Pilot to Trainee Train Driver

[jamess115]

Hi

Having researched train companies in the UK of which there appear to be many, would anyone happen to know traditionally which one(s) advertise for the trainee postions most regularly?

Recent research seems to suggest (like with many industries) most train companies prefer to recruit internally. Obviously coming from a different sector and with huge competetion for every job, this puts me at a distinct disadvantage unless I apply for a role within a certain company. My preference, irrespective of location, would be to obtain a job as a conductor for example with any company who advertise the most trainee opportunities for drivers?

Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks folks

 

[atw-1]

Depends where you are in the country, Northern tend to recruit regularly, as the name says jobs in the North.

I would of thought your skills will be desirable, a huge advantage would be to do your psychometric privately. Turn up to am interview with this and you have an ace card.

If you find you fail a few interviews for Driving Jobs then consider other roles for railway experience. Conductor, Depot Driver, Station Staff....

 

[jamess115]

Thanks for your reply. I have previously completed Psychometrics as a requirement for flying with an Airline.. not sure what you mean about obtaining it privately?

From what I understand, the interview stage is far down the recruitment chain anyway so what I really need is advice on ways that I can impress the Recruitment Team with skills I have gained outside of the industry which may be transferrable or in reality - how difficult it is to obtain a conductors job in the hope of getting noticed for a trainee driver position

Cheers

 

[Lincoln_biker]

The best thing to do is locate all the F/TOC's that operate within an hour of where you live (unless youre prepared to move most companies want you within an hours commute), then work out which ones have driver / guard depots. A good hour of Google-ing can provide you with everything you need to know.

Then look or ask on here as to which of the companies take on trainee drivers / guards and await the recruitment drive to put in an application form. It's what I did and I start my driver training in a week. Just be patient because the opportunities are fairly rare if you want to stay put (as I did).

If you search on here for 'CBI' or 'Structured Interview' you'll find the sorts of questions you'll likely come up against and you can match your skills base accordingly.

And don't feel as though being 'off the street' puts you at a disadvantage. Thats what aptitude tests are for

 

[Vicpaul]

Drop me a personal message with any questions and ill do my best to point you in the direction

 

[welshjpc]

If you can pass the tests and the interviews you will get the job. Simples. Doesn't matter if you are / were a pilot or a bin man.

 

[SPADTrap]

Thanks for your reply. I have previously completed Psychometrics as a requirement for flying with an Airline.. not sure what you mean about obtaining it privately?

From what I understand, the interview stage is far down the recruitment chain anyway so what I really need is advice on ways that I can impress the Recruitment Team with skills I have gained outside of the industry which may be transferrable or in reality - how difficult it is to obtain a conductors job in the hope of getting noticed for a trainee driver position

Cheers

I'm going through the process now from being an airline pilot, I have found it to be an advantage and they were genuinly interested in my experience, although I did have to find myself explaining why what a pilot would want to become a train driver (stereotypes of living in huge country houses etc! :P ) but on the whole, it didn't really matter.

 

[atw-1]

The psychometric will be different, a train driver specific one....
There are companies that will let you do this privately, if you get that and can use your experiences in the application and interview process such as working to rules adhering to drug and alcohol policies, preparing for duty and being safety concious you should automatically stand out.... Non Trchnical skills which you should already be aware of are a big thing on the railway and will only get bigger, include these 'keywords' in your application.

The other advice, re:google TOCs/FOC's is your best bet! I know northern will be recruiting soon in MCR and Liverpool, DB Schenker are recruiting down south and in the midlands currently and southern also seems to regularly recruit.

If you want to be a driver go for a drivers role, if your unsuccessful a few times then go for a conductor to add railway experience to your CV....

 

[jamess115]

I have read all of your responses & I will follow the advice. To each of you thank you for taking the time

 

[red2005]

You'd be surprised actually!!a lot of companies prefer to recruit externally!!....especially for the driver grade!!if I applied with my own toc and was successful not only would they have to train me as a driver but they'd all so have to replace me within my grade, so in effect they are paying for 2 sets of training!!unfortunately money talks!

 

[Beveridges]

Northern prefer to take on Internal but will take on external if there is not enough interest. They recruit in large numbers so there are regular vacancies.

 

[Downtheline]

Thanks for your reply. I have previously completed Psychometrics as a requirement for flying with an Airline.. not sure what you mean about obtaining it privately?

From what I understand, the interview stage is far down the recruitment chain anyway so what I really need is advice on ways that I can impress the Recruitment Team with skills I have gained outside of the industry which may be transferrable or in reality - how difficult it is to obtain a conductors job in the hope of getting noticed for a trainee driver position

Cheers

Hi.

I'm a private pilots licence pilot, I found the flying experience/attitude requirements gave me plenty of ammunition for the interviews.

Many vacancies I believe are advertised internally first, I worked in a ticket office for about 18 months prior to applying for trainee driver, watched the internal vacancies and applied. It is said, but I'm not certain, that internal candidates get some advantage in progressing through the assessments system quickly, assuming they reach standards of course !

Good luck.

 

[jamess115]

Hi.

I'm a private pilots licence pilot, I found the flying experience/attitude requirements gave me plenty of ammunition for the interviews.

Many vacancies I believe are advertised internally first, I worked in a ticket office for about 18 months prior to applying for trainee driver, watched the internal vacancies and applied. It is said, but I'm not certain, that internal candidates get some advantage in progressing through the assessments system quickly, assuming they reach standards of course !

Good luck.

Thanks for your post. It gives me emotional security to consider that being a Pilot could possibly give an edge but more enlightening were your words about working in a Ticket Office and watching the job boards for opportunities. Unless i'm advised otherwise, I believe this is a good way forward.
I applied with First many months ago and their HR took an absolute eternity to respond with a 'no' but equally, I am expecting many more of those.

I love Aviation but there has to be something wrong in the current market when you talk about having to spend 50K on your basic licences, another 20K on a Type Rating and then another 30K for line training... hock:

 

[scotraildriver]

We have a couple of ex pilots at our depot. I was surprised that they found train driving to be quite a challenge after being a pilot due to the total reliance on drivers actions rather than having systems working with you. But they do well and enjoy the job.

 

[jamess115]

We have a couple of ex pilots at our depot. I was surprised that they found train driving to be quite a challenge after being a pilot due to the total reliance on drivers actions rather than having systems working with you. But they do well and enjoy the job.

Yes. The training to become a Pilot is intense but once you are there, the companies like the Autopilot to control the aircraft as early as poss into the flight as it is all about fuel burn and getting from a-b as efficiently as you can. If train driving is more hands on, then i'm sure it is tougher.

 

[Pompy]

Airline and private pilots are quite different. Piloting a small plane is much more hands on and more in line with the training for a train driver. You are in constant control and looking out , checking instruments and in general have to keep to rules, regulations and follow emergency procedures. I'm ex military , HGV trained and a pilot but its no use at the initial stage of application as many forms don't ask for a listing of these qualifications but just what you achieved at school twenty odd years ago.