Relocating

[Economist]

Hi I'm fairly new here and would be interested in becoming a train driver in the near future.

I'm fairly young (early twenties) so I am able to relocate, didn't do a degree so have minimal debt. Using the search function I have able to find that, understandably given their investment, Train Operating Companies don't provide a relocation package for trainee drivers.

What I haven't really been able to find is if they allow people to relocate at all to becoming a trainee driver (I read in the recent Northern thread that one of their depots wasn't to keen on the idea since some people they took on had apparently promised to move but didn't and had to be let go). I should add that I have relocated in the past to take work so it is something that hopefully my any future employer would take into consideration.

I understand the answer the likely vary by company but I was wondering if there was a general consensus. Is it reasonable to say "Yes" to the initial 60 minute radius question at the start of an application then state in your application that you would relocate to meet these requirements?

Thanks in advance for any advice on this one.

 

[TDK]

Hi I'm fairly new here and would be interested in becoming a train driver in the near future.

I'm fairly young (early twenties) so I am able to relocate, didn't do a degree so have minimal debt. Using the search function I have able to find that, understandably given their investment, Train Operating Companies don't provide a relocation package for trainee drivers.

What I haven't really been able to find is if they allow people to relocate at all to becoming a trainee driver (I read in the recent Northern thread that one of their depots wasn't to keen on the idea since some people they took on had apparently promised to move but didn't and had to be let go). I should add that I have relocated in the past to take work so it is something that hopefully my any future employer would take into consideration.

I understand the answer the likely vary by company but I was wondering if there was a general consensus. Is it reasonable to say "Yes" to the initial 60 minute radius question at the start of an application then state in your application that you would relocate to meet these requirements?

Thanks in advance for any advice on this one.

Very important this is - if you have evidence that you have relocated in the past for work it is essential that you provide this at interview, in many cases you will not pass the sift unless you live within 45 minutes of your chosen depot so ensure you add to you application that you will relocate and preferably walking distance from your chosen depot and this hopefully will be enough. You cannot say yes as your postal address will be outside the 45 minute radius

 

[W230]

I understand the answer the likely vary by company but I was wondering if there was a general consensus. Is it reasonable to say "Yes" to the initial 60 minute radius question at the start of an application then state in your application that you would relocate to meet these requirements?

I relocated once successful but also sort of cheated a bit by using a family member's address on my application which was well within the required commute time. Well, maybe not cheated as such, just tried to use some common sense. I remember it coming up on the managers interview when my work address referenced the north and I was sat applying for a London commuter TOC - they wryly asked if I currently commuted from London every day to my old day job in oop norf!

But I think some of the problem may come from people saying they'll relocate and then not doing so, or just disappearing off to another TOC straight off when qualified. I think the problem may come where there are so many applicants for so few jobs that the TOC simply don't need to consider people from some distance away. That's not to say they won't, just saying that they probably wouldn't need to - if that makes sense!

 

[Economist]

Thank you for your replies thus far, I'll definitely take your advice when throughout the application process.

I have got evidence of my relocation which I will look to provide at interviews or before (maybe initial application if allowed).


I read this evening on another thread that it could be useful to research rental prices in the area that trainees could be relocating to and to take this research to an interview.

It is a shame that some have chosen not to relocate after being given the job, I can understand severe personal reasons but that's about it.

 

[DistrictDriver]

Thank you for your replies thus far, I'll definitely take your advice when throughout the application process.

I have got evidence of my relocation which I will look to provide at interviews or before (maybe initial application if allowed).


I read this evening on another thread that it could be useful to research rental prices in the area that trainees could be relocating to and to take this research to an interview.

It is a shame that some have chosen not to relocate after being given the job, I can understand severe personal reasons but that's about it.

Several years ago I passed all psychometrics etc for Scotrail only to fail at the manager interview due to the fact I couldn't show him proof I'd been actively looking at accommodation in the area.

 

[TDK]

Several years ago I passed all psychometrics etc for Scotrail only to fail at the manager interview due to the fact I couldn't show him proof I'd been actively looking at accommodation in the area.

As I posted in another thread it is essential these days especially that you take any evidence with you if you are further than 45 minutes from a depot!

 

[TheEdge]

See this is totally opposite to the situation I faced, admittedly for guard rather than driver.

I applied (and got) a guard job with GA which when I went through sifting, assessment and interview I was living over 4 hours from the depot I'd selected, in fact I needed a hotel for both the assessment and interview! On the initial form I simply ticked not within distance and then ticked willing to relocate.

The only time it ever came up in the entire process was during my interview where I was asked if I was willing to relocate. Obviously I said yes. None of this bring evidence or anything.

And FWIW to the OP I'm currently 22 and saddled with university debt and did it.

 

[Silv1983]

Relocation packages will never be prevalent in this industry due to the interest vacancies attract. Your best bet is to move to a big city - such as London, Birmingham or Manchester for example - as several tocs will have depots in the catchment areas.

Student loan debt is irrelevant in almost any industry as it's income based. Never heard of any TOC taking any interest in debt for driver grade jobs (except conductor role maybe?).

 

[Cab2Cab]

See this is totally opposite to the situation I faced, admittedly for guard rather than driver.

I applied (and got) a guard job with GA which when I went through sifting, assessment and interview I was living over 4 hours from the depot I'd selected, in fact I needed a hotel for both the assessment and interview! On the initial form I simply ticked not within distance and then ticked willing to relocate.

The only time it ever came up in the entire process was during my interview where I was asked if I was willing to relocate. Obviously I said yes. None of this bring evidence or anything.

And FWIW to the OP I'm currently 22 and saddled with university debt and did it.

Hi,

I just think that TDK was trying to point out it helps at the interview stage and shows your serious and gives you a massive advantage whatever your dream job maybe- driver, guard, Tm etc.

In previous threads on here, people have not relocated for there new jobs, If they were successful then only they might look at relocating only too get a shock of how much property prices vary across the country.

The company has a duty of care.

You were very lucky but i'm glad you got the job you wanted.

Cheers

 

[bob hope]

Relocation packages will never be prevalent in this industry due to the interest vacancies attract. Your best bet is to move to a big city - such as London, Birmingham or Manchester for example - as several tocs will have depots in the catchment areas.

Student loan debt is irrelevant in almost any industry as it's income based. Never heard of any TOC taking any interest in debt for driver grade jobs (except conductor role maybe?).

Beg to differ slightly with this Silv - I wouldn't recommend moving to Birmingham in the hope of landing a trainee driver job. The only ones I've noticed advertised locally since 2011 are the recent DBS ones.

LM - seem to promote from within or take on qualifieds.
Chiltern - qualifieds only
Virgin - dream on
EMT - seem to promote from within or take on qualifieds


London and Manchester worth a shot though.

 

[W230]

See this is totally opposite to the situation I faced, admittedly for guard rather than driver.

I applied (and got) a guard job with GA which when I went through sifting, assessment and interview I was living over 4 hours from the depot I'd selected, in fact I needed a hotel for both the assessment and interview! On the initial form I simply ticked not within distance and then ticked willing to relocate.

I think maybe this is a difference between driver jobs and other rail roles. Several years ago (maybe 2009) I applied for a shunter/driver job with FGW when living miles away and it didn't seem to be an issue - it was never mentioned at my interview anyway, though admittedly once passing the interview, I never followed the next part of the process up as at that time I decided I couldn't relocate.

Sort of says it all really...