Trainee Driver vacancies DBS

[Legzr1]

My only gripe with DBS was the way massive redundancies were carried out on such a large scale with relatively little notice.
That's the reason I no longer work for them.

With that aside, compared to other FOC's they aren't too bad - compared to the 'real world' it's a dream job.

Once you're fully trained with traction and routes the ability for flexibility is endless providing you get a good roster clerk - most can be accommodating when you're spare turn and mutual swaps are allowed and are relatively straight forward - if you like starting at 20:00 you'll be inundated with offers from other drivers who will gladly take you're 0845 shift from you!

Ad hoc short notice leave is another matter - it was tightened down some time ago and each depot has a max. Number of men off at any one time - during summer it can be a nightmare getting a single day off with so many men on a/l but you can book in - first come, first served.

I'm a little bitter about DBS but the truth is there is far worse out there - £47K + OTE for a 35 hour week with more time off than a teacher isn't to be sniffed at. In two years time that will be £50K +.

Probably explains the influx of applications every time a vacancy is announced.

 

[garageflower]

Applied this morning and have just recieved email from the recruitment team confirming safe receipt!

 

[ExTankieAaron]

My only gripe with DBS was the way massive redundancies were carried out on such a large scale with relatively little notice.
That's the reason I no longer work for them.

With that aside, compared to other FOC's they aren't too bad - compared to the 'real world' it's a dream job.

Once you're fully trained with traction and routes the ability for flexibility is endless providing you get a good roster clerk - most can be accommodating when you're spare turn and mutual swaps are allowed and are relatively straight forward - if you like starting at 20:00 you'll be inundated with offers from other drivers who will gladly take you're 0845 shift from you!

Ad hoc short notice leave is another matter - it was tightened down some time ago and each depot has a max. Number of men off at any one time - during summer it can be a nightmare getting a single day off with so many men on a/l but you can book in - first come, first served.

I'm a little bitter about DBS but the truth is there is far worse out there - £47K + OTE for a 35 hour week with more time off than a teacher isn't to be sniffed at. In two years time that will be £50K +.

Probably explains the influx of applications every time a vacancy is announced.

Sorry bud but im new to the railways so i'm unsure of the terminology, so FOCs are other company's right?
Also when you said about times like i mentioned id love to do mainly nights their be other drivers who would rather do days and give me those hours to do? I hope i read that right, so why is that, just because of it being night runs or something else behind it??
Sorry to hear you was made redundant i know the feeling thanks to the MoD.

Aaron.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
oh and what's the difference between a driver and an operator?

Aaron.

 

[Rave]

Applied this morning and have just recieved email from the recruitment team confirming safe receipt!

I've not had an email confirming safe receipt .

 

[garageflower]

I've not had an email confirming safe receipt .

sent mine as PDF, almost sent as word 2003-2007 but then read it and thought is there a format word 2003 or 2007? haha! so confusing now with the .doc .docx .xml etc etc it maybe that you sent in wrong format?

 

[Rave]

I sent it as both .pdf and .docx . Put position applied for in the subject line and my address in the text as requested, and asked them to get back to me if I'd mucked anything up. It's just the 3 page form they want right? Seems a bit odd not to ask for a CV or a supporting statement...

 

[garageflower]

I sent it as both .pdf and .docx . Put position applied for in the subject line and my address in the text as requested, and asked them to get back to me if I'd mucked anything up. It's just the 3 page form they want right? Seems a bit odd not to ask for a CV or a supporting statement...

Yeah just sent off the downloaded form no CV or cover letter or anything as didn't want to vary from the instructions given. Think there is that many apply for these posts they want any excuse to void an application right away! Kept it really brief as well on my current responsibilites and duties. Wrote out almost a page first off then thought better of it, but now thinking... should I have left the detail in :roll:

 

[SkinnyDave]

Sorry bud but im new to the railways so i'm unsure of the terminology, so FOCs are other company's right?
Also when you said about times like i mentioned id love to do mainly nights their be other drivers who would rather do days and give me those hours to do? I hope i read that right, so why is that, just because of it being night runs or something else behind it??
Sorry to hear you was made redundant i know the feeling thanks to the MoD.

Aaron.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
oh and what's the difference between a driver and an operator?

Aaron.

FOC = Freight Operating Company
Operator does shunting duties, fuelling, prep but no mainline I don't think

 

[#1 driver]

Legzr1 is it you who is a driver for DB Schenker Rail?

no , that's me .

Sorry bud but im new to the railways so i'm unsure of the terminology, so FOCs are other company's right?

Freight Operating Company

Also when you said about times like i mentioned id love to do mainly nights their be other drivers who would rather do days and give me those hours to do? I hope i read that right, so why is that, just because of it being night runs or something else behind it??
Sorry to hear you was made redundant

most drivers don't like nights because they wanna be in bed then .
I hope you don't talk like that in an interview !

 

[Legzr1]

Sorry bud but im new to the railways so i'm unsure of the terminology, so FOCs are other company's right?
Also when you said about times like i mentioned id love to do mainly nights their be other drivers who would rather do days and give me those hours to do? I hope i read that right, so why is that, just because of it being night runs or something else behind it??
Sorry to hear you was made redundant i know the feeling thanks to the MoD.

Aaron.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
oh and what's the difference between a driver and an operator?

Aaron.

Most of that has already been covered.
FOC is freight, TOC is passenger.

The shifts on the railway (and freight in particular) cover the whole spectrum from 0330 sign on all the way to 2359 (with a few 0025's thrown in for good measure) - each individual is different - some drivers love 0300 starts as they've got the rest of the day to themselves (personally I think they're mad and need sectioning! ) while others like nightshift where they can get things done before going to work.
07,08 and 0900 starts are probably best for those not used to shifts and make for a happy work/life balance.

Shifts, turns and restday patterns vary greatly depot to depot - somewhere that deals only with intermodal is great - no Sundays, one Saturday in every seven and the rest mon-Friday all with a 35 hour week and spread over a nominal four day week - DBS closed that depot a year and a day after opening it - I think it was down to drivers at other depots moaning and whinging lol.

I've been away from DB for over a year and there's been a renegotiation of terms since I left but I think Depot Operators cover what's already been mentioned but at certain locations they DO drive on the main line to/from agreed locations.

For example, D.O's at Knottingley could cover the tripping into and out of Drax (not sure if any actually did!) - Tyne D.O's where allowed to take Royal Mail stock down to Low Fell - only a couple of miles, granted but still NR metals with drivers fixed signals.

#1 Driver will know what the situation is now I expect.

Beveridges will probably argue there's no difference...

 

[Firefighter349]

I am yet to receive a confirmation email also.
I am rather eager to resend my application although I am adamant I got it all right and followed every instruction to the letter, I just want to now try and send it as a PDF document but it's clearly states to send 1 application ONLY!
Such a predicament ...

 

[debadzuk79]

No acknowledgement here either and sent mine via email on Monday. Sent in 07 format and I know it has got there ok so will just wait out.

 

[SkinnyDave]

Most of that has already been covered.
FOC is freight, TOC is passenger.

The shifts on the railway (and freight in particular) cover the whole spectrum from 0330 sign on all the way to 2359 (with a few 0025's thrown in for good measure) - each individual is different - some drivers love 0300 starts as they've got the rest of the day to themselves (personally I think they're mad and need sectioning! ) while others like nightshift where they can get things done before going to work.
07,08 and 0900 starts are probably best for those not used to shifts and make for a happy work/life balance.

Shifts, turns and restday patterns vary greatly depot to depot - somewhere that deals only with intermodal is great - no Sundays, one Saturday in every seven and the rest mon-Friday all with a 35 hour week and spread over a nominal four day week - DBS closed that depot a year and a day after opening it - I think it was down to drivers at other depots moaning and whinging lol.

I've been away from DB for over a year and there's been a renegotiation of terms since I left but I think Depot Operators cover what's already been mentioned but at certain locations they DO drive on the main line to/from agreed locations.

For example, D.O's at Knottingley could cover the tripping into and out of Drax (not sure if any actually did!) - Tyne D.O's where allowed to take Royal Mail stock down to Low Fell - only a couple of miles, granted but still NR metals with drivers fixed signals.

#1 Driver will know what the situation is now I expect.

Beveridges will probably argue there's no difference...

Hi Mate,

What work do DBS have in Central Scotland?

 

[Legzr1]

Not a great deal is the honest answer!

Carlisle cover the Falkland and Hunterston coal since the closure of Ayr and Mossend is a shadow of its former self - Motherwell looks like a ghost town and Millerhill towards the East has been hammered over the years.

Not sure about NR infrastructure working but there's big competition for that work from the likes of Colas, FLHH and others.

 

[SkinnyDave]

Not a great deal is the honest answer!

Carlisle cover the Falkland and Hunterston coal since the closure of Ayr and Mossend is a shadow of its former self - Motherwell looks like a ghost town and Millerhill towards the East has been hammered over the years.

Not sure about NR infrastructure working but there's big competition for that work from the likes of Colas, FLHH and others.

Hmm if I were to return to Scotland I wouldn't mind having a look at freight as an option but it seems opportunities would be limited!

 

[Legzr1]

Hmm if I were to return to Scotland I wouldn't mind having a look at freight as an option but it seems opportunities would be limited!

I should have said it's not really my area and I could be wide of the mark - there's no doubt there's been a severe decline for DBS up there but I know FLHH and GBRf have picked up quite a bit of work recently - try their respective HR departments for confirmation.

I suppose it's either freight or Scotrail unless you can jump the queues and get into EC or XC on the East, Virgin on the west.

 

[ExTankieAaron]

no , that's me .



Freight Operating Company



most drivers don't like nights because they wanna be in bed then .
I hope you don't talk like that in an interview !

yeah sorry i was tapping away on my mobile so small with these bratwurst fingers! But thanks for all the information its best i know now all the inside details of the job... wish i did that with the Army haha so cheers legzr1 and #1 driver.

My application i sent off as a PDF, looked through the list of word docs to send it as and was like eerrr...... yep PDF it is.

Aaron.

 

[bigbear]

HI
Just a quick question re the online application, its only 3 pages??, is my computer missing some pages as surely there must be more than just 3 pages, can anyone confirm it please...thank you people....

 

[Rave]

As far as any of us know it's just the three pages!

 

[ExTankieAaron]

Yeah just 3 thats why i cant figure out how the info you put down can be sort through to narrow down the numbers! Its got to be with the instuctions possibly on how to send back the form in the email.

Aaron.

 

[garageflower]

Yeah just 3 thats why i cant figure out how the info you put down can be sort through to narrow down the numbers! Its got to be with the instuctions possibly on how to send back the form in the email.

Aaron.

Well it will go from your relevant experience I'd say - I'm a Civil Engineer so the only thing I have going for me is the safety side of things

 

[High Dyke]

heard of network rail kicking people of a worksite for having no/wrong company on their HV clothing . watch out .

Not sure about the wrong logo... So many contractors on these days it's difficult for some staff to identify the genuine firms. Having no logo on HV clothing is wrong IMO...anyone these days can go and purchase Railway approved HV clothing and wander trackside; including those involved in unscrupulous activity.

 

[Rooster]

Hi folks just a heads up, I recently passed my assesmessment and Mmi interview with db schenker for a previous vacancy but was unsuccessful , I've been put in the talent pool for 3 years and when anymore vacancies become available local to you you will get another interview .
Those successful will get a assessment date at Doncaster and a pack will also be included ,so you can practice similar tests.

 

[peamix]

Well, Ive just stepped out of my office and there is a bloody great DBS class 67 parked outside, not sure whether that's a good omen or what, I never did get the email receipt..

 

[ExTankieAaron]

im pretty sure its just because of the amount of people wanting this job, some HR can be bothered to send one some can't. Its better if they did though just so you know its got there okay.
I know they say not too but just give them a quick ring or email asking for receipt.

Aaron

 

[#1 driver]

Not sure about the wrong logo.

I've SEEN it happen .

So many contractors on these days it's difficult for some staff to identify the genuine firms.

ID .
PTS .

Having no logo on HV clothing is wrong IMO.

and WILL get you kicked out of a work site .

anyone these days can go and purchase Railway approved HV clothing and wander trackside; including those involved in unscrupulous activity.

maybe that's why NR are out doing checks ?

 

[Bluebri]

im pretty sure its just because of the amount of people wanting this job, some HR can be bothered to send one some can't. Its better if they did though just so you know its got there okay.
I know they say not too but just give them a quick ring or email asking for receipt.

Aaron

It's the inconsistency that is frustrating. If no acknowledgments were sent out and that was stated it would be fine. But to have some acknowledged and others not it is no surprise that both applicants and hr are frustrated due to a lack of consistency.

 

[ExTankieAaron]

do you think a email to DBS HR to find this forum just like FLHH HR have done so will help? They don't use facebook or twitter (that i know of) so might be worth a shot?

Aaron.

 

[debadzuk79]

do you think a email to DBS HR to find this forum just like FLHH HR have done so will help? They don't use facebook or twitter (that i know of) so might be worth a shot?

Aaron.

DBS don't reply to emails...or at least they haven't to any I've sent. Starting to think mine never got there as I sent it from a military computer. Oh well

 

[#1 driver]

seems like all these wannabe drivers aren't too patient .
maybe the railway ain't the job for you ?