EMR - Trainee Depot Driver - Nottingham & Derby (21/02/25)

[Salesy]

Job Vacancy at East Midlands Railway: Trainee Depot Driver - Nottingham and Derby

Please note the minimum age requirement to apply for this role is 21 and you MUST live within 45 minutes of either Nottingham or Derby station.We are proud to be One Team at East Midlands Railway (EMR). We are passionate about keeping people safe...

jobs.eastmidlandsrailway.co.uk

Talent Pool. £34,572 during training, rising to £46,096.

Must live within 45 minutes of either Nottingham or Derby Stations.

 

[Ffstu107]

For anyone interested

Trainee Depot Driver - Nottingham and Derby - 2025-TDD
Closing date: 02 Mar 2025

Job Vacancy at East Midlands Railway: Trainee Depot Driver - Nottingham and Derby

Please note the minimum age requirement to apply for this role is 21 and you MUST live within 45 minutes of either Nottingham or Derby station.We are proud to be One Team at East Midlands Railway (EMR). We are passionate about keeping people safe...

jobs.eastmidlandsrailway.co.uk

 

[sebspeed]

Morning all,

Can anyone tell me a little more about the pay scales for this role please?

I understand that this is probably linked to the apprenticeship scheme, but I can’t seem to find any information on timescales.

I’d love the job, but I’m just assessing the financial impact that it might have, and trying to plan ahead!

Many thanks
Chris

 

[robt100]

Seems google maps strikes again for me. Nottingham is 40mins drive, but GM says 45min to the station, and, even though its 100yards away, 50mins to the depot! I'm sure before I started looking in earnest all the TOCs had a 60min limit??
@sebspeed Payscale wise I'd assume its a semi-instant changeover once training is complete, as its not much of a jump in wages.

 

[L0utrain]

Seems google maps strikes again for me. Nottingham is 40mins drive, but GM says 45min to the station, and, even though its 100yards away, 50mins to the depot! I'm sure before I started looking in earnest all the TOCs had a 60min limit??
@sebspeed Payscale wise I'd assume its a semi-instant changeover once training is complete, as its not much of a jump in wages.

A lot of TOCs are 60 minutes you’re right. Whenever I have seen EMR advertise, it’s always 45 minutes. It’s a shame if they are strict for the sake of 5 minutes. I have applied for this role as I am within the commuting times, but I have applied for West Mids before. As I was 5 minutes over, my application was denied. Very frustrating. If you put an application in, hopefully they are lenient

 

[Class2ldn]

They wont be lenient, the times are there to help manage fatigue, there has to be a cut off and with an influx of people applying it's one of the easiest ways to filter people out.

 

[Ducatist4]

They will get hundreds, maybe thousands of applicants. They can afford to be choosey I'm afraid.

 

[robt100]

Yup, already been burned by the strict cut-offs. Wish they used a more accurate system then google maps though, it always adds a good 5mins to actual times which is what has put me outside 2 jobs so far.
Anyone know which TOCs use the 60min limit vs 45mins?

 

[Colin1980]

There is a direct correlation between time of commute and absenteeism and incidents. Also even 45min in a car at 0600 after working through the night is incredibly dangerous.

 

[Busyboy89]

Yes the railway is a very reactive industry, something will happen and they will then change the rules/regs so that incident/accident never happens again. Sometimes makes you roll your eyes but that’s the way it is.

 

[LCC106]

Seems google maps strikes again for me. Nottingham is 40mins drive, but GM says 45min to the station, and, even though its 100yards away, 50mins to the depot! I'm sure before I started looking in earnest all the TOCs had a 60min limit??
@sebspeed Payscale wise I'd assume its a semi-instant changeover once training is complete, as its not much of a jump in wages.

Worth a punt anyway.

 

[LordChab]

I got an email this morning saying my application won’t be taken any further. No reason stated, rather frustrating as I spent a good number of days on my application and it seems it wasn’t even looked at. I have railway experience and live 20 mins away, but no dice.
I’ll try again next year.

 

[Ducatist4]

I believe they do the initial sift by computer, its probably that there were more than enough people who were slightly better suited to the role than you are.

 

[gazgareth]

I received an email to state I have been shortlisted.

 

[PinkBanana99]

I applied for this, I was a Signaller for nearly 5 years and I'm currently a TOC Duty Control Manager. I've worked out it's worth the pay cut in the short term. I think they do an initial computer sift as said above.

In response to other comments, I applied for Northern last month and was rejected automatically due to being 46 minutes away on Google Maps. I was advised to reapply for Northern when I've moved house, so I've gone for EMR instead (my new house is still within EMR limits).

 

[gazgareth]

Received this email.

Group exercises sounds cheesy and my idea of hell! Do other companies do this as haven't seen this type of exercise before:-


Ok so, what happens at the assessment day?

The assessments will consist of some group exercises and individual exercises; all designed to bring the best out of you. We want to see your personality and passion for the driver role you've applied for. So we want you to come with an open mind and lots of energy!
Should you have a disability or require a particular adjustment to be made to allow you to fully participate in the recruitment process, please ensure that you contact the recruitment team to make us aware.

Best of luck with the assessment and we are looking forward to seeing you.

 

[Unobrow]

Received this email.

Group exercises sounds cheesy and my idea of hell! Do other companies do this as haven't seen this type of exercise before:-


Ok so, what happens at the assessment day?

The assessments will consist of some group exercises and individual exercises; all designed to bring the best out of you. We want to see your personality and passion for the driver role you've applied for. So we want you to come with an open mind and lots of energy!
Should you have a disability or require a particular adjustment to be made to allow you to fully participate in the recruitment process, please ensure that you contact the recruitment team to make us aware.

Best of luck with the assessment and we are looking forward to seeing you.

I’ve done an EMR assessment day. I won’t divulge what we had to do because I can’t remember everything and they could well have changed it all (and it’s not fair to be honest). What I will say, is that being a shrinking violet probably won’t do you any favours, but neither will being a cocky know it all.

 

[LCC106]

@Unobrow EXACTLY that! Sharing info isn’t fair. They’re looking for natural interactions. I hope it went well.

@gazgareth The first time I did a group exercise was 2004(?) so they have been around for a long time. Unrelated industry though.

 

[gazgareth]

@Unobrow EXACTLY that! Sharing info isn’t fair. They’re looking for natural interactions. I hope it went well.

@gazgareth The first time I did a group exercise was 2004(?) so they have been around for a long time. Unrelated industry though.

Aware they have been around a long time, just never seen it mentioned in this industry.

 

[RileyDog2018]

So I have passed the EMR Assesment day, now onto the DMI which I have next week. I have been researching and preparing, especially using the STAR method.
I am getting nervous, but I am especially worried about if I get asked anything technical with regards to trains?? I have seena couple of comments that suggest thus is something they might ask?? Is this something I should prepare for, if so, how should I go about it?
I know very little about trains and the train network, I am currently a HGV driver and applied when seeing the advert. I can't say, like so many on this forum, that i always wanted to be a train driver so haven't got that previous interest in the technical stuff. Having applied for the role, I do believe after reading lots on this forum and elsewhere that I could do well in the job. But I have no contacts who currently work as a driver so haven't no one to seek guidance from.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[43066]

So I have passed the EMR Assesment day, now onto the DMI which I have next week. I have been researching and preparing, especially using the STAR method.
I am getting nervous, but I am especially worried about if I get asked anything technical with regards to trains?? I have seena couple of comments that suggest thus is something they might ask?? Is this something I should prepare for, if so, how should I go about it?
I know very little about trains and the train network, I am currently a HGV driver and applied when seeing the advert. I can't say, like so many on this forum, that i always wanted to be a train driver so haven't got that previous interest in the technical stuff. Having applied for the role, I do believe after reading lots on this forum and elsewhere that I could do well in the job. But I have no contacts who currently work as a driver so haven't no one to seek guidance from.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

The process is designed for people with no prior railway knowledge, so I wouldn’t worry about not knowing anything much about traction etc.

It’ll be more focussed on the skills the job spec asks for and how you demonstrate those.

 

[Unobrow]

So I have passed the EMR Assesment day, now onto the DMI which I have next week. I have been researching and preparing, especially using the STAR method.
I am getting nervous, but I am especially worried about if I get asked anything technical with regards to trains?? I have seena couple of comments that suggest thus is something they might ask?? Is this something I should prepare for, if so, how should I go about it?
I know very little about trains and the train network, I am currently a HGV driver and applied when seeing the advert. I can't say, like so many on this forum, that i always wanted to be a train driver so haven't got that previous interest in the technical stuff. Having applied for the role, I do believe after reading lots on this forum and elsewhere that I could do well in the job. But I have no contacts who currently work as a driver so haven't no one to seek guidance from.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I’m on ex-HGV driver and now in the job. Whilst I am an enthusiast, there weren’t any relevant questions when I did a DMI with EMR. I would get to grips with non-technical skills though. Good luck.

 

[RileyDog2018]

The process is designed for people with no prior railway knowledge, so I wouldn’t worry about not knowing anything much about traction etc.

It’ll be more focussed on the skills the job spec asks for and how you demonstrate those.

I’m on ex-HGV driver and now in the job. Whilst I am an enthusiast, there weren’t any relevant questions when I did a DMI with EMR. I would get to grips with non-technical skills though. Good luck.

I appreciate your replies, and feel a little better about the interview. Still nervous, but that's good right? Shows i really want to be successful. Will be spending the weekend prepping for the interview next week.
Thank you.

 

[43066]

I appreciate your replies, and feel a little better about the interview. Still nervous, but that's good right? Shows i really want to be successful. Will be spending the weekend prepping for the interview next week.
Thank you.

Absolutely - the fact you’re researching beforehand is a very good sign. Best of luck with it!

 

[LCC106]

Look into the company, its values, beliefs, routes and traction. Then think about the key skills needed and what experience you can bring to this from your current job. Good luck!

 

[gazgareth]

So I have passed the EMR Assesment day, now onto the DMI which I have next week. I have been researching and preparing, especially using the STAR method.
I am getting nervous, but I am especially worried about if I get asked anything technical with regards to trains?? I have seena couple of comments that suggest thus is something they might ask?? Is this something I should prepare for, if so, how should I go about it?
I know very little about trains and the train network, I am currently a HGV driver and applied when seeing the advert. I can't say, like so many on this forum, that i always wanted to be a train driver so haven't got that previous interest in the technical stuff. Having applied for the role, I do believe after reading lots on this forum and elsewhere that I could do well in the job. But I have no contacts who currently work as a driver so haven't no one to seek guidance from.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

What was the assessment day like? I couldn't make the date, but hoping they release more dates in future.

Thanks

 

[derbyshireguy]

So I have passed the EMR Assesment day, now onto the DMI which I have next week. I have been researching and preparing, especially using the STAR method.
I am getting nervous, but I am especially worried about if I get asked anything technical with regards to trains?? I have seena couple of comments that suggest thus is something they might ask?? Is this something I should prepare for, if so, how should I go about it?
I know very little about trains and the train network, I am currently a HGV driver and applied when seeing the advert. I can't say, like so many on this forum, that i always wanted to be a train driver so haven't got that previous interest in the technical stuff. Having applied for the role, I do believe after reading lots on this forum and elsewhere that I could do well in the job. But I have no contacts who currently work as a driver so haven't no one to seek guidance from.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

How did the interview go?

 

[RileyDog2018]

What was the assessment day like? I couldn't make the date, but hoping they release more dates in future.

Thanks

It was very similar to group assessment days I have been to before. I think they all run the same way. We got split into groups and then set exercises/discussions. After that you need to present back to the rest of the group. Whilst doing all of this you are observed by Driver Managers.
I agree with what I have read elsewhere on this forum, I think you need to get your points across, but not take over!
Good luck.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 Jun 2025 ==

How did the interview go?

Don't know yet, still waiting to hear.