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Where to start..?

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LndMid

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I have literally no idea, Can someone.. anyone give me some sort of indication as to where I can start? I've been researching trainee train driver, Apprenticeships.. Anything really and I can't find out what I need.

Sorry if I sound stupid, but I need help.. :)
 
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LndMid

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Sorry, wasn't clear with that.. Train driver?.. But I've been looking at many different jobs to do with rail.. But yeah, Train driver..
 

GNER 373

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It's one of the hardest jobs to get into as finding one of these openings is very rare! Most TOCs promote internally, many drivers or trainee drivers have worked in the industry in many other roles before getting the chance at driving. There is a website which I cannot remember but will find it and post it here when I do that's really helpful and a great insight into the role, but be prepared to wait to even 'get on' the railways....I know I've been trying for a year!
 

LndMid

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Oh, Well thats a mighty long time to be waiting for an oportunity to arise, I wouldn't mind working within the rail industry, Doesn't have to be a driver, I'd love to do anything but I can't seem to find a job..
 

GNER 373

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http://www.traindrivertrainee.com/index.html

Here's one that I recall getting a lot if good info from, not sure if it's working as I'm looking at it via iPhone and it's all mixed text! Good read if you can see it though!

I'm planning on taking an onboard or station role, something close to working on/with the actual train itself and working up from there! Your best bet is to find your local TOC plus a national TOC that serves a station that you live near too, get on their website and search for job roles. You'll find very little but you can sign up for job notifications and if anything comes up you'll get an email giving you the info! Saves you checking the websites every day that I tried for over a month! :)

Hope this helps a bit!
 

Latecomer

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I agree that the traindrivertrainee site is probably the best and most informative around. The salaries are now a bit out of date but you can get more up to date ones via ASLEF's website. This blog is also a very good read:

http://www.traindriver.org/trainee-drivers-blog.html

You'll also find plenty of info on people's experiences of the assessment process with different TOC's under this very forum section :D
 

142094

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You don't say how old you are, but for some jobs you have to be a certain age. AT the present time it seems the best route is to get into the company at a low level (train presentation, revenue protection etc) then work your way up the ladder. Very hard to go straight into a driving job unfortunately.
 

HSTfan!!!

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Very hard to go straight into a driving job unfortunately.

Certainly not impossible though.
You didn't say how old you were, you'll need to be 18+ for Guards, Revenue, Station, Trolley Dolly Jobs and 21+ for driving (except I believe it's 18 for London Underground)
If you're younger there is the NR and LU apprenticeships.
 

driver9000

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Minimum age for driving on LU is 18. Minimum age for mainline is 21 although some TOCs will take on trainees aged 20.

Keep checking the websites of your local operators as vacancies appear all the time. Some may not be suitable to you because of their location etc but keep looking! It took me years to get on the railway I kept getting rejection after rejection, but I never let it get me down and I kept applying for anything and everything, eventually I struck lucky managing to get a place as a Trainee Driver and I've never looked back. Good luck with your search, something will turn up.
 

E&W Lucas

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I have literally no idea, Can someone.. anyone give me some sort of indication as to where I can start? I've been researching trainee train driver, Apprenticeships.. Anything really and I can't find out what I need.

Sorry if I sound stupid, but I need help.. :)

Without knowing anything about you, that is impossible to answer!

No employer is going to be particularly impressed with "I don't know what I want to do", so maybe a school / college (I'm guessing at your circumstances here) careers service could be a better place to start. Try and think more about where your aptitudes lie. Is it working with people, fixing things, operating machines, etc. Work that out, and you've a better idea of the type of work you should be looking for.

Driving - forget the minimum age business - you don't see many 20 year old trainees. What you need is a track record of holding responsibility in the workplace. With the necessary aptitude, the ability to conduct yourself correctly in a selection process, and a little luck, direct entry to driver is then within your grasp. I'm going to be the second driver in this thread who is going to point out that they went directly into the job; so did 80 - 90% of the other trainees at that company. Those who are posting about "starting at the bottom" do not work in the industry; that what they are posting is incorrect has been pointed out many times, but they have yet to grasp this! A fact that would suggest that they may only be in a position to apply for the unskilled work that they are suggesting to you. If that too is your situation, then the railway is a better place to be than most of the other options. Being in a final salary pension scheme is a massive bonus.
 

TDK

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Oh, Well thats a mighty long time to be waiting for an oportunity to arise, I wouldn't mind working within the rail industry, Doesn't have to be a driver, I'd love to do anything but I can't seem to find a job..

Why do you want to work on the railway so much? (Valid Question)
 

1V53

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Why do you want to work on the railway so much? (Valid Question)

Presumably because they are an enthusiast (hence why here) and want to work in an industry they have an enthusiasm and interest in!
 

1V53

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Being in a final salary pension scheme is a massive bonus.

Although the chances of that still being the case when a 20-something or 30-something and probably even 40-something person retires is probably negligible tbh.
 

The Snap

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Although the chances of that still being the case when a 20-something or 30-something and probably even 40-something person retires is probably negligible tbh.

The chances of getting a state pension when those age groups retire is too! :lol:
 

E&W Lucas

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Although the chances of that still being the case when a 20-something or 30-something and probably even 40-something person retires is probably negligible tbh.

Sadly you may be correct, but there's plenty else better about life on the railway, than in the "outside world"!
 

TDK

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Presumably because they are an enthusiast (hence why here) and want to work in an industry they have an enthusiasm and interest in!

not a valid enough reason to become a train driver -
 
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