Getting back in the seat

[chrisbaxter]

Its a long story but i was a train driver between 2002 and 2008 of course all qualifications are lapsed, I trying so hard to get back into the job,
Now i have applied as a trainee again with no success, looking for some advice on whether any toc will give me a second chance, I know people think i was silly to give the role up but i was having to look after two members of my family with cancer and also concentrate on driving a train,

 

[Bubba]

Cant answer your question but can wish you good luck. Must have been a torrid time looking after two members of your family suffering from that horrible disease.

 

[Pacerpilot]

There was a a guy on my Drivers' course who left to go travelling for a few years. He just had to complete the rules phase and sit the rules exam before going to his home depot for traction conversion and route learning.

 

[GadgetMan]

I know this doesn't help your situation, and I'm sure you're frame of mind would have been very different at the time to have thought this far ahead. Out of interest, would it have been possible to take extended unpaid leave on compassionate grounds?

I'm only asking because I know an (ex) driver who did the same as you, jacked the job in to spend time with his terminally ill wife. Within a few months of him giving the job up, the worst happened and he lost his wife. He's in the same position as you and can't get back onto the railway.

I'm thinking along the lines of; if you are still officially on the employers list, then you'd be retrained/given refreshers and allowed back on without having to reapply as a fresh starter. So the question is, would a TOC grant indeterminate unpaid leave on compassionate grounds?

 

[TDK]

Its a long story but i was a train driver between 2002 and 2008 of course all qualifications are lapsed, I trying so hard to get back into the job,
Now i have applied as a trainee again with no success, looking for some advice on whether any toc will give me a second chance, I know people think i was silly to give the role up but i was having to look after two members of my family with cancer and also concentrate on driving a train,

As answered on your other post, driver competence will last for 5 years, by this I mean you will not need a full rules course just a training need analysis and you will also not need the manditory 225 hours - go in as a qualified you will have a much better chance. This is fact as I have employed one driver who was 0out for 4 years and another worked with me who had been out for 3, they both got a job over a trainee.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I know this doesn't help your situation, and I'm sure you're frame of mind would have been very different at the time to have thought this far ahead. Out of interest, would it have been possible to take extended unpaid leave on compassionate grounds?

I'm only asking because I know an (ex) driver who did the same as you, jacked the job in to spend time with his terminally ill wife. Within a few months of him giving the job up, the worst happened and he lost his wife. He's in the same position as you and can't get back onto the railway.

I'm thinking along the lines of; if you are still officially on the employers list, then you'd be retrained/given refreshers and allowed back on without having to reapply as a fresh starter. So the question is, would a TOC grant indeterminate unpaid leave on compassionate grounds?

I am sure they would and also the unions would help, this all depends on the duration, they could certainly give you 5 years.

 

[chrisbaxter]

As answered on your other post, driver competence will last for 5 years, by this I mean you will not need a full rules course just a training need analysis and you will also not need the manditory 225 hours - go in as a qualified you will have a much better chance. This is fact as I have employed one driver who was 0out for 4 years and another worked with me who had been out for 3, they both got a job over a trainee.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


I am sure they would and also the unions would help, this all depends on the duration, they could certainly give you 5 years.

many thanks for that i am flexible what part of the country i work and have seen a few posts for qualified drivers it wont hurt to try.

 

[headshot119]

ATW are taking on "Qualified drivers" in Cardiff at the moment I believe.