Any Ex Armed Forces that have recently trained to be a driver.

[Beeksy]

Hello and good evening all, I'm currently serving in the armed forces and have now got my heart set on a career change within the Rail industry as a Train Driver.
I'm after information reference anyone that has made the move across as well as anything that could aid me getting my first step on the ladder.
I've been lurking and taking in what info I can, and it's clear already that this is not a walk in to type of job.
In order for me to leave, I have to give 1 years notice, so would anyone recommend applying for positions now given the lengthy selection process and is there any way of getting in to a talent pool given my situation of being employed with notice to serve.
My thankfulness in advance to any advise given.

 

[MartinB1]

Hi, I've recently qualified as a driver with South West Trains after having been a guard with them for 4 years. I walked into that job after 5 years in the Royal Navy. I know that SWT in particular like taking on ex forces. Guard to Driver is a natural progression if being a driver is what you want. I know of ex forces who have joined straight as a driver, however I feel it is easier if you go down the guard route and apply for driver straight away being willing to go on a waiting list for a few years. I was lucky as the RN were making redundancies at the time, so I could get out quite quickly forgoing a pay off. The thing with the forces is taking the plunge putting the notice in, and hoping that at the end of the 12 months you can get a job isn't it? If you have a job offer is there no way you can get out a bit earlier?

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[TheEdge]

In general all the TOCs love hiring ex-forces, you tick a lot of the desirable attributes before you even do an assessment.

 

[Beeksy]

Thanks for the reply's , I've been putting my CV together gearing it towards the job in hand, as I operate an armoured vehicle that's governed by strict drivers hours etc and maintenance schedules I'm hoping this will go in my favour.
South West Trains would be my preference as I'm from their catchment area, but there are no jobs to apply for at present.
Would it be possible to apply with someone else to get the relevant testing done to then sit in a talent pool for when a job comes available with SWT or does it not work like that.

 

[8ball]

I'm ex navy and currently on drivers course. Took the best part of 3 years of trying to get my foot in the door but we'll worth the wait. The TOC's do seem.to favour ex forces/police/prison service for obvious reasons.
Best advise I can give us be patient, and have a contingency plan, even if you get to the talent pool stage your still not guaranteed a job, and things can change quickly in this industry.

 

[col68]

Just passed out as a driver last Thursday. I was in army 5 years. They really value ex forces.

 

[Beeksy]

Did you join straight from the army, how long did it take from signing off?

 

[JohnFM]

Thanks for the reply's , I've been putting my CV together gearing it towards the job in hand, as I operate an armoured vehicle that's governed by strict drivers hours etc and maintenance schedules I'm hoping this will go in my favour.
South West Trains would be my preference as I'm from their catchment area, but there are no jobs to apply for at present.
Would it be possible to apply with someone else to get the relevant testing done to then sit in a talent pool for when a job comes available with SWT or does it not work like that.

Beeksy, in short, No! You apply for jobs as and when they come up in the area you want. It doesn't translate that you can transfer mid application process to a different company.

If I may put in my two penneth = The issue is that during the application process you could be in the recruitment pool for a couple of years before they call you up and say that you have a place on a training course in two months time!!

You can PVR up to 2 years ahead though, so I would, personally, do that. Check here every two - three days for jobs, or on their own recruitment pages and get your resettlement done. Any courses will do, there are no railway specific courses you can do. Mine was property maintenance which has proven to be most useful!

Future proofing your availability is absolutely key. I would apply for and take any civilian job. This places you in a far, far better tactical position to leave a job at 30 days instead of 1 year!

Why is this important?

I have seen many people be refused an early exit despite being offered a job because they expected to be released as and when. It doesn't work like that. One young chap even brought in his new Boss to work to plead with the CO and it only meant that the next nine months was totally miserable for the individual!

I was 27 years in the RAF, then working for 18 months in the Civil Service before I got in. My application was all completed during my resettlement.

 

[Orchid]

I am also ex-forces and now driving. I had to do the dreaded 12 months notice but at the time I didn't really have any commitments so it didn't matter if I came out to a railway job or not. I ended up working in a shop for a few months before making the move across to the railway (in an entry level job) before moving into driving.

I can only echo what's already been said, railway HR are very keen on ex-forces (including police) as the number of transferable skills are considerable. I cannot emphasise enough how important it is to apply as and when jobs become available, they are not open for long and generally companies won't hold cv's for trainee driver positions - with several thousand applicants per recruitment drive there is no need. If you get offered a job your CO may allow you to waive some of your notice, obviously that depends on operational requirements. If not then railway HR may hold you over until a course is available when you are outside, but obviously it is preferable to leave early if you can.

Also if you can afford not to then don't limit yourself to drivers jobs - it is worth getting your foot in the door any way you can then applying internally for driving, this is usually a wise move if the expiration of your 12 months notice is looming.

For your applications I recommend reading this leaflet on Non-technical skills, it will give you a good idea of the transferrable skills which the railway is looking for and you can think of examples of how you have met them. Construct your applications around them.
http://www.rssb.co.uk/Library/improving-industry-performance/2012-leaflet-non-technical-skills.pdf

 

[Beeksy]

Brought a civi boss into work!!! That's shocking.
Thanks for that info, I'm considering getting all my CPC and dangerous goods in the bag so I can gain driving work whilst getting the process under way. Having a family to support I will need to maintain a level of pay and have no issue working every hour needed to do this.
What do you mean by PVR?
Regards.

 

[JohnFM]

It's the RAF term, Premature Voluntary Release, for old farts. Using JPA it's your eight clicks to freedom!

Sounds like you've got a plan. Bang in your notice then start planning. The resettlement process is pretty good once you get going but even using the full 2 years notice it goes quick!

 

[Beeksy]

My notice is only a year from putting my chit in, which will soon go, so I'll need to be active and on the ball.
This looks like something I'm going to have to put a lot of time and patience into as I have done with this job. Hopefully it will work out.

 

[JohnFM]

Have a look in the JSP. Your Regt might be asking for 1 year but you could go to your max of 2 if you wanted it.

 

[Beeksy]

I am also ex-forces and now driving. I had to do the dreaded 12 months notice but at the time I didn't really have any commitments so it didn't matter if I came out to a railway job or not. I ended up working in a shop for a few months before making the move across to the railway (in an entry level job) before moving into driving.

I can only echo what's already been said, railway HR are very keen on ex-forces (including police) as the number of transferable skills are considerable. I cannot emphasise enough how important it is to apply as and when jobs become available, they are not open for long and generally companies won't hold cv's for trainee driver positions - with several thousand applicants per recruitment drive there is no need. If you get offered a job your CO may allow you to waive some of your notice, obviously that depends on operational requirements. If not then railway HR may hold you over until a course is available when you are outside, but obviously it is preferable to leave early if you can.

Also if you can afford not to then don't limit yourself to drivers jobs - it is worth getting your foot in the door any way you can then applying internally for driving, this is usually a wise move if the expiration of your 12 months notice is looming.

For your applications I recommend reading this leaflet on Non-technical skills, it will give you a good idea of the transferrable skills which the railway is looking for and you can think of examples of how you have met them. Construct your applications around them.
http://www.rssb.co.uk/Library/improving-industry-performance/2012-leaflet-non-technical-skills.pdf

Sorry Orchid I didn't see this comment till now, thanks for the information.
I see from all the comments given that if a job becomes available, I could present myself as a good candidate, but now need to consider something to cover the potential 3 year wait before hand.
It's going to be difficult taking the plunge and asking to leave given the small odds of getting where I want to be.
In the words of Delboy "he who dares Rodders, he who dares..."

 

[JohnFM]

Sorry Orchid I didn't see this comment till now, thanks for the information.
I see from all the comments given that if a job becomes available, I could present myself as a good candidate, but now need to consider something to cover the potential 3 year wait before hand.
It's going to be difficult taking the plunge and asking to leave given the small odds of getting where I want to be.
In the words of Delboy "he who dares Rodders, he who dares..."

Yes, you do have to dare.

Your choices are only available in two flavours:

1. Leave the Army strategically making yourself available for future employment.

2. Don't leave the Army. Forget about being a train driver.

If the end game is to get a job as a train driver you only have one choice. It's a big, big jump to make, I feel your pain. Good luck.