metrolink drivers

[Withnailandi]

Metrolink are advertising for trainee tram drivers.

 

[Silv1983]

I wonder why they've left the salary part blank. The pay isn't great so it's not like they'll be overwhelmed with applications from no-hopers like for heavy rail driving vacancies.

 

[507 001]

Does anybody have a rough idea of the salary?

 

[telstarbox]

When Metrolink recruited last year it was "starting at £18k rising to to £23k".

http://www.britishtramsonline.co.uk/news/?p=293

 

[185]

£25k-ish basic, shift allowance after 10pm, 35hr week, overtime at time+50%

XX £18k training wage until passed out.

Realistic earnings £30k. Earliest start 4am, latest finish 2am.

Despite the low basic, staff retention is very high and applications number about 100:1.

Just a reminder, applicants must have had a full, clean car license for two years.

 

[507 001]

£30k doesn't sound too bad..... Plus there's always the possibility for promotions etc in the future.

 

[beavercreek]

I drive for them and agree with what 185 has said.
Training is about 3 months and the reason there is no salary is that we are in talks over a pay increase.
The job has proven to be a good stepping stone to the heavy rail due to the number of drivers we have lost to Northern over the last couple of years.
If successful applicants get through the sift then they will be invited to and assessment day using some of the tests set out by the OPC.
The vacancy will attract between 500-800 applications with about 30 getting an invite to the assessment day.Only 9 will start on a driving course.
Overall the job is fantastic and if you like doing overtime then you can fill your boots throughout the year.

Good luck

 

[Daniel84]

The salary is now showing as between £18k and £23k, I was hoping nobody else would notice the advert, haha. I've been checking this page for months with no joy. Needless to say I'll definitely be applying and good luck to the rest who do.

 

[302PS]

Salary
£18,956.80 - £23,696.00

Apparently they want 80 drivers for early August intake
Closing date is Thursday so they'll be moving quickly

 

[507 001]

I drive for them and agree with what 185 has said.
Training is about 3 months and the reason there is no salary is that we are in talks over a pay increase.
The job has proven to be a good stepping stone to the heavy rail due to the number of drivers we have lost to Northern over the last couple of years.
If successful applicants get through the sift then they will be invited to and assessment day using some of the tests set out by the OPC.
The vacancy will attract between 500-800 applications with about 30 getting an invite to the assessment day.Only 9 will start on a driving course.
Overall the job is fantastic and if you like doing overtime then you can fill your boots throughout the year.

Good luck

What tests do they give? I have a pass for group bourdon etc from a heavy rail assessment I did last year (I failed on the interview)?

Also, what are shift patterns like? I'd like to be able to keep my ticket on the FR but I'm not sure if it would be possible to fit it in around shifts?

 

[Shrimper]

The tests are two rules test and the SCAAT test (similar to group bourdon but using shapes), done on paper. They do not count towards any assessments done for heavy rain, so if you have recently failed or run out of heavy rail assessments you can still apply. Similarly, if you have passed them for heavy rail this does not count and you will still need to sit the tests.

The lower salary applies to the 3 months training and then a further 3 month probationary period - which can be extended.

Don't expect a speedy response - I applied in October last year and finally got on a course last month - 7 of us on it.

New drivers will almost certainly be based at the new Old Trafford depot, though most training will still be Queens Road based.

 

[507 001]

The tests are two rules test and the SCAAT test (similar to group bourdon but using shapes), done on paper. They do not count towards any assessments done for heavy rain, so if you have recently failed or run out of heavy rail assessments you can still apply. Similarly, if you have passed them for heavy rail this does not count and you will still need to sit the tests.

The lower salary applies to the 3 months training and then a further 3 month probationary period - which can be extended.

Don't expect a speedy response - I applied in October last year and finally got on a course last month - 7 of us on it.

New drivers will almost certainly be based at the new Old Trafford depot, though most training will still be Queens Road based.

Cheers

 

[302PS]

Don't expect a speedy response - I applied in October last year and finally got on a course last month - 7 of us on it.

New drivers will almost certainly be based at the new Old Trafford depot, though most training will still be Queens Road based.

I know this is usually the case but it says on the app, are you available to start August 2013 and I know some extensions are well ahead of scheldule

 

[beavercreek]

I would guess that the new trainees will start ASAP due to lack of drivers at this moment.

The shift patterns follow a 102 week rota and although some shifts can change slightly,the rest days remain the same.
Usually you work earlies,middles and lates and shift can be swapped as long as there is 12 hours between your finish time and book on time the next day.

Mon-Thurs---earliest 4-30am and latest finish is 01-15
Fri+Sat -earliest 4-30 and latest finish is 02-30
Sun-----earliest 5-30 and latest finish is 00-30

Shift lengths vary from 5-9 hours and average out at 37hrs per week.

 

[Shrimper]

I know this is usually the case but it says on the app, are you available to start August 2013 and I know some extensions are well ahead of scheldule

Ah, fair enough - I haven't seen the actual application so wasn't aware of that. I don't envy HR having to go through all those applications so quickly!

 

[302PS]

I just hope they read them all properly and don't just reach a number and think "that'll do "

Closing date today....strange day a Thursday... Wonder if its to crack on straight away from Friday, they must have started "marking" them as they come in and not wait till today surely

 

[takeaway]

Bearing in mind most people would have a 4 week notice period, timescales are very short for a August start.

 

[302PS]

Mines a week so every little helps

 

[Redmatador]

Hi all

Just wondering how many people on this forum have applied for the metrolink (manchester) job?

If so is anybody else expecting to hear anything this week, (good or bad) given they wanted people to start in august?

Good luck to all those who have applied!

 

[302PS]

Usually takes ages but I am expecting to hear this week, if not next
Fingers crossed!

 

[beavercreek]

We need about 40 new drivers by the end of the year.
I heard about 600 people applied and they are being short listed at the moment and 3 assessment days are planed over the next 3 weeks.
I would expect applicants to have a response by the end of next week as they need to get training under way ASAP.

 

[Redmatador]

We need about 40 new drivers by the end of the year.
I heard about 600 people applied and they are being short listed at the moment and 3 assessment days are planed over the next 3 weeks.
I would expect applicants to have a response by the end of next week as they need to get training under way ASAP.

Good info there beaver creek, I thought they would get more than 600 applying?
I think it's a cracking job if you can get in.

Can I ask beaver creek, did you have any previous experience from the railway/metro link and do you know of extremal staff getting in at all?

Many thanks in advance

 

[beavercreek]

I would say that 99% of our drivers are external.
The good thing about Metrolink is that all our driver managers,supervisors,trainers,minder drivers,control room staff and tester drivers were all drivers at some stage so it is a good company for gaining promotion.

I came from a plumbing background and have no railway experience.

The 600 applications are after the sift.
Some have been binned for incomplete applications,driving convictions ect

 

[507 001]

Had a phone call about half an hour ago, asking if I can go to an assessment next Thursday (25th), with a possible start date on the 5th August!

I've been told to expect 3 tests, one of which is SCAAT, and if I'm successful in the morning I'll go onto an interview in the afternoon and a short drive of a tram!

Really excited/nervous now, would anybody be willing to give any advice/tips about the sort of questions they'll ask in the interview? That's the thing I'm most worried about as its what I failed on on my last heavy rail application!

Cheers
Rob

 

[302PS]

Just had the same call!!
Is it the dot/numbers anyone?

 

[Manchester77]

I can imagine there is an even bigger push for additional drivers now they've moved the date for the Ashton extension from Winter 13/14 to Autumn 13 (it's on the July 13 dated travel guide, defiantly available at eccles travel shop)

 

[Redmatador]

I would say that 99% of our drivers are external.
The good thing about Metrolink is that all our driver managers,supervisors,trainers,minder drivers,control room staff and tester drivers were all drivers at some stage so it is a good company for gaining promotion.

I came from a plumbing background and have no railway experience.

The 600 applications are after the sift.
Some have been binned for incomplete applications,driving convictions ect

Thanks again for the info, I just hope my application is good enough to get through to the assessments!

 

[beavercreek]

The interview questions are quite straight forward.
Just think safety in everything you answer.

When I did my interview they asked for what would be my actions if this happened and why I would do it.

Example

Q You over run a platform and One of your doors is no longer on the platform and you can no longer see the signal aspect from your cab,what would you do in this situation?

I answered that I would act upon what the company rule book says or what I would have been taught in training.

They don't want to here anything else!

The drive round the depot is ONLY a task to see if you can follow simple instructions.
5mph max no exceptions
Keep a good look out for obstructions and people.
Pay attention to what's in front of you and not talking to much or looking at the instructor.

Get practicing the tests and the rest is straight forward really.

It goes without saying,full suit including tie for the day.

Any further questions then fire away.

 

[507 001]

The interview questions are quite straight forward.
Just think safety in everything you answer.

When I did my interview they asked for what would be my actions if this happened and why I would do it.

Example

Q You over run a platform and One of your doors is no longer on the platform and you can no longer see the signal aspect from your cab,what would you do in this situation?

I answered that I would act upon what the company rule book says or what I would have been taught in training.

They don't want to here anything else!

The drive round the depot is ONLY a task to see if you can follow simple instructions.
5mph max no exceptions
Keep a good look out for obstructions and people.
Pay attention to what's in front of you and not talking to much or looking at the instructor.

Get practicing the tests and the rest is straight forward really.

It goes without saying,full suit including tie for the day.

Any further questions then fire away.

Cheers, that's a big help and a bit of a relief!

I'm assuming you can't answer everything with "do as the rule book says" though surely?

 

[Starmill]

It goes without saying,full suit including tie for the day.

What about a bright yellow one? Or is that going too far