Newbie looking for advice on becoming a driver.

[darby]

Hi everyone,

I've been having a good look around the forum, great site.

I'm currently serving in the Royal Navy as a marine engineering technician onboard nuclear submarines. I have completed an apprenticeship and been awarded a Foundation Degree in Marine Engineering.

Due to the huge lack of man-power in the submarine service, we typically spend about 8 months out of 12 'beneath the waves'. Hence, in March my twelve month's notice to leave will be submitted (I have a return of service to complete first).

When I leave the Navy in 2011 I would like a career as a train driver. Do you think that my time served in the Navy would be looked on favourably by the TOCs?

I understand that they like candidates to demonstrate an ability to work alone - not much chance of spending any time alone on a submarine! :roll:

Presumably they like to see evidence of working in a 'safety critical' role. I have experience in watch-keeping on and operating nuclear reactors, do you think this will help?

Sorry for the heap of questions, and thanks in advance for your help.

Darby.

 

[Kernowfem]

Cant comment on the driver thing, but my brother did six years on trafalga. When he left he joined the british transport police, he has never regretted it.
I still have two brothers who are serving in the navy who are also considering a change in career. The very best of luck with your application and future employment.
Vicky.

 

[73110]

I think you will be alright as there are quite a few ex-forces types on the railway.

You should have a look at the aptitude test, see how you get on with them. If you do well you will be ok.

 

[ungreat]

We do have quite a few ex forces drivers on our route. However,as 73110 says,it's the aptitude tests that throw most people out....you can only try mate!

 

[SWT Driver]

There are loads of ex-RN & Armed Forces personnel at Fratton & elsewhere on the SWT patch.

I'd imagine that as you're used to working in a disciplined manner, odd hours (day & night) you'll find railway life quite easy to adjust to.

You'll have to undertake psychometric testing, what this entails I haven't a clue, I never had to do it (driving too many years), it's tough though.

You need perfect colour vision & good hearing too.

I think that you'll be extremely lucky to find any trainee drivers positions or openings anywhere at the current time. As far as I know SWT aren't taking any more on for the foreseeable future.

 

[ungreat]

.

You'll have to undertake psychometric testing, what this entails I haven't a clue, I never had to do it (driving too many years), it's tough though.

.

Me neither! Oh happy days eh?

 

[darby]

Thanks for the advice everyone.

I think that you'll be extremely lucky to find any trainee drivers positions or openings anywhere at the current time. As far as I know SWT aren't taking any more on for the foreseeable future.

Do SWT ever recruit trainee drivers off the street? I won't actually be out of the navy until March 2011, so when my 12 month's notice goes in next March I'll probably send a speculative request and copy of my CV for their records/bin.

Thanks.

 

[SWT Driver]

They do, but you'll be lucky to be accepted most depots are over the top with their establishments at the moment, there maybe some retirements, departures due to illness, but because of the numbers of people in training that's being absorbed almost instantly.

Drivers are being trained on new routes before they get moved from one link to another that way there's no delay in them "taking on".

For example at my depot one driver is about to move from Link 2 to Link 1, he's already been given the time to learn Haslemere to Portsmouth Harbour, now whilst that may not look far and the route is quite simple from Haslemere to Rowlands Castle, you then have the complexities of PARs and all of the bi-di working at Havant with its very close signal spacing & then the joys of bi-di working from just outside Fratton-Portsmouth & Southsea & Harbour.

His vacancy will almost immediately be taken by one of the trainees who's just about to finish his Link 2 routes, there are no more trainees being taken on as there's no need to.

There's no reason why you can't apply, but don't be surprised if they say "We've got nothing available", but with this lot at SWT you never know what they're going to do or whether they'll even accept an application for what would be a 2011/12 entrant.

 

[darby]

OK, thanks.

I won't get my hopes up but I'll send a CV and see what they say.

 

[SWT Driver]

Well in case anyone wants it here's the necessary link:

http://www.southwesttrains.co.uk/jobs.aspx#39951

 

[ungreat]

If you are prepared to commute,FCC are always looking for trainees

 

[Mojo]

Southern/Gatwick Express are also recruiting for trainees, see their website.

 

[73110]

If you are prepared to commute,FCC are always looking for trainees

hehehe

(there is an fcc driver at Brighton who lives in Havant.)

 

[ungreat]

We have one based at KX who lives in York!