Trying to become a Train Driver (New to this Forum... Require some guidance)

[scottk]

Hello everyone,

Im new to this Forum, Basically I've registered as i'm looking into *trying* to become a Train Driver in hopefully the near future! I say hopefully as i'm already coming to terms with the fact its hard to get into due to all the competition of people wanting to do the same as me.

I've already received my Application pack after sending countless amounts of Emails to southeastern recruitment center asking for one to be sent out to me, In the end i emailed a managing director of the company saying i don't seem to be getting a response after sending a number of emails requesting an application pack, Then the very next day after sending this email to said Managing director i received an email back from the Recruitment center and my Application pack turned up the very next day

Anyway, I filled that out, with a completed CV and covering letter i took it over to Tonbridge-wells to hand it in personally to make sure it got there.

A few days later i received a confirmation letter just stating they had received my Application form ect, The letter basically drilled it home that its gonna be tough with Vacancies firstly being given to Currently qualified drivers transferring from other TOC's or Depots within the southeastern company, Then they get given to Internal applicants, Then get released to the external applicants such as myself.

Im basically after any guidance on what to do next to maybe increase my chances....?

Also, How long roughly am i going to be sitting back waiting for a possible interview, If anyone know's.

Thanks
Scott

 

[Vicpaul]

It could be a while before you go any further. my advice to you is to look out for trainee positions and go from there accept that you may have to do some travelling or even relocate to get onto the railways

 

[notadriver]

It's impossible to get into Kent mainline depots as a trainee. Even conductors jobs are rare. Would you be prepared to start as platform staff - which is a job that involves standing outside and picking up rubbish ?

 

[E&W Lucas]

Or better still, apply for trainee driver vacs that are likely to, or actually do, exist. Can you commute to London from your part of Kent?
If so, get your CV in to Southern, FCC, SWT, expressing an interest in London depots. All recruit external trainees with some frequency.

 

[Class2ldn]

I'm a bit confused as to why you emailed a director. Not being funny but what do people not understand about looking at the companies websites for vacancies. If there isn't any on the site then it's quite simple, they are not recruiting. As notadriver said you won't get in at a coastal depot so unless your prepared to travel to a London depot then you won't have much chance of getting a trainee job. Once you get in you can't move for 3 years so even if you got in now your looking at a good 4-5 years to get a depot down that way.oh and another thing, southeastern are crap, if I was you I'd look elsewhere.

 

[scottk]

First off..

Anyone is allowed to email in and request a application form for any job, Even if one is not vacant.

I emailed southeastern recruitment department a number of times and got no reply.. That is why i emailed a director, I thought by emailing someone higher up in the company they'd get through to the Recruitment department and relay the message and id FINALLY get a application form sent out in the post... And it worked,

That is why i emailed a director.

Secondly..

I could possibly commute to London for a job however currently im happy to hold out or even apply for another job in Southeastern just to get my foot in the door so to speak, I phoned up the organizer for job placements this afternoon actually and was told to expect to wait 8-9months before hearing anything about Trainee driver positions with Southeastern, I've applied to go to Depots in Ashford, Ramsgate, Faversham and Dover..

It's not that i need a job as to why im trying to get into Train driving, It's just something that's interested me for as long as i can remember.. Im happy to wait to see what comes of my application, I know it's going to take a while i cannot afford to move area.



One more thing i don't see why i should just sit around trolling TOC's websites waiting for job vacancies to appear on there website?.. By time a Job arises and i get my CV in the job will be gone surely?.. So i thought getting an Application form in anyway would atleast get me onto there waiting lists.

 

[Dave1987]

One more thing i don't see why i should just sit around trolling TOC's websites waiting for job vacancies to appear on there website?.. By time a Job arises and i get my CV in the job will be gone surely?.. So i thought getting an Application form in anyway would atleast get me onto there waiting lists.

Sorry buddy thats exactly what all your competition does! Ppl who are really serious about become a driver look at TOC's jobs pages a couple of times a week for the trainee positions and then get their application in quick! Im sorry to say this but if you are not going to put the hard work in to look for the trainee positions and expect a position to just land in your lap you will prob be disappointed. You need to be prepared to relocate aswell as you have to live within 20 miles of your depot.

 

[scottk]

I am constantly looking on websites, Ive got them saved into my favorites.. Even on my iPhone.. And with Ashford, Dover, Ramsgate and Faversham im within 20miles of all Depots.

I know its a hard job to get into, Already understand that, but it seems that when you say you want to do anything that's hard to get into Negativity gets thrown about.

 

[Dave1987]

I am constantly looking on websites, Ive got them saved into my favorites.. Even on my iPhone.. And with Ashford, Dover, Ramsgate and Faversham im within 20miles of all Depots.

I know its a hard job to get into, Already understand that, but it seems that when you say you want to do anything that's hard to get into Negativity gets thrown about.

Like I said you need to be prepared to relocate, I did by 165 miles for my job. If you are just concentrating on one TOC you are seriously narrowing your options. TOC's like GA/First/Northern regularly take on trainee drivers "off the street" to quote a turn of phrase. You are right it's a seriously hard job to get into and you need to be prepared to do what the TOC wants you to do I.e move closer to your depot because plenty of your competition will be willing to do that.

 

[notadriver]

I am constantly looking on websites, Ive got them saved into my favorites.. Even on my iPhone.. And with Ashford, Dover, Ramsgate and Faversham im within 20miles of all Depots.

I know its a hard job to get into, Already understand that, but it seems that when you say you want to do anything that's hard to get into Negativity gets thrown about.

You won't be able to get into the depots you mention as an external trainee. They do take on internals for those depots such as conductors. The only chance you'll get is at a Metro or London depot which will mean you'll have to travel and relocate. Why should any of those depots take you over a qualified driver in the queue requesting a move?

 

[scottk]

Well the woman i phoned today assured me i will hear something within the year.

Are you saying EVERY driver in the Southeastern company that are based at Ramsgate, Faversham, Dover, Ashford, Tunbridge wells ect got their jobs with other TOC's or all had to relocate to London to get a Trainee job?

 

[Dave1987]

I don't know but wouldn't be surprised if that was true or they got promoted internally.

 

[Class2ldn]

Yeah basically, i know one bloke who lives in maidstone but the only place he was offered was charing x, take it or leave it, he took it but on the agreement that southeastern taxi him in for the morning starts,also i made a mistake earlier, its 5 years for a coastal depot and 3 years for a london depot. I know of one guy who is at tonbridge who was on my course but thats only because he accepted a london depot first but somehow managed to persuade them to let him go to tonbridge, needless to say he isnt flavour of the month.In all the time ive seen southeastern recruit, not once has it been for a depot outside of london, there is even a waiting list for gillingham but that place is generally reserved for those with six fingers and toes on each hand/foot lol.
Dont like to dash anyones hopes but i know of a driver who commutes all the way from the coast to a london depot because he couldnt get a start on the coast, also i dont think southeastern have a time limit for the depots as i regularly have an hours commute each way. Unfortunately your just in a location where the toc will NOT take on trainees, there is a waiting list as long as your arm for ramsgate, hastings, faversham etc so the chance of them putting a trainee in front of a qualified is zilch. Thats why you cant request a transfer to the coastal depots for five years.

 

[pendolino]

If Southeastern is anything like Southern, then the scenario suggested is entirely possible. A lot of drivers here start at depots like Selhurst or Victoria, then after a few years get fed up with continuous Metro work (and the high property prices associated with living in London), so put in for a transfer to the coastal depots where the work is (or is perceived to be) easier. As a result, vacancies through natural wastage at these depots tend to be filled internally by transfer, leaving vacancies at Metro depots to be filled with trainees. Eastbourne, for example, is very much 'dead man's shoes' and I've never known a trainee vacancy to be advertised there, unlike Selhurst/Norwood/Vic/London Bridge.

I don't know if Southeastern is entirely comparable, but it is feasible.

And please don't take the advice given on this thread as negativity, it's intended to be pragmatic. This is the railway, it works in mysterious ways.