Northern - Trainee Train Driver - Recruitment Discussion

[Horizon22]

I didn’t think that would be allowed the early hours of Sunday finishing the shift then start early hours the following day in such a safety critical environment.
They must take a bit of getting used to!

It’s quite common, especially for those where Sunday isn’t in the working week (and even those where it is).

Because technically it’s a RD and it’s a 24h gap so doesn’t break rules but it sure doesn’t feel like it.

It would score low on the fatigue matrix though and is regularly cited here as one of the worst parts of any roster (Sat late into Mon early).

 

[Agugrom]

Hi, I completed my Maki test on Tuesday, I'm just wondering how long of a wait it is before getting an update?

 

[SiTheTrainGuy]

Shift life and annual leave are pretty much the two downsides to an otherwise amazing job.

I’ve been doing it 2 years now and wouldn’t change it for anything. You make it work with afterschool clubs etc. yes I’ve missed important football matches and other events but you also get loads of time off which opens up other opportunities to be at things you wouldn’t if you had a regular 9-5.

My kids are 11 & 9 though, one of the reason I held off applying for so long was I don’t think we’d have coped when they were both under 6.

If you’re successful in the process though I wouldn’t turn it down!

 

[alliekt]

Has anyone received their email from the Northen interviews on Friday 24th?

 

[TJC3]

Hi, has anybody completed a Maki test recently after passing the paper sift? Is this is fairly new to the Northern recruitment process as I've never had to complete it before? Also I'm assuming the Maki test hasn't replaced the psychometric tests?

 

[GPR]

The Maki is just another step in the process that has been added.
Not seen much about it explained on the forum since it was added.

 

[r.t.hollingwor]

Hi,

I'm starting Driver Training for Northern this october, in Leeds.

I was just wondering if anyone has any tips for the classroom phase, and what the training resources/day to day 'lessons' are generally like?

Just working out if ipads/laptops are allowed, or if they're any use, or stick to traditional paper/folders? Are they mainly handout-style lessons where you follow along and make notes alongside?

Thanks!

 

[haidox]

Hi,

I'm starting Driver Training for Northern this october, in Leeds.

I was just wondering if anyone has any tips for the classroom phase, and what the training resources/day to day 'lessons' are generally like?

Just working out if ipads/laptops are allowed, or if they're any use, or stick to traditional paper/folders? Are they mainly handout-style lessons where you follow along and make notes alongside?

Thanks!

Hi, I've just finished the classroom part of the training in Manchester. You will be given folders and lots and lots of paper handouts during the 17 or so academy based classes. Everyone is given their own tablets but that has been hit and miss, we only got ours in weeks 5 or 6 of the course and I've heard of other groups that didn't get them at all! To be honest I never really used mine. If you are lucky you will get 1 trainer for the full course but we had 6 different trainers for the first 6 weeks and each one had his/her own way of teaching which can be confusing for the trainees.
As tips I would say don't fall behind, make sure you do some sort of revision pretty much every day. There is a lot to learn and it can be overwhelming but as long as you keep your revision up-to-date then you should be fine. As I said previously you will be given lots of paper handouts, specially policies signed by yourself and your trainer. These will be checked again just before you leave the academy and you need to have copies of all these policies and all assessments you do during the classroom period. They are in the process of doing a complete overhaul of the training programme but I'm not sure if it'll be ready by the time you start or whether they implement it from 2027. Good luck!

 

[r.t.hollingwor]

Hi, I've just finished the classroom part of the training in Manchester. You will be given folders and lots and lots of paper handouts during the 17 or so academy based classes. Everyone is given their own tablets but that has been hit and miss, we only got ours in weeks 5 or 6 of the course and I've heard of other groups that didn't get them at all! To be honest I never really used mine. If you are lucky you will get 1 trainer for the full course but we had 6 different trainers for the first 6 weeks and each one had his/her own way of teaching which can be confusing for the trainees.
As tips I would say don't fall behind, make sure you do some sort of revision pretty much every day. There is a lot to learn and it can be overwhelming but as long as you keep your revision up-to-date then you should be fine. As I said previously you will be given lots of paper handouts, specially policies signed by yourself and your trainer. These will be checked again just before you leave the academy and you need to have copies of all these policies and all assessments you do during the classroom period. They are in the process of doing a complete overhaul of the training programme but I'm not sure if it'll be ready by the time you start or whether they implement it from 2027. Good luck!

Hi,

Thanks for the detailed response - a massive help and answered more of my questions!

 

[16.19]

Hi, I've just finished the classroom part of the training in Manchester. You will be given folders and lots and lots of paper handouts during the 17 or so academy based classes. Everyone is given their own tablets but that has been hit and miss, we only got ours in weeks 5 or 6 of the course and I've heard of other groups that didn't get them at all! To be honest I never really used mine. If you are lucky you will get 1 trainer for the full course but we had 6 different trainers for the first 6 weeks and each one had his/her own way of teaching which can be confusing for the trainees.
As tips I would say don't fall behind, make sure you do some sort of revision pretty much every day. There is a lot to learn and it can be overwhelming but as long as you keep your revision up-to-date then you should be fine. As I said previously you will be given lots of paper handouts, specially policies signed by yourself and your trainer. These will be checked again just before you leave the academy and you need to have copies of all these policies and all assessments you do during the classroom period. They are in the process of doing a complete overhaul of the training programme but I'm not sure if it'll be ready by the time you start or whether they implement it from 2027. Good luck!

As above in parts;

always do your homework every night after academy and on the weekends. This really does make a huge difference as there is a massive amount to learn and retain. If you’re unsure of any aspect of your training ;ask, it will serve you well.

 

[r.t.hollingwor]

As above in parts;

always do your homework every night after academy and on the weekends. This really does make a huge difference as there is a massive amount to learn and retain. If you’re unsure of any aspect of your training ;ask, it will serve you well.

Will do - thanks for your advice too

 

[GG7]

Has anyone got access to the current pay grade scales for trainee train drivers from starting salary up to the final increment when on top pay?
Thanks

 

[juspassingby]

Has anyone got access to the current pay grade scales for trainee train drivers from starting salary up to the final increment when on top pay?
Thanks

Don't know for sure as my interview is now a blur but I believe it was (roughly):

12 months - 26k
2nd year - 52k
3rd year - 56k
4th year - 64k

That was for a Depot in Manchester, not sure if they are the same elsewhere.

 

[GG7]

Thanks mate

 

[will1989]

Don't know for sure as my interview is now a blur but I believe it was (roughly):

12 months - 26k
2nd year - 52k
3rd year - 56k
4th year - 64k

That was for a Depot in Manchester, not sure if they are the same elsewhere.

Is it really? Damn £26k for the first year is really rough! Not saying you should be on full whack straight away but it could put some people under financial stress at a time where they should be focusing on learning.

 

[Unobrow]

Is it really? Damn £26k for the first year is really rough! Not saying you should be on full whack straight away but it could put some people under financial stress at a time where they should be focusing on learning.

£26k isn’t a bad wage for someone who is learning from the bottom up. There are plenty of people who aren’t earning that and can manage (especially pensioner). I saved up when I was trying to get in to keep me going for my then currant commitment. If you want it that badly, prepare for what you know the job entails.

 

[will1989]

£26k isn’t a bad wage for someone who is learning from the bottom up. There are plenty of people who aren’t earning that and can manage (especially pensioner). I saved up when I was trying to get in to keep me going for my then currant commitment. If you want it that badly, prepare for what you know the job entails.

I'm not applying for Northern, I was just shocked that that's the starting wage and for so long. I appreciate what you're saying but to me that sort of wage in the current climate would come with additional pressures to some (especially those with young families). You're also assuming everyone is from the bottom up when I'd say there are a chunk of people that come from a railway background and already have knowledge/training of the railway infrastructure and safety critical comms.

 

[Unobrow]

I'm not applying for Northern, I was just shocked that that's the starting wage and for so long. I appreciate what you're saying but to me that sort of wage in the current climate would come with additional pressures to some (especially those with young families). You're also assuming everyone is from the bottom up when I'd say there are a chunk of people that come from a railway background and already have knowledge/training of the railway infrastructure and safety critical comms.

Unless they’re a qualified driver, they’re unlikely to know enough about it to be not classed as the bottom up. I’ve been an enthusiast all my life and knew very little in reality when I started. There’s certainly a hell of a lot more to it than infrastructure and safety critical comms that you’ve mentioned. My training wage was less than that and I had commitments, so I planned for it and managed. I’d guess it’s still more than the basic cost of living wage.

 

[will1989]

Unless they’re a qualified driver, they’re unlikely to know enough about it to be not classed as the bottom up. I’ve been an enthusiast all my life and knew very little in reality when I started. There’s certainly a hell of a lot more to it than infrastructure and safety critical comms that you’ve mentioned. My training wage was less than that and I had commitments, so I planned for it and managed. I’d guess it’s still more than the basic cost of living wage.

I'm not saying you couldn't or shouldn't be able to manage, my point is that it is a low starting salary. You can disagree with that if you like but £24k works out at minimum wage so it's barely above that. Granted it's for 1 year and it increases significantly after that, but it would definitely make some potentially very well suited candidates think twice about applying to Northern, especially given other TOCs have better initial rates.

 

[16.19]

I'm not saying you couldn't or shouldn't be able to manage, my point is that it is a low starting salary. You can disagree with that if you like but £24k works out at minimum wage so it's barely above that. Granted it's for 1 year and it increases significantly after that, but it would definitely make some potentially very well suited candidates think twice about applying to Northern, especially given other TOCs have better initial rates.

I can agree with you regarding other ToCs have a higher training wage, however, Northern recruit (at the moment at least - driver recruitment for Leeds will be slowing down to a halt in the next 24 months) more regularly than most driver traineeships.

So it’s a question of it you want it enough or wait out until your preference ToC opens recruitment

 

[Iskra]

Is it really? Damn £26k for the first year is really rough! Not saying you should be on full whack straight away but it could put some people under financial stress at a time where they should be focusing on learning.

As far as I am aware; You will most likely end up with more than £26k, I think it’s actually closer to £28k anyway now and you get free travel with Northern and they pay you from the moment you board your train to commute, so the commute time is additional to the advertised salary.

 

[will1989]

I can agree with you regarding other ToCs have a higher training wage, however, Northern recruit (at the moment at least - driver recruitment for Leeds will be slowing down to a halt in the next 24 months) more regularly than most driver traineeships.

So it’s a question of it you want it enough or wait out until your preference ToC opens recruitment

Please don't get me wrong, personally, if I lived close enough to a Northern depot I would 100% apply and would make it work.

My point is more that you have already passed a very gruelling recruitment process, and then have to spend a year of your life on a (fairly) low salary doing some of the most intense learning of most people's lives. It just seems like one extra thing for candidates to worry about.

Perhaps my views are in the minority though, so I'll refrain from posting further on the matter as to not derail the topic too much for people that are applying! Sincere good luck to those that are.

 

[Hugo3000]

As far as I am aware; You will most likely end up with more than £26k, I think it’s actually closer to £28k anyway now and you get free travel with Northern and they pay you from the moment you board your train to commute, so the commute time is additional to the advertised salary.

Ex-FNW don't get paid travel time, although ex-TPE do - I don't how if the east side get it or not.

 

[driver9000]

Please don't get me wrong, personally, if I lived close enough to a Northern depot I would 100% apply and would make it work.

My point is more that you have already passed a very gruelling recruitment process, and then have to spend a year of your life on a (fairly) low salary doing some of the most intense learning of most people's lives. It just seems like one extra thing for candidates to worry about.

Perhaps my views are in the minority though, so I'll refrain from posting further on the matter as to not derail the topic too much for people that are applying! Sincere good luck to those that are.

It's worth remembering that it's up to 12 months service. If you pass out earlier then your wage will go up to the year 1 PQA from the date you qualify instead of forcing you to wait the full 12 months.

 

[Iskra]

Ex-FNW don't get paid travel time, although ex-TPE do - I don't how if the east side get it or not.

The implication is that East side do, but I’m open to correction…

 

[skyhigh]

The implication is that East side do, but I’m open to correction…

The East side get paid travel time from their usual place of work/booking on point to the training school.

So if you were based at Hull and training in Leeds, you would be paid for the travel time to and from the training school from Hull. If you were based in Leeds, you'd get paid for the walking time from the station to the training school. You will not be paid for the time it takes you to get from home to your depot.

In practice for Leeds, you'd be told that a training day is paid as 8 hours so unless you're spending the full 8 hours in the classroom they won't give you any overtime.

Once you leave the training school you would get paid nothing for your commute into work.

 

[Iskra]

Thanks for the clarification!

 

[GG7]

Hi all,
I'd like to thank everyone who contributes to this thread and the assessments and medical thread.
The content in both threads have been a huge help for me in terms of useful information as well as advice for preparation for the different stages of the recruitment process.
I'm sure you have all been a huge help for many other candidates too.

Has anyone recently attended the trainee train driver course or is currently on a course?
I'm looking to link in with anyone who has recently attended or is currently on a course to ask a few questions to help me plan and prepare.
Thanks very much.

 

[Seehof]

As someone who has been a driver and “done “ the course you do not need to prepare anything. Go there prepared to put in a lot of work yourself when you get home.
However, always ask if you are not sure about anything. My instructor said many times, better to look a fool than be one and it is very sound advice
I remember having to do a shunt at Newcastle which I had never done before although I signed Newcastle. I rang the signaller for guidance and he could not have been more helpful.
Enjoy the course - there is much to be enjoyed! And Good Luck to all on courses.

 

[GG7]

Thanks very much