Hi, I am considering a career transition and wondered if anyone could shed light on how much notice you were given from being notified of a place on a training course to actually starting? Being in the military it can be complicated to leave at short notice and noting the potential long wait times in the talent pool, I’d prefer to stay in full time paid employment.
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A career as a train driver
- Thread starter Thornaby
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RailUK Forums
Reactor Scram
Member
Hi, I'm ex RN and I made the decision to leave to ensure the services didn't stop me starting on the railway noting the 12 month notice period. It's obviously a bit of a gamble and for me it hasn't lined up exactly. I'm in 2 talent pools and all being well I should start training this year (Conditional offer given 4 months out) so I'll have been outside for just over a year. Kept busy with work here and there but depends on your life and family circumstances if that situation is tolerable.
I've seen people get a few weeks notice for a training course on the railway (source is this forum) to getting 4-6 months. Never seen longer.
Of course every branch of the all three services will offer different levels of flexibility, however, I'm pretty sure that a TOC won't offer you a course 12 months in advance. With terminal leave, annual leave and resettlement then 9 months could be ok but the problem still exists.
For reference, I put my 12 month notice in once I got into a talent pool assuming it would take some time and it has.
If you're offered a course in your notice period then you might have to turn it down but they shouldn't bin you - you just go back into the hold but definitely grab an offer if/when you get one.
Others will have their own experience of transition from the armed forces to the railway so they might pitch in.
Let me know if I can help further.
I've seen people get a few weeks notice for a training course on the railway (source is this forum) to getting 4-6 months. Never seen longer.
Of course every branch of the all three services will offer different levels of flexibility, however, I'm pretty sure that a TOC won't offer you a course 12 months in advance. With terminal leave, annual leave and resettlement then 9 months could be ok but the problem still exists.
For reference, I put my 12 month notice in once I got into a talent pool assuming it would take some time and it has.
If you're offered a course in your notice period then you might have to turn it down but they shouldn't bin you - you just go back into the hold but definitely grab an offer if/when you get one.
Others will have their own experience of transition from the armed forces to the railway so they might pitch in.
Let me know if I can help further.
Not from a military background but for me it’s taken 17 months from application to starting a course and I was offered a course with about 12 weeks notice.
Similarly to you my best mate had to leave the army before starting the process of joining the fire service though.
MoraleSponge
Member
Don't know about other services but in the RN if you have put your notice in and are offered a role outside you can try writing a formal letter to the manning officer requesting to be released a few months early, may not always work but certainly has for some people who made it clear that if they were not released they would miss out on a significant opportunity.
Thanks for all the replies and information provided. I’m currently RAF and do hear that people can leave at very short notice but it means that particular establishment will hold the gap for the remaining PVR period. Something to discuss with my CoC.
Thanks again for all the info.
Thanks again for all the info.
RobotBen91
Member
Has anyone who's had their DMI for Exeter St David's on or after July heard anything yet? Seems to have all gone very quiet with people going through and new training groups there.
Im getting sick of getting rejected at either application or at online sifts. So im doing my hgv and trying that career while still trying train driving. Need to get out the place im in and its making me super desperate to do train driving. At least if I land a hgv job I won't have such desperation and I can take my time with applying for Tocs
What transferable skills do you have?
Have you thought about applying for a different job in the railway and then try and apply from within?
1000s apply in which 100 get a chance of online tests, in which 30 may get sent for psychs in which 10 may get an interview in which there’ll be 2 jobs.
It’s hard and it takes time and ultimately the CV has to be spot on with skills that show all the attributes that a TOC will want in a perspective driver.
Just curious i'm considering transtioning to train driver career or even other roles within train indsutry. Whats the best way to increase my chance of reaching past the application stage. Plus studying train driver knowledge and practicing the bourdon test will this be useful for other roles within the railway industry. Thanks.
I thought about that but its way too much of a pay cut really. I dont mind a pay cut of course but not over half. I know it is super competitive and i know numbers on actually getting anywhere. My CV has had a big revamp making it ATS friendly and making everything nudge and be relatable towards safety and railway. I will keep trying though just need to get out of my current workplace hence the hgv path as a inbetween
I take it your CV incorporates all the NTS that TOCs and OPC understand to be fundamental for the role?
Keep at it and don’t give up. You certainly seem determined.
It’s took me a few years and I honestly could have gave up last year after getting so far in the process but didn’t and succeeded.
I have as good as I could really. I suppose can always improve. Yeah im going to continue. When/if I get into the hgvs for me thats just getting me out of a bad place of work. Just means im not so desperate clutching at every straw for the railway and I can take my time. Plug hgv could also bring a few extra skills and some knowledge that could help
itsmejuniior
Member
I can see you are from Corby and they are recruiting for signallers in Rugby. Would that something that interests you? Good pay and good company with the opportunity to enhance your non technical skills?
I think rugby is just outside the hour commute. And signalling isnt something that interests me to be honest I did look into it and tried learning sim sig to see if its something i like but nope haha. I've been waiting for EMR kettering since I started applying. But the positions keep getting delayed. Was meant to be between I think september- january. Then i emailed them and they said February. Then emailed again and they said they will know more in March. But thats the one I really really want.
Hey ,
I’ve recently been asked to go in to the assessment centre to complete the following
Please explain what we will be doing and has anyone passed these tests? Once we complete all these tests do we have a face to face with the driver management team?
Many thanks
I’ve recently been asked to go in to the assessment centre to complete the following
- The Group Bourdon Concentration Test
- The Test of Everyday Attention for Occupational Assessment (TEA-Occ)
- The Trainability for Rules and Procedures Test Part 1 and 2
Please explain what we will be doing and has anyone passed these tests? Once we complete all these tests do we have a face to face with the driver management team?
Many thanks
itsmejuniior
Member
Trainee Driver Assessment Process Tips
This forum was very helpful to me as I went through the application and assessment process to be a trainee train driver, so I thought I would pass on a few tips to help others, too! So, you made it through the paper sift and you get invited to the assessment centre – well done, you have an...
www.railforums.co.uk
This will help.
You're at stage 1 of the OPC tests which are all paper based. You will need to do stage 2 which are computerised tests and if you pass that you will have to do an interview with the OPC. After passing all these stages you will be then invited to a driver manager interview.
Hello all.
I am currently in the talent pool for GWR in Plymouth, 1 year and counting.
I work full time in Furniture retail and the hours work very well currently with my young family, school & nursery drop off and pick ups. My partner also works full time.
My question is, are there any drivers on here with young families? How is life for you? how are you finding the shift working pattern? The monotony of the driving? Do you have family support? Do you get enough time with your partner?
My default thoughts are, coming from the 'outside' and getting into the talent pool, I'd be letting myself down if I were to not give the role a good go however I'm always left searching for answers to the questions above and the what if's.
It'd be great to hear from those who have/have had young families whilst they are drivers to get some tips and to hear how you've managed over the years.
Thank you in advance.
I am currently in the talent pool for GWR in Plymouth, 1 year and counting.
I work full time in Furniture retail and the hours work very well currently with my young family, school & nursery drop off and pick ups. My partner also works full time.
My question is, are there any drivers on here with young families? How is life for you? how are you finding the shift working pattern? The monotony of the driving? Do you have family support? Do you get enough time with your partner?
My default thoughts are, coming from the 'outside' and getting into the talent pool, I'd be letting myself down if I were to not give the role a good go however I'm always left searching for answers to the questions above and the what if's.
It'd be great to hear from those who have/have had young families whilst they are drivers to get some tips and to hear how you've managed over the years.
Thank you in advance.
Hi mate, since no one has responded yet- there was a similar question to yours asked a little while ago if I remember correctly. If you search ‘children’ or ‘kids’ in this thread and the GWR one a few conversations pop up.
I’m only just about to start my training and don’t have kids so I won’t have anything to add to the conversation but in general it seems like there are pros and cons. Cons-could miss the odd school play and bedtime/morning routines. Pros-you’ll have days off during the week for the school run and a well paid job with financial stability.
I’m only just about to start my training and don’t have kids so I won’t have anything to add to the conversation but in general it seems like there are pros and cons. Cons-could miss the odd school play and bedtime/morning routines. Pros-you’ll have days off during the week for the school run and a well paid job with financial stability.
There’s definitely a lot of sacrifice to be made and your other half will definitely have to pick up the slack.
An early shift such as a 0345-1230 you’re going to have to go to sleep early the night before, miss a school run and then be tired the following evening. If a child is ill the other half has to get up and tend to the child as you need to be fully rested for the following shift and 5 hours of broken sleep isn’t great in such a safety critical role where you need to be 100%, especially in the early years when you are new to the job.
Same goes for a middle 0900-1800, you can’t do the school run or a pick up so you’d be using breakfast clubs and whatnot.
If your partner is full time too, do you have a support system regards to grandparents? They’re a big help for us.
An early shift such as a 0345-1230 you’re going to have to go to sleep early the night before, miss a school run and then be tired the following evening. If a child is ill the other half has to get up and tend to the child as you need to be fully rested for the following shift and 5 hours of broken sleep isn’t great in such a safety critical role where you need to be 100%, especially in the early years when you are new to the job.
Same goes for a middle 0900-1800, you can’t do the school run or a pick up so you’d be using breakfast clubs and whatnot.
If your partner is full time too, do you have a support system regards to grandparents? They’re a big help for us.
Interestingly this was one of the questions I was asked at DMI. I currently work for the police and shifts and safety critical work match quite well with that of a train driver.
A very understanding and supporting partner is what helps with my shifts currently and with my move to being a driver when I start in July.
Reactor Scram
Member
Hi Everyone, I've got a start date to begin driver training in July and obviously delighted.
The forum has been a great help, so thank you.
First applied for a trainee train driver role in Sept 23 and a psychometric fail, a long talent pool wait and different TOC later got an offer.
Keep applying and don't give up and if there's questions on any of the process I'll help where I can.
The forum has been a great help, so thank you.
First applied for a trainee train driver role in Sept 23 and a psychometric fail, a long talent pool wait and different TOC later got an offer.
Keep applying and don't give up and if there's questions on any of the process I'll help where I can.
Congratulations! All the best with your new role! I started applying last year but unfortunately failed my ATAVT test at the beginning of April. Now I have the year long wait before I can reapply - gutted but fingers crossed I will get there one day! Good luck and well done
Reactor Scram
Member
Thank you - I've written a few times about this test as it's one I failed as well, first time. My message history has a few more posts on it but I think the quoted ones are best.
This is what I used - worked really well for me:
Best of luck.
Thanks for that - definitely one I will be looking at 'if' I get back to the psychometric stages again. I was doing a few from various sites and seemed to be doing really well - I have no idea what happened during the test but it did seem a lot faster! Thanks for the advice
Ben C Smith
New Member
Hi everyone, this is my first post on here. I am looking to leave my current job in the public sector and start a new career on the railways. Ideally, I want to be a train driver where I can invest AT LEAST 15 years of committed duty. I am easily within one hour of all main network driver depots in London. Could anyone tell me how often external vacancies are posted for these please. I am registered with all networks and am checking for vacancies on a daily basis. CV is done and I am doing lots of online practice tests. I am seriously committed to starting this as my next career. Many thanks…..Ben
Train Me Up
Member
Hello, my question is regarding the SWR careers page - I've signed up for email alerts 3 times over the last 4 months and not received a single job alert.
Anyone else experienced this? Any advice as to how to know exactly when they come up as I know they're never online for very long so you have to be quick! Cheers
Anyone else experienced this? Any advice as to how to know exactly when they come up as I know they're never online for very long so you have to be quick! Cheers
I signed up for driver job alerts for my area and was waiting over 8 months at least before I had a notification that an advert was posted.
srawlings94
New Member
I am very interested in becoming a freight driver out of Eastleigh and I recently noticed a job advertised I was just wondering if any one have any information on the shift pattern and average working week hours I no days and nights are involved but I was just looking to see if anyone had any more information on how long shifts generally last and what times you usually book on finish etc how often you lodge away any info would be greatly appreciated
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Oldtraindriver
New Member
I realise this is an old question but I've only just come across it..
1977 my interview at st pancras for a secondman position at cricklewood was very basic, had i ever been up before 0600, did i own an alarm clock, how would I get to leagrave station from dunstable..
I helped a milkman at weekends so up at 0330.
Yes I owned an alarm clock.
I was 16 so I'd run the 3+ miles
Welcomed aboard with a handshake.
Retired in September 2022..
75A
Established Member
In 1979 I was a 'Trackman' in Brighton No 1 Kango Gang, made an Internal application and started as a secondman @ Brighton of 04/02/80.
I lived in Hove, so walked to work.