Avanti - Trainee Train Drivers - Recruitment Discussion

[PF19]

Appears all jobs have reopened!
If you missed your shot then take it again ASAP before they close again;

 

[Jordan1991]

That’s a few years out of date. It’s a 60 week link now but it does follow the same principle - week of RDs every 5 weeks etc.

The T&Cs at Avanti are worse compared to other TOCs but the salary is higher which offsets it.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 1 Mar 2023 ==



I don’t think there’ll be any further large scale recruitment campaigns this year. Manchester has re-opened but who knows for how long.

What do you mean by a 60 week link mate? Do you have anything more up to date or know where I could find anything?

 

[FManc]

What do you mean by a 60 week link mate? Do you have anything more up to date or know where I could find anything?

So the roster at depots tend to be made up of different links. Links are generally organised by seniority in the grade and tend to have differing work in them (at Manchester there isn’t much variance in the work apart from the top link signing Preston).

Each link contains a certain number of lines in them which is what you work week by week. That roster you posted is a 20 week link which you’d work through. The current roster is a 60 week link though so quite different from what it used to be. Unfortunately I can’t post the current roster but once you start you’ll be able to see what it’s like.

 

[Chippychips]

So the roster at depots tend to be made up of different links.

Is it correct to believe that Sundays are outside the working week (but committed) and paid at basic flat rate without a booking on payment?

Whereas RDW is booking on payment + flat rate?

 

[JLyons]

In the FAQ section it mentions the below about the 2 lives and enhanced tests;

“The only exception being that Avanti and several other train operators use enhanced standards on assessments whereas others operate what is called RSSB standard which is the minimum set by the Rail Standards Board. Individuals can sometimes pass to the RSSB standard but not Avanti Standard. On these occasions if they pass to RSSB standard but not Avanti they use up a lifetime attempt for Avanti but not others that operate RSSB Standard.”

So I emailed recruitment for some clarification as I failed a test on two occasions with a FOC who had enhanced pass marks, but I passed everything to RSSB standard. My question was do these 2 lost enhanced lives with the FOC, only rule me out with that particular FOC, or with any FOC / TOC, that have enhanced pass marks. They got back to me saying they couldn’t answer that and would have to check with the OPC.

Have any of you guys been in a similar situation?

 

[FManc]

Is it correct to believe that Sundays are outside the working week (but committed) and paid at basic flat rate without a booking on payment?

Whereas RDW is booking on payment + flat rate?

Correct!

 

[Jordan1991]

Is it correct to believe that Sundays are outside the working week (but committed) and paid at basic flat rate without a booking on payment?

Whereas RDW is booking on payment + flat rate?

How does a booking on payment + flat rate work mate?

 

[Chippychips]

How does a booking on payment + flat rate work mate?

Not sure of the specifics for avanti but they will pay you say for example:
£100 for booking on or sometimes called 'availability payment'
Then your shift hours at flat rate (i.e 7 hour shift x £37 hourly rate)
So you will recieve £100+£259 (£359 pre-tax)

 

[Jordan1991]

Not sure of the specifics for avanti but they will pay you say for example:
£100 for booking on or sometimes called 'availability payment'
Then your shift hours at flat rate (i.e 7 hour shift x £37 hourly rate)
So you will recieve £100+£259 (£359 pre-tax)

Right ok thanks, I wasn’t aware that you get extra payments. I thought it was just like time and a half or something.. not bad I guess! Although you’d do well to come out with half of that after tax

 

[ratbag]

Does anybody know the maximum travelling time to your depot of choice, that Avanti accept? Is it 60 minutes by car, or less, or more?

 

[FlyinScotsman.]

Does anybody know the maximum travelling time to your depot of choice, that Avanti accept? Is it 60 minutes by car, or less, or more?

Within 60 minuets without the use of public transport

 

[EchoMike]

Interesting that some roles re-opened, must of been a system issue. More places to throw your hat in the ring for is always nice.

 

[Archvile]

Does anybody know the maximum travelling time to your depot of choice, that Avanti accept? Is it 60 minutes by car, or less, or more?

60 minutes, although I think they accept relocation as I live 1 hr 5 mins from my chosen depot and got through.

 

[Sorcerer]

I think operators are more lenient or forgiving on depots within London. When I was going through the process I had met candidates from Milton Keynes and Stevenage.

 

[FlyinScotsman.]

Think I’ve read somewhere on here that you only get 5 days holiday entitlement per year plus your standard block weeks (4 or 5). Plus you get a week of spares where they can move your rest day at short notice

Anyone who works a full time job and full time hours is legally entitled to at least 28 days paid annual leave. As for the shifts with Avanti, where you have every 5th week off. This cannot count towards annual leave due to it being accrued rest days that you’re already entitled to, taken in a block period.

 

[Indistinct]

I literally can’t find anything apart from a picture of a roster for them. It looks pretty packed but I don’t think it’s too bad in all honesty. Is there something else I’m missing apart from the 5-6 day working week?

Euston roster is very different from that old one that’s been posted several times.
8-10 RDs every 6th and 7th week alternating and a long weekend in the middle however when working it’s pretty intense. There’s a block of something like 17 days with only 1 RD in the middle!

 

[baz962]

Anyone who works a full time job and full time hours is legally entitled to at least 28 days paid annual leave. As for the shifts with Avanti, where you have every 5th week off. This cannot count towards annual leave due to it being accrued rest days that you’re already entitled to, taken in a block period.

Although it's generally described as 28 days, it actually isn't days it's hours. They say it as days to make it easier for people to work out and the 28 is based on the generic 5 day 40 hour week. For example a person who works 4 shifts on and 4 off and 12 hours each shift is only entitled to 20 days off a year. Most train companies work around a 35 hour week and so it isn't 28 days.

 

[Some guy]

So the roster at depots tend to be made up of different links. Links are generally organised by seniority in the grade and tend to have differing work in them (at Manchester there isn’t much variance in the work apart from the top link signing Preston).

Each link contains a certain number of lines in them which is what you work week by week. That roster you posted is a 20 week link which you’d work through. The current roster is a 60 week link though so quite different from what it used to be. Unfortunately I can’t post the current roster but once you start you’ll be able to see what it’s like.

It will be interesting to know if they sign to Lancaster as Manchester drivers normally bring the morning service via Bolton or park side junction

 

[FlyinScotsman.]

Although it's generally described as 28 days, it actually isn't days it's hours. They say it as days to make it easier for people to work out and the 28 is based on the generic 5 day 40 hour week. For example a person who works 4 shifts on and 4 off and 12 hours each shift is only entitled to 20 days off a year. Most train companies work around a 35 hour week and so it isn't 28 days.

I get what you’re saying. The point I was trying to get across is that the accrued rest days taken in a block period can’t count towards annual leave.

 

[springtide]

Anyone who works a full time job and full time hours is legally entitled to at least 28 days paid annual leave. As for the shifts with Avanti, where you have every 5th week off. This cannot count towards annual leave due to it being accrued rest days that you’re already entitled to, taken in a block period.

That's good to know.

Does anyone have an example of an Avanti shift pattern?

I've applied for a driver role the first time. I heard the applications window is sometimes just a few hours, so tried to overcome the system issues on Tuesday, with the webpages crashing >10 times every time I tried to move to the next step (I've since seen it's working fine now); this resulted in a fairly poor / rushed application so I'm not optimistic.

Also I have no experience in the rail industry and I'm in my 40's, but would love to do this as a career change.

 

[colleymore]

That's good to know.

Does anyone have an example of an Avanti shift pattern?

I've applied for a driver role the first time. I heard the applications window is sometimes just a few hours, so tried to overcome the system issues on Tuesday, with the webpages crashing >10 times every time I tried to move to the next step (I've since seen it's working fine now); this resulted in a fairly poor / rushed application so I'm not optimistic.

Also I have no experience in the rail industry and I'm in my 40's, but would love to do this as a career change.

Have a look on page three. Someone posted a screenshot of one yesterday.

 

[SuperS16v]

That's good to know.

Does anyone have an example of an Avanti shift pattern?

I've applied for a driver role the first time. I heard the applications window is sometimes just a few hours, so tried to overcome the system issues on Tuesday, with the webpages crashing >10 times every time I tried to move to the next step (I've since seen it's working fine now); this resulted in a fairly poor / rushed application so I'm not optimistic.

Also I have no experience in the rail industry and I'm in my 40's, but would love to do this as a career change.

 

[Indistinct]

That roster is quite old and probably bears no relevance to any other depot. Euston certainly is nothing like that one.

I don’t think you’ll get anyone posting an up to date roster unfortunately. Even if you did there will be different links and different work at each depot.

If you’re applying as a trainee I wouldn’t get too hung up on the work, just go with wherever you can get in. It’s a great opportunity for anyone looking to become a driver.

 

[springtide]

fantastic, thanks @SuperS16v & @colleymore

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 Mar 2023 ==

That roster is quite old and probably bears no relevance to any other depot. Euston certainly is nothing like that one.

I don’t think you’ll get anyone posting an up to date roster unfortunately. Even if you did there will be different links and different work at each depot.

If you’re applying as a trainee I wouldn’t get too hung up on the work, just go with wherever you can get in. It’s a great opportunity for anyone looking to become a driver.

ah understood, thank you. It was just to get an idea, so it's all good.

 

[FlyinScotsman.]

Edit

 

[MancLady]

Avanti are doing a bit of a push for female drivers, are there any mums who can say what it's like? I would love this job but my youngest is only 1 and oldest 5. However with 9-5 I still don't see them after the commute. Drop off and pick up for 5days sounds bliss.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 Mar 2023 ==

Avanti are doing a bit of a push for female drivers, are there any mums who can say what it's like? I would love this job but my youngest is only 1 and oldest 5. However with 9-5 I still don't see them after the commute. Drop off and pick up for 5days sounds bliss.

Are there really only a very few female drivers in anyone's experience?

 

[colleymore]

Which other TOC's operate out of Wolverhampton?

 

[dereksingh291]

Which other TOC's operate out of Wolverhampton?

West Midlands Trains have a depot based at Wolverhampton including Avanti West Coast.

 

[SuperS16v]

I’m very surprised to still see every advert up when they shut tomorrow!

 

[EchoMike]

I’m very surprised to still see every advert up when they shut tomorrow!

Surely if your applying now you will have no chance, your application would be so far down the list.