Desperate to train as a driver

[Katie Lodge]

Hi guys, this is my first post after stumbling on this site today.
I desperately want to become a train driver so have been looking for trainee positions, I am based in the North East of England (Middlesbrough) but willing to travel.
I am just wondering if there are any companies you know of planning to have a trainee intake or the best companies to keep my eye on.
Thank you

 

[Donhamer]

Scotrail are looking for drivers out of Stranraer.

 

[R Trevithick]

Not sure where your nearest Northern Rail Depot is but they have a reputation for recruiting fairly often.

 

[Sooty123]

Northern are recruiting for Darlington internally at the moment so this may come out to external candidates in the future.
Keep an eye on their recruitment website
Regularly.
http://www.northern.engageats.co.uk

 

[Sirgerbil]

Hi guys, this is my first post after stumbling on this site today.
I desperately want to become a train driver so have been looking for trainee positions, I am based in the North East of England (Middlesbrough) but willing to travel.
I am just wondering if there are any companies you know of planning to have a trainee intake or the best companies to keep my eye on.
Thank you

Out of interest why are you “desperate”?

Good luck with your journey if you do pursue it!

 

[Katie Lodge]

Out of interest why are you “desperate”?

Good luck with your journey if you do pursue it!

This is the career path I want to take and desperate as I am approaching 34 and don't want to leave it too late.
thank you for the well wishes, fingers crossed

 

[Katie Lodge]

Northern are recruiting for Darlington internally at the moment so this may come out to external candidates in the future.
Keep an eye on their recruitment website
Regularly.
http://www.northern.engageats.co.uk

Oh that is interesting, I hope they do recruit soon Darlington would be ideal. fingers crossed

 

[Lrd]

This is the career path I want to take and desperate as I am approaching 34 and don't want to leave it too late.
thank you for the well wishes, fingers crossed

You've got plenty of time, it's not unknown for people in their late 50s starting training

 

[Sirgerbil]

This is the career path I want to take and desperate as I am approaching 34 and don't want to leave it too late.
thank you for the well wishes, fingers crossed

I'm 31 and only joined the job 7 months ago! People in their 50s have been known to start training.

Don't rush head on into an application, take your time to review and understand the process and it will work in your favour.

Best of luck!

 

[Katie Lodge]

I'm 31 and only joined the job 7 months ago! People in their 50s have been known to start training.

Don't rush head on into an application, take your time to review and understand the process and it will work in your favour.

Best of luck!

Thank you, I am defiantly not rushing

 

[Aivilo]

Register on your local train operating companies websites but also check them daily. I don't like people to rush applications but once a vacancy is live don't sit on your hands as demand is huge and they generally close down quite quickly. It's worth having a look and writing down your answers on paper and then go back to complete. If you need any advice give me a shout

 

[LETHLFH]

I personally believe the easiest way to get a trainee driver position with Northern is via internal application. Have you considered other roles to get your foot in the door.

 

[Geeves]

As PH89 says if you can get into the company via a different grade it is most certainly in your favour. Rather than being up against 5000 at the sift stage (then battling the interviews if you get through that), there might only be 20 or 30 applying internally from the company for those driving jobs. Also the old days of going from guard to driver, while a well trodden path has no more benefit it would seem than applying from a booking office or station grade. I personally know a good number of people who have gone to driving after working as a despatcher for a year or two.

Good luck!

 

[Potato185]

Middlesborough is a guard depot, whereas Darlington is a driver depot.

Once internal applications close, it usually goes external after so keep your eyes peeled. But has been said, don't rush. It's always worth taking your time over these applications and give as much info as possible.

 

[Ibra]

From a guard at south western railway can you progress on to a train driver? Does this company do it internally and give you a better chance ?

 

[Bromley boy]

From a guard at south western railway can you progress on to a train driver? Does this company do it internally and give you a better chance ?

If you're in the south east there are quite a few TOCs that hire trainee drivers from "off the street".

In my view this is the best route in for someone who wishes to become a driver but doesn't wish to do another job on the railway first.

As an internal applicant you will get access to internal vacancy lists but there is no guarantee of progression from guard/dispatcher to driver. You would still need to pass the driver selection tests so, if you weren't successful, there would be a risk that you'd end up stuck in a job you didn't want to be doing.

EDIT: and remember the financial aspect. Jobs such as guard and dispatcher pay quite a bit less than driving. This might be a consideration for someone such as the OP who is changing career in their 30s, and may have large financial commitments.