Edited that for you, I used to work for them!
Thanks! Knew it was something like that. There's a guy in the Edinburgh travel centre just now who was taken on through them since there were some staff shortages. He applied for the job I did but unfortunately didn't get it. He admitted he had a bad interview, as EC employment is based on getting a high scoring interview (apparently).
EDIT: Upon googling, there's a Railway People too! Don't know which one EC use though.
Do they tend to keep people on permanently when they finish the temporary contract? I presume your performance while on the temp contract comes into it.
Hmmn. It depends. They do seasonal employment in EDI/KGX for what they call 'baggage/mobility assists', helping with that stupid luggage check-in system they have going on between the two stations and helping little old ladies onto trains. That goes on for a few months over summer and winter, as well as sometimes Easter/September holidays. That goes through Springs if you're interested. £5.93 an hour no matter your age, working like a dog for less than regular CSAs basically. I did everything a CSA did except despatching, even higher-grade duties such as reception working etc. This year, only myself and one other (as far as I know) got kept on but the year before I think a lot of them did. Depends on staff-shortages in the station. Your performance is definitely a plus. I got noticed doing seasonal work, and word was passed along to the travel centre when I applied so that may have helped. Also, the seasonal work is a great way to get in if you don't have any family in the railway. A lot of job vacancies are passed along to sons/daughters and no one can ever find where they are advertised externally, so getting in through Springs is a bit easier.
Cleaning is outsourced to ISS. They use recruitment agencies for onboard crew but they are in house.
EDI cleaning is done inhouse. I heard there's a big push to use agencies but the union is fighting it, last I heard.