Waiting on LM

[Romneym335]

Well, a couple of months ago I decided on a career change to trainee driver after seeing a friend make the change.

It's all I've been thinking of ever since. Being based in Birmingham with a young family I'm reliant on LM or Chiltern. I can't really relocate due to family. Unfortunately LM recruited in August so I missed it. So now it's just a waiting game for recruitment to open again. I know that they are still getting through interviews so god knows how long it's going to be. Anyone got any ideas or able to offer any support? It's going to be a long wait I think, possibly years

 

[Cherry_Picker]

Chiltern have a school starting in September/October. I know a few internal candidates have got spots on that course, unsure about external but it might be worth watching the website.

However, I think all new entrants would be based at Banbury or Aylesbury with Chiltern. There seems to be a desire to keep new starters on DMU work at the moment and Birmingham, Stourbridge and London all have locomotive work and it appears that there are enough people at Banbury and Aylesbury keen to relocate to Birmingham/Stourbridge/London that vacancies cropping up at those depots can be filled by experienced drivers. Don't rule out freight work by the way, there is quite a bit of that in the area and they have been known to take on trainee drivers too. Some drivers like to badmouth freight at every chance they get as it's quite different to passenger work but it really suits others. Not entirely sure which companies are recruiting at the moment but there are depots at Saltley and Hams Hall, Bescot too. Not sure if there are drivers at Hams Hall.

I'll point out the obvious too, getting a trainee driver's job isn't easy. It's a fiercely competitive market and there are hundreds (sometimes thousands) of applicants per vacancy, as well as being an outstanding candidate you need a bit of luck too. Could be worth getting into the railway at another grade and working up to a drivers job, most people who decide it's driver or nothing end up with nothing.

 

[Tubeboy]

They said they will be recruiting more drivers soon as a result of winning their franchise extension bid.

 

[Apples&Pears]

They said they will be recruiting more drivers soon as a result of winning their franchise extension bid.

That would be good if it happens. Can anyone remind me where their drivers are based though?

 

[cobbler]

dont hold your breath they have many people in the pipeline all ready, enough to fill courses for the considerable future

 

[Cherry_Picker]

That would be good if it happens. Can anyone remind me where their drivers are based though?

New Street
Snow Hill
Leamington Spa
Worcester
Coventry
Wolverhampton

If you want to venture a bit further afield then Shrewsbury (I think), Crewe, Northampton, Bletchley. Don't think they have anyone at Euston or Watford anymore because of London Overground.

 

[Romneym335]

Cheers all, I'm already in a good job that attracts thousands of applicants when recruited for, but I want to change now. I'll bide my time and be ready to pounce whenever they recruit again ??????

 

[Apples&Pears]

Thanks for that Cherry_Picker - thought that was the case. Wouldn't be feasible for me.