newbie

[Nick Cowling]

hi guys, so i have always been interest in railways ever since i was a kid, i'm now 35 and would like to try and find companies that will train, so i keep looking on the rail operators websites for trainee positions, guessing they don't come up often? what preparation should i do?, could i take a dummy rail psychometric test or a real one at Doncaster?

 

[ninhog]

There’s tons of help and advice on these forums; start by looking at https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/becoming-a-train-driver.17674/

 

[Coach Carter]

hi guys, so i have always been interest in railways ever since i was a kid, i'm now 35 and would like to try and find companies that will train, so i keep looking on the rail operators websites for trainee positions, guessing they don't come up often? what preparation should i do?, could i take a dummy rail psychometric test or a real one at Doncaster?

Make sure your C.V is put together top notch and when a position comes up drop everything your doing (if you can) and get your application done as they may close applications in as little as 24 hours.
Put hours into doing your application it will make the difference.
Best of luck bud.

 

[ninhog]

Personally, I think people massively over-think their applications. From my own experience and from observing others on this forum, the best thing to do is just go for it, using any practice material sent to you. You don’t need to practice, practice, practice, buy books or pay for DVDs.
You’ll either make it through the application process and qualify as a driver or you won’t; I genuinely believe that some people can do it and some people can’t.
Over-thinking or planning can be detrimental. Approach the whole process with a relaxed mindset and just go for it.

 

[C J Snarzell]

Hi mate and welcome to the forum.

I don't know what part of the country you are from but find out who your local Train Operating Companies (TOC) are and regularly check their careers board every couple of days. Just be mindful that trainee driver roles are attracting a ridiculous amount of applications. Northern took a trainee driver vacancy off their careers board in less than 24 hours recently. Again like I said just keep your eyes peeled for new roles cropping up.

Patience is also the key as I have applied for numerous non driving roles and not even got through the paper sift. Again other railway jobs are attracting lots of intetest so be prepared to get knock back a few times during the application process. Just keep an open mind - go for any trainee driver roles that come up but also consider other jobs available such as a platform host or customer service assistant which may be a good stepping stone to become a driver in the future.

All the best and good luck.

C J

 

[Ken H]

Hi mate and welcome to the forum.

I don't know what part of the country you are from but find out who your local Train Operating Companies (TOC) are and regularly check their careers board every couple of days. Just be mindful that trainee driver roles are attracting a ridiculous amount of applications. Northern took a trainee driver vacancy off their careers board in less than 24 hours recently. Again like I said just keep your eyes peeled for new roles cropping up.

Patience is also the key as I have applied for numerous non driving roles and not even got through the paper sift. Again other railway jobs are attracting lots of intetest so be prepared to get knock back a few times during the application process. Just keep an open mind - go for any trainee driver roles that come up but also consider other jobs available such as a platform host or customer service assistant which may be a good stepping stone to become a driver in the future.

All the best and good luck.

C J

is that actually true - that you can transfer from non-driving jobs into driving? Do you have a better chance getting a driving job is you are already a railwayman, or does it make not a jot of difference?

 

[Joliver]

is that actually true - that you can transfer from non-driving jobs into driving? Do you have a better chance getting a driving job is you are already a railwayman, or does it make not a jot of difference?

Can't speak for every company, but at the TOC I work for, it doesn't make a blind bit of difference. Have to apply like anybody else.

 

[Nick Cowling]

thanks guys all very helpful advice and tips,one i noticed recently was one for db, it said must have proof of A- C qualifications, trouble is i have been left school since 1999 and no longer have access to the files, but i have been working for wincanton logistics for 18 years, driving MHE and now i work in a transport office, don't know if that will help me on the application form?

 

[Stigy]

is that actually true - that you can transfer from non-driving jobs into driving? Do you have a better chance getting a driving job is you are already a railwayman, or does it make not a jot of difference?

In my experience it does help to already be in the railway (because you will naturally pick up some good transferable skills to use as examples when applying to be a driver), however you still have to apply like everybody else and pass the same psychometric assessments etc.

Not necessarily the same at all TOCs, but my previous TOC would let you apply and even assess and interview you for trainee driver jobs that weren’t necessarily available and would put you on a course when one became available. There’s still a paper sift, but I do think it’s easier if you already work for the company in that respect.