SWT Fratton

[francisoldfield]

Has anyone ever seen a train crew vacancy for this depot??

 

[navydavy1968]

No I never have mate, although I heard there are lots of drivers there (over 100) surprising really.

 

[francisoldfield]

thats what i was thinking... by now you would have a single vacancy would come up. i have been looking for about 5 years so far...

 

[455driver]

There are lots of drivers (and guards) wanting to transfer to Fratton, so they take priority. There have been a few promotions from guard to driver lately but not to the same amount as other depots.

 

[Matt Taylor]

SWT recently invited application for driver positions on the internal vacancy list, I think that your best bet would be to consider a guards postion or perhaps a driving position nearer London.

 

[francisoldfield]

tried. no conductor positions at fratton and they wont let you apply for a job in driving that is more than half hour away!

 

[anonymous0101]

SWT recently invited application for driver positions on the internal vacancy list, I think that your best bet would be to consider a guards postion or perhaps a driving position nearer London.

Which job is better? A Senior guard/conductors job at somewhere like Virgin, East Coast or maybe even on the High Speed 1 or an inner suburban driving job in London?

 

[455driver]

If it all goes base over apex on suburban routes you will normally be within an hour of your home depot, on EC or WC you potentially will be slightly further away.

Give me suburban any day.

 

[E&W Lucas]

Which job is better? A Senior guard/conductors job at somewhere like Virgin, East Coast or maybe even on the High Speed 1 or an inner suburban driving job in London?

Depends what you want out of a job. If you like working with the general public, go for the guard role.

Driving is a more intense occupation, more procedures to follow, more decisions to take, etc. You have to be comfortable working alone for long periods too. Many people that make excellent guards, don't fancy that.

As for inter city driving, I find the work itself less arduous than suburban driving, there's less chance of messing up (far fewer restrictive aspects, etc), more comfortable work environment and more variety, with shunting and contingency loco work, as well as running turns. It's all a matter of personal taste.

 

[anonymous0101]

Depends what you want out of a job. If you like working with the general public, go for the guard role.

Driving is a more intense occupation, more procedures to follow, more decisions to take, etc. You have to be comfortable working alone for long periods too. Many people that make excellent guards, don't fancy that.

As for inter city driving, I find the work itself less arduous than suburban driving, there's less chance of messing up (far fewer restrictive aspects, etc), more comfortable work environment and more variety, with shunting and contingency loco work, as well as running turns. It's all a matter of personal taste.

Yes inter city driving sounds great. Would love to do that in time.

 

[Matt Taylor]

Apologies for dragging this thread up but SWT is currently advertising for trainee drivers at Fratton, also Staines and Strawberry on the list. Apply via the SWT website, closing date 24/11/10.

 

[Redahead]

Could any SWT drivers give an indication of the work content of Waterloo and of Strawberry Hill? How are the links structured? Is it all intensive suburban, or do you get longer distances in the mix as well?

Thanks in advance

R

 

[metromuppet]

Is the driver process for SWT the same as most other TOCs or do they require a special part like a few of the other TOC's out there?

 

[francisoldfield]

Could any SWT drivers give an indication of the work content of Waterloo and of Strawberry Hill? How are the links structured? Is it all intensive suburban, or do you get longer distances in the mix as well?

Thanks in advance

R

I would like to ask the same question regarding Fratton to be honest...

as far as the process, I'm not entirely sure but I do know that if I'm successful with SWT they will carry my test pass with FCC over but they didn't say whether any other tests would be required to be taken!

 

[455/8]

I would like to ask the same question regarding Fratton to be honest...

as far as the process, I'm not entirely sure but I do know that if I'm successful with SWT they will carry my test pass with FCC over but they didn't say whether any other tests would be required to be taken!

If you have passed the assessment tests with another TOC (recation, cordination, etc) then you will only have to take the Interviews, however if you have taken the tests with another TOC and failed then you will have to retake all the tests and you will only have one chance to pass.

hope that answers your question,

Alan

 

[francisoldfield]

Yeh that does thanks. Wanted to make sure that there were no tests that SWT does that FCC doesnt.

I don't suppose you know the timescale for these jobs. I had seen these vacancies advertised on recruitment agency websites and one said. Assessment day one early Dec and day two late Dec with interviews taking place in Jan 2011?

francis

 

[455/8]

I can't say for sure but I would say if your wanting Fratton depot then you'd be on the training course starting around March/April, I know that Fratton depot is down a lot of drivers as is waterloo and Wimbledon Park from what I'm told and is SWT needs drivers then they will get the ball rolling very quickly when i first took mine 2 years ago i put the application form in and within 2 weeks i had the assessment test passed them then a week later i had the interviews which unfortunatly for me i failed so when they want to things will move like lightning, if your wanting Strawberry Hill and Staines depots I'm not to sure on their entitlement as I don't meet many driver from those depots so I can't say but if SWT are advertsing externally then there's a chance they're in need of a few drivers as internal applicants get priority,

I also know that there are supposed to be 3 courses next year the first course I'm told is for Waterloo, Wimbledon Park, Strawberry Hill and Fratton which is supposed to start Jan/Feb time, the second course is supposed to start March/April time and I'm not sure yet as to what depots are on it but I think from reading the website its going to be Waterloo, Wimbledon Park, Fratton, Strawberry Hill & Staines, the third course is supposed to start May/June and again not sure on depots as yet because is a bit early to say, each course normally has a maximum of 12 trainee's, so looking at about 36 drivers in total but I can't say how many drivers pre depot just going by what i hear around and from my communitcations with SWT recruitment.

 

[francisoldfield]

ah thanks very much! hopefully that is the timescale that SWT uses

 

[paulravuslante]

Hi Alan,

Would you be able to mention what benefits employees of SWT are entitled to? There is not much mentioned on the website. Feel free to private message me if you'd rather not post the benefits on this board. Many thanks.

Paul.

 

[francisoldfield]

for anyone thinking of applying for any off the SWT positions, the closing date has moved from being tomorrow to 12/12/2010...

good luck!

 

[Matt Taylor]

Strawberry Hill routes are concentrated on Kingston and Hounslow loops plus Shepperton, there are also a few trips to Windsor, Weybridge, Hampton Ct, Chessington Sth, Guildford (new line) and Woking bay. Fratton is Waterloo via Guildford, Waterloo via Eastleigh, Southampton plus there may also be afew others. I don't know the routes from Waterloo depot unfortunately.

SWT staff get unlimited free travel on SWT, Island Line and EMT, plus the standard 75% Priv discount on other operators.

 

[Redahead]

Thank you - that's much appreciated

R