their email telling us we are now in the talent pool, that the 5 years could be down to 2 years.

I don't think any of us are demanding a job or demanding daily updates. We just want a bit more clarity on this new process and how our current situation fits in with the new system.

I agree, it's not great to leave folk in limbo. I don't think it gives a good message to prospective new employees.

Anything I say about timescales and talent pools would be my personal view and may not be how it will pan out.

I was on a course with someone who applied pre COVID, they ended up in the pool, then it disappeared and they had to reapply again, tests expired after the 5 year period aswell, which didn't help them. But this was a unique set of circumstances, given the shut down etc .

But they got there in the end, far from ideal though.

 

[Victor Meldrew]

Yeah I’ve been hearing that it’s been binned also. Not a chance they will get it for free, not in a million years. Someone in TS has done the maths and realised it’s a non-starter cost wise. I can see recruitment slowing down considerably once that decision has been made. Cheaper for them to pay the overtime and have less staff.

I don’t think it’ll be long before we hear from ASLEF that the Sunday plan has been shelved unless there’s a massive shift regarding funding it.

Lots of depots are absolutely rammed with trainees as well, so when they pass out they‘ll all be over compliment.

Ive also heard earlier this week that there won’t be any lateral moves to Queen Street in May so that’ll have another knock on effect in recruitment. I wouldn’t be surprised if all of these things together have led to the introduction of the talent pool and they’ll just dip into it as and when required.

 

[LoogaBarooga]

Great news re Sundays.

 

[Chris_SSBN05]

For confirmation, what's great news; Sundays still outside the working week?

 

[Fat Pav]

Anyone offer any insight as to wait times for medical after passing level 2 assessments and MMI? What’s involved/expected at Optima?

 

[CarineNoctua]

Are there any internal candidates on here waiting on a medical and start date?

 

[RiverDon]

Anyone offer any insight as to wait times for medical after passing level 2 assessments and MMI? What’s involved/expected at Optima?

I don't know how the timescale is now but my medical was only about 3 weeks after my second assessment. The medical was: paperwork with questions about medical history, height and weight check, urine sample for drugs/alcohol/diabetes testing, ECG, hearing test, colour vision test, eye chart test, general movement checks (walking/bending/stand on one leg) then a chat with the doctor afterwards. The whole thing took about an hour.

At mine they found an issue that was essentially going to cause me to fail which was a big surprise but the doctor said he'd sign me off if I went to a specialist had some extra tests done and got them to write a letter to him. That was a bit of an admin nightmare to get sorted out, I had to pay money and it did delay my start date by a few months but I was pleased they were willing to wait and accommodate me rather than just fail me on the day.

 

[LoogaBarooga]

For confirmation, what's great news; Sundays still outside the working week?

Yes, if the rumours are to be believed.

 

[Fat Pav]

Are there any internal candidates on here waiting on a medical and start date?

I’m internal, waiting (eh, patiently) on medical at this point.

I don't know how the timescale is now but my medical was only about 3 weeks after my second assessment. The medical was: paperwork with questions about medical history, height and weight check, urine sample for drugs/alcohol/diabetes testing, ECG, hearing test, colour vision test, eye chart test, general movement checks (walking/bending/stand on one leg) then a chat with the doctor afterwards. The whole thing took about an hour.

At mine they found an issue that was essentially going to cause me to fail which was a big surprise but the doctor said he'd sign me off if I went to a specialist had some extra tests done and got them to write a letter to him. That was a bit of an admin nightmare to get sorted out, I had to pay money and it did delay my start date by a few months but I was pleased they were willing to wait and accommodate me rather than just fail me on the day.

Cheers for the info, hoping I don’t have any underlying medical conditions at this point now the paranoia is hitting.

 

[380101]

I’m internal, waiting (eh, patiently) on medical at this point.


Cheers for the info, hoping I don’t have any underlying medical conditions at this point now the paranoia is hitting.

You'll also get an ECG done at the medical. You get it on initial safety critical medical and then every medical from the age of 40.

 

[CarineNoctua]

Cheers Fat Pav. I’m in the same boat. Heard I passed everything about 4 weeks ago and now radio silence. I appreciate the fire has probably caused chaos at Atrium Court. How long since you last heard anything? Which depot did you apply for?

 

[Fat Pav]

You'll also get an ECG done at the medical. You get it on initial safety critical medical and then every medical from the age of 40.

Thanks for the input mate.

Cheers Fat Pav. I’m in the same boat. Heard I passed everything about 4 weeks ago and now radio silence. I appreciate the fire has probably caused chaos at Atrium Court. How long since you last heard anything? Which depot did you apply for?

I’m based in Glasgow mate so depots near me. They had to postpone the assessments for those still waiting as there are a lot of displaced staff who are taking up residence in Atrium Court just now until Central reopens.

 

[CarineNoctua]

Thanks for the input mate.



I’m based in Glasgow mate so depots near me. They had to postpone the assessments for those still waiting as there are a lot of displaced staff who are taking up residence in Atrium Court just now until Central reopens.

Brill mate. Thank you.

 

[scottgl]

Anyone offer any insight as to wait times for medical after passing level 2 assessments and MMI? What’s involved/expected at Optima?

I’m not internal, but I passed everything and passed the MMI in late November and haven’t heard anything about a medical yet. I’m also Glasgow.

 

[garto123]

Cheers Fat Pav. I’m in the same boat. Heard I passed everything about 4 weeks ago and now radio silence. I appreciate the fire has probably caused chaos at Atrium Court. How long since you last heard anything? Which depot did you apply for?

When did you first apply mate?

 

[Kieranmcd]

Has anyone heard anything that's applied for the most recent intake yet?

 

[Mihigo26]

Has anyone heard anything that's applied for the most recent intake yet?

Nope. It took aroound 4 weeks from applying for the Conductor post, to hear anything about the SHL tests, so I'd expect the same for this if not longer.

 

[CarineNoctua]

When did you first apply mate?

The latest internal campaign

 

[stucol123]

Yes, if the rumours are to be believed.

bad news for those waiting to start surely ?

 

[Victor Meldrew]

bad news for those waiting to start surely ?

Looks like it. On the other hand, it’s good news for the large number of drivers that don’t want Sundays inside the working week and are happy with the status quo.

 

[lgibson]

For the current adverts?

Yes

 

[garto123]

Is the Sunday overtime definitely not being included in the working week now?
I spoke with a driver I know, and he seemed to think it was still going ahead.
Is this still just a rumour or has it been confirmed?

 

[kickin aff]

Nothing official either way.

 

[RiverDon]

It's a rumour I've only read on here. I haven't heard anyone at my depot or anywhere else talking about it. Make of that what you will!