East Midlands Trains - Trainee Service Driver Neville Hill

[Andy Pacer]

https://careers.eastmidlandstrains.co.uk/vacancy.aspx?ref=2019-33

 

[Matt whitaker]

Does anyone know what this role fully involves (ie hours of work, tasks involved) and whether your able to go onto mainline driving at somepoint after? Thanks

 

[heedfan]

Does anyone know what this role fully involves (ie hours of work, tasks involved) and whether your able to go onto mainline driving at somepoint after? Thanks

Two rosters, mixed and permanent nights. Generally work around 4.5 days a week but some weeks more, some weeks less. Three shifts, mornings/afternoons/nights (start times vary). Big difference in role compared to other EMT depots as service drivers at NH shunt whereas other depots have dedicated shunters. A lot of splitting coaches/powercars etc. NH deals with LNER traction so Mk.IV on nights, HST (obviously EMT HSTs too) and soon to be IEPs. Regarding mainline, all service drivers currently at NH do not have the European license or the full rules package, whilst other EMT depots do. This obviously impacts your ability to go mainline with another TOC. EMT are very open and positive about your opportunities for mainline within but you would have to relocate after a few years as there are no mainline EMT drivers based at Leeds. The training package has changed recently however, so new trainees may well get full rules/European license. Hope that helps.

 

[Matt whitaker]

Thanks for your reply about this. Massively helps and suppose is worth a shot really.

 

[Busyboy89]

Hey Matt, did you apply for this job?

 

[Giz]

Heedfan. If I were happy to remain a service/depot driver this sounds like a good opportunity yes? And, do EMT frown upon people wishing to do that? Only ask as you seem quite knowledgeable about this role.

 

[heedfan]

EMT have no issues with people wanting to remain in the service driver role, it’s your decision.

 

[Tink]

Would anyone know if it would be possible to transfer over to Nottingham EMT once applied or after/ during training. Also are they strict on travelling more than 1 hour etc? Thanks.

 

[heedfan]

Would anyone know if it would be possible to transfer over to Nottingham EMT once applied or after/ during training. Also are they strict on travelling more than 1 hour etc? Thanks.

Given that the 1 hour traveling time is linked to safety and fatigue, yes, they are strict. If you were caught trying to hide traveling from further than 1 hour you would be in serious trouble. You can transfer internally but it depends on vacancies and you would likely have to serve a fair bit of time following your training at Leeds as the roles are quite different. You require the full rules package for Nottingham/Derby as they do mainline driving whereas Leeds drivers do not so you would need some sort of further training. Respectfully, perhaps you should just apply to Nottingham when it is next advertised?

 

[Giz]

Thanks for the reply heedfan. Appreciated!

 

[Giz]

Heedfan. Assuming NH service drivers don't do the full rules as other depos do would I be right in saying the training won't be as long then. And, would the same be right for the initial assessments? ie stage 1 etc

 

[Giz]

Also..... Lol. Sorry for being a pain. Did you do the "Train Driver level 3 apprenticeship" as stated in the ad. And there's only 3 stages mentioned whereas other posts on here mention 4 stages?

 

[heedfan]

Also..... Lol. Sorry for being a pain. Did you do the "Train Driver level 3 apprenticeship" as stated in the ad. And there's only 3 stages mentioned whereas other posts on here mention 4 stages?

No, that came in after I had done my training.

 

[Matt whitaker]

Hey Matt, did you apply for this job?

Sorry for the late reply. No I didn't apply in the end but slightly wish I had of now

 

[Evolution]

Does anybody know if NH service drivers now get full rules package and a European license with the new apprenticeship? The advert certainly reads that way.

Also assuming you get the full rules package would this allow you to apply to qualified roles or would you need to go in at a trainee driver level?

 

[heedfan]

You will get the full rules package but whether you get a European license at the end of it, I don’t know. I suspect the company won’t want to start issuing them to NH staff.

Even if you did get a European license, I suspect most other TOCs would treat you as a trainee as there is absolutely no mainline driving as part of the role at NH so there’s no way to build up experience of that side of things.

 

[Giz]

Heedfan. With regard to the shifts you mentioned at the beginning. Are the morning/afternoon/night shifts equally balanced? And is it choice if you want permanent nights?

 

[Giz]

Anyone invited to stage 1 yet? I have but not received any practice material yet.

 

[heedfan]

Heedfan. With regard to the shifts you mentioned at the beginning. Are the morning/afternoon/night shifts equally balanced? And is it choice if you want permanent nights?

Choice depends on if there is a vacancy in both rosters really. Shifts are fairly evenly spread between the three, the obvious exception being permanent nights roster.

 

[Evolution]

You will get the full rules package but whether you get a European license at the end of it, I don’t know. I suspect the company won’t want to start issuing them to NH staff.

Even if you did get a European license, I suspect most other TOCs would treat you as a trainee as there is absolutely no mainline driving as part of the role at NH so there’s no way to build up experience of that side of things.

Thanks for this info heedfan, could the depot drivers based out of Derby and Nottingham apply to qualified mainline roles once they've completed their training?

If you're based at NH and want to move up to mainline driving in future it looks like you have to relocate to Derby or Nottingham or apply for a trainee driver role with another TOC/FOC.

I'm assuming if you're a service driver you wouldn't need to resit the assessments if you applied to a trainee role down the line? and I would imagine this role would put you in good stead for passing a sift for a trainee driver role. Of course, some people may enjoy being a service driver and stay doing this role as it's a good role after all.

 

[heedfan]

Thanks for this info heedfan, could the depot drivers based out of Derby and Nottingham apply to qualified mainline roles once they've completed their training?

If you're based at NH and want to move up to mainline driving in future it looks like you have to relocate to Derby or Nottingham or apply for a trainee driver role with another TOC/FOC.

I'm assuming if you're a service driver you wouldn't need to resit the assessments if you applied to a trainee role down the line? and I would imagine this role would put you in good stead for passing a sift for a trainee driver role. Of course, some people may enjoy being a service driver and stay doing this role as it's a good role after all.

Correct on everything here, though depending on psychometric assessments after 5 years has passed another TOC, or even the new EMT franchise when it is renewed, may expect you to resit them. Hard to say for certain though.

 

[Scouse_scott]

Thanks for this info heedfan, could the depot drivers based out of Derby and Nottingham apply to qualified mainline roles once they've completed their training?

You can apply for mainline driver roles with EMT once you have completed 180 turns as a depot driver. Alternatively you could go work for another TOC or FOC immediately because you do have the full rules training and European train driver license. There is no extra training required as you have been trained up to mainline standard and are assessed on Main line rules and regulations.

 

[Leedslad27]

Hi

I’m just wondering if there is anyone on here who attended the stage one part for this role on 27th March in Derby? and if so just wondering if anyone heard anything back yet? Thanks in advance.

 

[Giz]

I attended on the 29th just heard back today.
Anyone got any insight for the online video interview? Heedfan?

 

[heedfan]

I attended on the 29th just heard back today.
Anyone got any insight for the online video interview? Heedfan?

Never did it, must be a new thing! Best of luck.

 

[Giz]

Email I received said "it's really no different to taking a selfie' errrrm I don't do selfies, maybe I ought to start lol. Thanks heedfan. While you're here do you use shunter locos?

 

[heedfan]

The majority of the work at NH involves shunter locos, 08s to be specific. That is less true at Derby and Notts from what I gather from colleagues down there.

 

[Hanson7225]

Hi

I’m just wondering if there is anyone on here who attended the stage one part for this role on 27th March in Derby? and if so just wondering if anyone heard anything back yet? Thanks in advance.

Hi
I went on the 27th and have received an email for a video interview.

 

[Giz]

Hi
I went on the 27th and have received an email for a video interview.

Hanson do you have to do it by Thursday night?

 

[Markwalker]

Hi, I was wondering if anyone has advice on the mmi interview and if there is a time frame on experiences, for example does the answer you give have to be from the past 5 years. Any help would be greatly appreciated.