50+

[JonnyBoxer]

Hello

I’ve been a long time ‘lurker’ on this website and just wanted some advice.

I’m just over 50 physically fit and active and have wanted to be a train driver for years and years.

I have a long career of hands on engineering, management, operation and maintenance of complex power plants / systems on land and at sea. I consider myself to have good ‘life skills’ and have dealt with emergency situations.

My question is would a TOC take my application seriously, in that would they invest in the training on someone my age?

I have applied for a position and have carried out two on line tests recently.

Thanking you in advance.

 

[Taylor]

Yes they would. Go for it.

 

[BoroAndy]

Hello

I’ve been a long time ‘lurker’ on this website and just wanted some advice.

I’m just over 50 physically fit and active and have wanted to be a train driver for years and years.

I have a long career of hands on engineering, management, operation and maintenance of complex power plants / systems on land and at sea. I consider myself to have good ‘life skills’ and have dealt with emergency situations.

My question is would a TOC take my application seriously, in that would they invest in the training on someone my age?

I have applied for a position and have carried out two on line tests recently.

Thanking you in advance.

I thought max age for training was 62. The basis I am applying on. They can't discriminate beyond that although I would presume they would expect at least n years of service subject to medicals.

 

[Aivilo]

Don't allow your age to out you off. I know many drivers that started well into there 50s

 

[AntoniC]

Age is just a number, if your good enough you will get hired.

 

[LOM]

I have a long career of hands on engineering, management, operation and maintenance of complex power plants / systems on land and at sea. I consider myself to have good ‘life skills’ and have dealt with emergency situations.

The experiences you list would be a very good match for a Signaller job. Have you ever considered that?

 

[JonnyBoxer]

The experiences you list would be a very good match for a Signaller job. Have you ever considered that?

To be honest it’s not something I’ve considered although I will look further into what exactly the role entails.

I live in Northumberland and I really don’t know how often or where the positions come up.

I did apply for Northern Rail as a trainee driver, but like a lot of folk on here, I did not hear anything until days before they announced the switch of TOC and that meant the end of the process.

I like many just want that chance to get to interview, obviously providing all the tests along the way are passed.

 

[9tfrizzco]

If anything I think it might work in your favour

 

[Seehof]

I was over 50 when I applied to be a driver for Northern and got the job!

 

[JonnyBoxer]

I was over 50 when I applied to be a driver for Northern and got the job!

Hello

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

That’s very encouraging indeed.

Fingers crossed!!

 

[Locomotivation]

I turn 51 this year. I passed all the assessments in December and have a DMI coming up. Can’t say age has been an issue though I was worried it might be a disadvantage. I’m now thinking that ‘life experience’ might actually give me the edge (or hoping so). Go for it. Don’t spend the rest of your life thinking “what if”!

 

[craigybagel]

2 out of 7 on my driver's course were over 50.

If you do get knocked back, but still want the job, keep on applying in the future. It's very difficult to get in, and the list of possible reasons for rejection are endless, so don't assume if it does happen it's down to your age.

 

[baz962]

I started my course , one month to the day before my 48th . I passed the assessment and was unsuccessful at the dmi , almost certainly due to my age . Luckily my current toc were more happy to recruit some older trainee's. Age isn't generally a barrier , but it could be. Good luck.

 

[JonnyBoxer]

Again, many thanks for all your comments. It is encouraging.

I am fully aware (by looking through this website) it is extremely difficult to get a trainee train drivers position and I will take nothing for granted.

I have registered for alerts with various TOC’s and keep my CV, cover letter etc on my laptop ready to apply for the position as it is apparent the positions are removed after a couple of days - if that long.

 

[CreamNCookies]

Again, many thanks for all your comments. It is encouraging.

I am fully aware (by looking through this website) it is extremely difficult to get a trainee train drivers position and I will take nothing for granted.

I have registered for alerts with various TOC’s and keep my CV, cover letter etc on my laptop ready to apply for the position as it is apparent the positions are removed after a couple of days - if that long.

I would not rely on alerts to alert you of when opportunities arise. As part of my morning routine, I check TOC career sites for vacancies. They sometimes are only there for a short amount of time and alerts never received on my part!

 

[Dieseldriver]

Aged 50 would mean a TOC should get about 10 to 15 years out of you. Enough to recoup their investment. In my view, if you have good relevant life experience and are able to learn and retain the high levels of information during training and beyond, you would be a good candidate.
Another plus point for a TOC would be weirdly, they could actually get more years out of you than they would a younger person in their 20s as someone in their 50s would probably be more likely to stick with the same TOC whereas a younger person may be more likely to apply for other companies after a few years solo driving.
Plenty of people in their 50s get jobs as Trainee Drivers so, if it's something you're keen to do, don't have any concerns about your age.
Best of luck.

 

[CGS]

To be honest it’s not something I’ve considered although I will look further into what exactly the role entails.

I live in Northumberland and I really don’t know how often or where the positions come up.

I did apply for Northern Rail as a trainee driver, but like a lot of folk on here, I did not hear anything until days before they announced the switch of TOC and that meant the end of the process.

I like many just want that chance to get to interview, obviously providing all the tests along the way are passed.

https://g.co/kgs/nH9Wzf

 

[C J Snarzell]

Age means nothing. I'd forget about any misgivings you have and keep applying. 50 is not considered to be a restrictive age anymore.

 

[JonnyBoxer]

https://g.co/kgs/nH9Wzf

Thanks for the link. I did manage to get my application in and completed the 2 on line tests before the position was removed from the website - I think it was only up for 2 days!!

 

[dawny291]

I have a long career of hands on engineering, management, operation and maintenance of complex power plants / systems on land and at sea. I consider myself to have good ‘life skills’ and have dealt with emergency situations.

As an ex Aircraft Engineer that sounds like me! I'm 49 next month and qualified as a Mainline Driver last November. Good luck.

 

[BRM_storm]

Trainee driver here, started beginning of January and turned 50 the week after. Go for it!

 

[Red1980]

Guy celebrated his 50th whilst we were all doing our training. Had never even applied for the role once before in his life.

At 50 they'll get plenty in relation to money's worth out of you.

 

[DoormanTriggs]

“Luckily my current toc were more happy to recruit some older trainee's. Age isn't generally a barrier , but it could be. Good luck.”

what TOC is it you work at ? That sounds promising !

 

[JonnyBoxer]

“Luckily my current toc were more happy to recruit some older trainee's. Age isn't generally a barrier , but it could be. Good luck.”

what TOC is it you work at ? That sounds promising !

Not sure if you’re asking me what I do or have done work wise?

I’ve had a variety of roles during my career, traction maintenance fitter for BR, Marine Engineer Officer, managed the maintenance of diesel electric power stations overseas, marine surveyor and engineering assessor.

So well traveled and have met and worked with folk from all walks of life.