Best route towards train driver ?

[Dippa]

Firstly, I would like to apologise if this question seems silly or been asked before.

What's the best route towards being a train driver ?

I understand every position will have hundreds, if not thousands apply but what's the best way to have a decent chance.

Would it help having a job within the railway ?


Any help is appreciated

 

[Andy-mc]

theres a few different routes to take really none are really better than others in the long run
- apply for trainee positions which last year and the beginning of this year has seen a fair few advertised with southern, thameslink and southeastern, think their advertising now on the GTR site

- some TOC's like east Midlands Trains and Abellio Greater Anglia seem to have a natural line of progression through starting as a shunt/depot driver

- some will say get a job on the railway first so you have some knowledge on it, although plenty of people off the street seem to get straight into trainee positions

- Just apply apply apply and don't give up

 

[Loulou]

Firstly, I would like to apologise if this question seems silly or been asked before.

What's the best route towards being a train driver ?

I understand every position will have hundreds, if not thousands apply but what's the best way to have a decent chance.

Would it help having a job within the railway ?


Any help is appreciated

I'm not in the rail industry & I think if you fit what they are looking for, then you can be in with a chance, I've recently successfully passed the assessments and am currently awaiting my interviews, I'd say research the role & make sure it's what you really want to do, keep an eye out on the TOCS job pages and apply when a trainee position comes up ,it's a very long recruitment process but take time when doing your application as you want to make it through that first sift, all the best & good luck

 

[12guard4]

You don't have to be in the rail industry already but it would help with your knowledge. I know TOCs like you to have experience of being in a responsible position. Lots of trainees at my TOC are ex fire, police few bus drivers that sort of thing. Just keep trying don't give up and when you get to an assessment stage be prepared for it.

 

[Bromley boy]

Firstly, I would like to apologise if this question seems silly or been asked before.

What's the best route towards being a train driver ?

I understand every position will have hundreds, if not thousands apply but what's the best way to have a decent chance.

Would it help having a job within the railway ?


Any help is appreciated

The most direct route is simply to apply for trainee driver roles at your local TOC.

I'd argue this is also the best route if you don't want to do any other kind of job on the railway and are willing and able to wait for an opportunity to come up.

 

[Economist]

Firstly, as Bromley Boy has said apply to your local TOC(s). Take a look at the Non-Technical Skills defined by the RSSB as you'll likely find these play a strong role in the application process. Think about how your existing skills match the NTS requirements.

This site has loads of information on the aptitude assessment process. When it comes to the final stages such as Driver Manager Interviews, it's all about being a good fit for the company.

I started a few weeks back and I'm absolutely loving it, just be prepared to be patient with the application process, it took me nearly two years to get in and that is fairly typical.

 

[LETHLFH]

I went internal route and wouldn't be a current trainee without doing so. I can safely say this as the position I got was only advertised internally as are many positions. It can also work against you, if you have wrong attitude etc they are unlikely to allow you to progress.

 

[Johncleesefan]

On that notion though if you have the wrong attitude you wont last long in the grade.

Both routes are good. You must ask yourself: How happy are you in your current job? And would you be happy in another grade on the railway first?
I would personally get on the railway first, even though I came off the street, I was applying for all grades to get into the railway industry

 

[ninhog]

It all depends whether or not you can find previous experiences to use as suitable examples during your initial application/assessment. You don't necessarily need knowledge or experience.
I worked at a bank for 9 years prior to my successful application.