Northern - 'Manchester' vacancies

[JDAWC]

I’ve often noticed that when Northern hire for conductors and drivers at Piccadilly and Victoria they tend to just put ‘Manchester’ on the job role. This obviously doesn’t specify if it’s one of the depots or both. Would anyone happen to know if it’s both how the selection of people allocated to each depot works? Would they tend to match people who live closer to Victoria to that depot for example. Also, let’s say you were allocated to Victoria but when on your induction/intial classroom training you found out another trainee wanted to based at Victoria and you wanted to be based at Piccadilly, could a swap take place as you haven’t begun route/traction training?

 

[Horizon22]

Internally they probably do know where the gaps are for each depot. I would just suggest that it is done for ease and interchangability for "Manchester" considering it is a 1km and/or a 10-minute tram ride between the two.

 

[nolypops83]

I’ve often noticed that when Northern hire for conductors and drivers at Piccadilly and Victoria they tend to just put ‘Manchester’ on the job role. This obviously doesn’t specify if it’s one of the depots or both. Would anyone happen to know if it’s both how the selection of people allocated to each depot works? Would they tend to match people who live closer to Victoria to that depot for example. Also, let’s say you were allocated to Victoria but when on your induction/intial classroom training you found out another trainee wanted to based at Victoria and you wanted to be based at Piccadilly, could a swap take place as you haven’t begun route/traction training?

Its definitely both. I seem to remember them asking my preference during the interview, but I'm not sure how that would have played out as I failed the tests. To be honest I wouldn't be bothered, if they offered my a driver role at either I'd bite their hands off! I think most people would.

 

[JDAWC]

Its definitely both. I seem to remember them asking my preference during the interview, but I'm not sure how that would have played out as I failed the tests. To be honest I wouldn't be bothered, if they offered my a driver role at either I'd bite their hands off! I think most people would.

Thanks. Unlucky with failing the tests, have you got any attempts left? Thats good that they asked your preference. As you said who knows how that may play out! I’d like to imagine they can cater to people’s preference where possible. My speculative guess would be that conductors being internally promoted to driver at their depot providing they want to stay there probably get ‘first dibs’ and then they fill it from their will the other applicants.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 4 Mar 2025 ==

Internally they probably do know where the gaps are for each depot. I would just suggest that it is done for ease and interchangability for "Manchester" considering it is a 1km and/or a 10-minute tram ride between the two.

Yes that makes sense. I’m moving house in a month or so and it’s 12 minutes from Piccadilly and 16 minutes from Victoria, so well with 45 minutes for both!

 

[nolypops83]

Thanks. Unlucky with failing the tests, have you got any attempts left? Thats good that they asked your preference. As you said who knows how that may play out! I’d like to imagine they can cater to people’s preference where possible. My speculative guess would be that conductors being internally promoted to driver at their depot providing they want to stay there probably get ‘first dibs’ and then they fill it from their will the other applicants.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 4 Mar 2025 ==


Yes that makes sense. I’m moving house in a month or so and it’s 12 minutes from Piccadilly and 16 minutes from Victoria, so well with 45 minutes for both!

Yep, still got one attempt left but getting through the initial application sift is proving to be a challenge. I got through on my first go in 2023, and naively thought it would be that easy again. I've finally made it through on my 4th go, but waiting for a date for the DMI interview and new assessment day (not psychometrics) that they've added to the process. I wanted to buy a house this year but I'm holding off as I wouldn't be able to take a pay cut for the trainee salary and pay a mortgage at the same time. It's difficult to know what to do at the moment, I'll scared to even book a holiday! Tempted to take the psychometrics privately, just to get them out of the way. At least if I fail I can move on with my life!

No sure about conductors, maybe someone will be able to confirm if they get priority.

 

[JDAWC]

Yep, still got one attempt left but getting through the initial application sift is proving to be a challenge. I got through on my first go in 2023, and naively thought it would be that easy again. I've finally made it through on my 4th go, but waiting for a date for the DMI interview and new assessment day (not psychometrics) that they've added to the process. I wanted to buy a house this year but I'm holding off as I wouldn't be able to take a pay cut for the trainee salary and pay a mortgage at the same time. It's difficult to know what to do at the moment, I'll scared to even book a holiday! Tempted to take the psychometrics privately, just to get them out of the way. At least if I fail I can move on with my life!

No sure about conductors, maybe someone will be able to confirm if they get priority.

Congrats on getting through again though mate persistence pays off I guess! I know it’s easier said than done as I’ve never been in your shoes but just try and take you mind off it all when you can, of course still do revision for the psychometrics frequently in small chunks. I’ve witnessed with other people who just crumble on the day as they’ve essentially psyched themselves up that their life and future is dependant on it.