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MTR Crossrail Trainee Driver (Multiple Locations)

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simonw22

Member
Joined
13 Sep 2013
Messages
72
Just want to say thanks to everyone who has had good advice. I had applied for gidea park depot and had my DMI Wednesday, got the call today and given a start date for June 3 but they asked if I was willing to do old oak instead. Keep going guys I was beating myself up about the questions I thought I could have answered better.
I did the same, i left thinking christ i cant believe i didnt know the answer to that question but apparently i breezed through. I start April 1st. I thought the Gidea/ilford depots were on hold so well done. Take Old oak whilst you can
 

Iceberg1

Member
Joined
9 Oct 2018
Messages
78
Just want to say thanks to everyone who has had good advice. I had applied for gidea park depot and had my DMI Wednesday, got the call today and given a start date for June 3 but they asked if I was willing to do old oak instead. Keep going guys I was beating myself up about the questions I thought I could have answered better.

Well done congrats!! Did you accept that depot and how far do you live from Old Oak?
 

slidingdoors

Member
Joined
15 Apr 2017
Messages
141
I'm starting to get the feeling that those of us who waited 14 days to be told we were accepted, might not have been the company's first choice.
I’d say more it’s about getting a group together for that start date and letting everyone know at the same time. If you had your interview earlier you had a wait a bit longer. I’ve been offered the same date and waited nearly two weeks. That’s how I’m seeing it anyway!
 

slidingdoors

Member
Joined
15 Apr 2017
Messages
141
Just want to say thanks to everyone who has had good advice. I had applied for gidea park depot and had my DMI Wednesday, got the call today and given a start date for June 3 but they asked if I was willing to do old oak instead. Keep going guys I was beating myself up about the questions I thought I could have answered better.
See you on the 3rd. :D. I had a similar scenario. Applied for gidea park, although just before my DMI I went online and noticed my application had changed to old oak..They made it clear in the interview is was for old oak too so I went along. I guess they must have checked where we live and we got lucky that we’re close enough.
 

Bigbru

Member
Joined
4 Jun 2017
Messages
71
What I have not seen anywhere is whether there is a minimum term you must serve with the TOC once you qualify as a Train Driver?

£120k to train a trainee train driver must surely have some tie in period associated with it.
It’s 2 years after passing out
 

TONE.84

Member
Joined
23 Aug 2018
Messages
63
Just want to say thanks to everyone who has had good advice. I had applied for gidea park depot and had my DMI Wednesday, got the call today and given a start date for June 3 but they asked if I was willing to do old oak instead. Keep going guys I was beating myself up about the questions I thought I could have answered better.

Congratulations mate! Can I ask where you’re based? Are you still able to make oak common in 40 minutes or have crossrail scrapped that to get people in? Do they say about what would happen if you said no and waited for a position in the east?!
 

TONE.84

Member
Joined
23 Aug 2018
Messages
63
I just had a look at my profile in MTR crossrail! When I go to view vacancy details of my current application it’s saying Old Oak Common, for the Trainee Traine Driver (0085), anyone else got this who have applied for east depots?

Hope it isn’t the case if just starting to offer the West to people! As much as I want the job I don’t want to have well over an hour of travelling!
 

SAM2389

Member
Joined
10 Aug 2018
Messages
49
I just had a look at my profile in MTR crossrail! When I go to view vacancy details of my current application it’s saying Old Oak Common, for the Trainee Traine Driver (0085), anyone else got this who have applied for east depots?

Hope it isn’t the case if just starting to offer the West to people! As much as I want the job I don’t want to have well over an hour of travelling!

Mate yeah mines done that as well I applied for ilford depot. I think the original code for ilford was (0052) and now it’s trainee driver (0085) old oak common so what that will mean I’m not sure.

Still no signs of a dmi though
 

Teddyward

Member
Joined
3 Oct 2017
Messages
473
Location
Thurrock
Just logged in to check mine. It has been changed to old oak common too. If the interview is for there I’d have to decline. It’s too far to be realistic on a permanent basis. 1hr 30 on a good day. More than prepared to wait for future east side vacancies.
 

slidingdoors

Member
Joined
15 Apr 2017
Messages
141
Yes mine had changed to old oak common too. I think someone said on here there are no positions in the east and other people who have passed the DMI have been told as much. I guess there’s no knowing how long the wait would be for those depots. I live 35 / 40 mins from old oak but the east would be much better (I’m in east London / Essex borders). It’s too good / rare an opportunity to pass up though there’s no way I’d turn it down.
 

Arvz

Member
Joined
18 Aug 2018
Messages
23
Yeah on the phone call they asked me if I was willing to change depot as I was within distance of old oak (40mins). That being said I had no reason to ask if I could wait for east as gidea was also 40mins.
 

Anders99

Member
Joined
22 Aug 2018
Messages
89
I'm currently training, and tbh during this time we are expected to attend training at St Mary's Axe, Old Oak, Gidea Park and Romford. I am based at Old Oak Common and we've also been told we'll be learning to drive on the East. Although training could only take 9 months, it's looking more likely that it'll take around 15months right now because of the lack of Driving Instructors. My advise would be to take what's offered and deal with what depot you have when you've passed out, but guess that depends on how much you want the job.

They also have a set amount of drivers that they require, of which they'll soon be close, and I highly doubt anyone will be leaving MTR Crossrail anytime over the next few years, unless of course they go for promotion and rise within the ranks. Everyone's happy here!
 

Starz123

Member
Joined
8 Dec 2018
Messages
42
I just had a look at my profile in MTR crossrail! When I go to view vacancy details of my current application it’s saying Old Oak Common, for the Trainee Traine Driver (0085), anyone else got this who have applied for east depots?

Hope it isn’t the case if just starting to offer the West to people! As much as I want the job I don’t want to have well over an hour of travelling!
Same with me tbh but in the contract I signed it says my place of work will be ilford. I start training next week so will just see what happens
 

TONE.84

Member
Joined
23 Aug 2018
Messages
63
Same with me tbh but in the contract I signed it says my place of work will be ilford. I start training next week so will just see what happens

Have to let us know mate what the other trainees starting with you have signed up for! Be interesting to know if there’s a whole group for the east or if you’ve managed and squeeze through haha! Good luck with starting though
 

Starz123

Member
Joined
8 Dec 2018
Messages
42
Have to let us know mate what the other trainees starting with you have signed up for! Be interesting to know if there’s a whole group for the east or if you’ve managed and squeeze through haha! Good luck with starting though
Thanks !! Will defo let you know. Hopefully I’ve scrapped through for ilford but will let ya know ;)
 

Anders99

Member
Joined
22 Aug 2018
Messages
89
So we get Uniform on Day 1, are we expected to have it washed and wear it on day 2?
Lol, yes. But wouldn't be surprised if some didn't get there uniform on the first day, so as long as you're dressed smartly you'll be ok should you not get a chance to wash it
 

Apex

Member
Joined
3 Aug 2018
Messages
15
Lol, yes. But wouldn't be surprised if some didn't get there uniform on the first day, so as long as you're dressed smartly you'll be ok should you not get a chance to wash it

Hey Anders! Mind me asking how everythings going with the course? Start mine in a couple of months :D Would you recommend anything to bring - note books for instance? Do we also get given a timetable that outlines the next couple of months in advance, how's annual leave calculated into the classe (if any)? Would be great to get an overview and your impressions (Do's and Dont's) before we start. Thanks!
 

Newbie19

Member
Joined
9 Dec 2018
Messages
14
Hey Anders! Mind me asking how everythings going with the course? Start mine in a couple of months :D Would you recommend anything to bring - note books for instance? Do we also get given a timetable that outlines the next couple of months in advance, how's annual leave calculated into the classe (if any)? Would be great to get an overview and your impressions (Do's and Dont's) before we start. Thanks!
I would also be interested in this.....
 

RailGuy111

Member
Joined
29 Jan 2019
Messages
5
Hi all, I'm a qualified driver, so what I say may have changed slightly, so keep that in mind.

You intially get a few days corporate/company Induction, this is a general overview of MTR, the Crossrail project. After that you begin your driver training, classroom based intially, but you'll be out and about quick enough, and switch between both.

There is a structure/plan you get, and you generally follow it, untill you get to accumulate driving hours, that's where the delays are happening, and the plan gets delayed/chnaged. You accumulate 2 days annual leave per month whilst training, you aren't garunteed any holiday during this period, but depending on time of year, you may get the odd week off as a group.

I hear some peoplep moan about the company and so on (nothing major, little gripes, which happens wherever you work I guess), but I'm happy where I am, and I think most are too!.

It's an exciting time for those of you starting, I hope you all enjoy your training!
 

JSegat

Member
Joined
25 Oct 2017
Messages
65
Lol, yes. But wouldn't be surprised if some didn't get there uniform on the first day, so as long as you're dressed smartly you'll be ok should you not get a chance to wash it
That would be so kind of you...
 

Anders99

Member
Joined
22 Aug 2018
Messages
89
Hey Anders! Mind me asking how everythings going with the course? Start mine in a couple of months :D Would you recommend anything to bring - note books for instance? Do we also get given a timetable that outlines the next couple of months in advance, how's annual leave calculated into the classe (if any)? Would be great to get an overview and your impressions (Do's and Dont's) before we start. Thanks!

Everything is going really well, haven't had a moments doubt that this was the right choice to make, and am glad I'm here.

First week is a bit slow, although you get to meet important people in the company and they all take time out to come and introduce themselves which is appreciated, however it's tiresome because you're just being talked at all day. Once your company induction is over with, and partially the operational induction and you start your actual training it'll become clear whether this is the role for you or not, and there's few and far between that drop out at any point.

Definitely bring a notepad and pen, although everyone gets issued an ipad, personally I purchased a Bluetooth keyboard so I can take notes more easily with that, however sometimes you're placed in situations where these devices aren't allowed, so pen and paper is vital.

Your first assessment is 2 weeks from starting, but don't get in a fuss about this you'll all be fine, believe me!

There is an outline of the training available, a basic one is available in most rooms at St Mary's Axe and you've probably seen this anyway, a more detailed one can be found in an app once they give you the ipad.

Training can be completed in as little as 9 months is everything goes to plan, however currently we're looking at 15months because of a lack of instructors.

I'd say to interact with the group as much as possible, the more you give the more you get. Don't be afraid to make suggestions to answers, I find id prefer to give a wrong answer and know it's wrong and find out the correct answer rather than sitting quiet and never knowing. So ask, ask, ask! There's a lot of self learning, you're not spoon fed, so be prepared to put in work, but it's not all consuming, it's very managable.

Everyone is genuinely friendly, and if you have any questions dont be afraid to ask the other drivers hanging around any questions, we've all been in the same position at some point.

You won't get your staff oyster card until about 3 weeks in, and your rail discount card until around 4 weeks in, so be prepared to put money in to get to St Mary's Axe everyday until then. However you can apply for a 'Residential Travel Card' for train journeys to work from your first contracted day for season tickets on other Rail networks giving you 75% and you have to apply for this off your own back so don't hang around.

Days generally last from 9am and finish no later than 4pm. When I get home I'll generally put about an hours worth of work in myself too, or whilst travelling on the train.

Microwaves are available so bring in food as its not cheap around there.

Can't think of anything else right now, just bring the right attitude, be grateful of being a select few (in the grander scale of things) who are lucky enough to be in our situation, and work hard to get where you need to go. It's fun, I love it and the team I'm with (@JSegat) we've bonded really well which really helps.
Anything else you wanna know, just ask :D
 

JSegat

Member
Joined
25 Oct 2017
Messages
65
Completely agree. When I've been told that managers and colleagues were nice and helpful, I was kind of sceptical. But at the end it proved to be true, people are really nice.
Even the MD came on our first day to introduce himself and talk about the company.
I can't talk about the other groups of trainees, but our group got along with each other very well, what really helps on some long days.
Just don't stress you out about it, come and enjoy your training, ask ask and ask, don't be afraid to be wrong as @Anders99 said.
 

Newbie19

Member
Joined
9 Dec 2018
Messages
14
Everything is going really well, haven't had a moments doubt that this was the right choice to make, and am glad I'm here.

First week is a bit slow, although you get to meet important people in the company and they all take time out to come and introduce themselves which is appreciated, however it's tiresome because you're just being talked at all day. Once your company induction is over with, and partially the operational induction and you start your actual training it'll become clear whether this is the role for you or not, and there's few and far between that drop out at any point.

Definitely bring a notepad and pen, although everyone gets issued an ipad, personally I purchased a Bluetooth keyboard so I can take notes more easily with that, however sometimes you're placed in situations where these devices aren't allowed, so pen and paper is vital.

Your first assessment is 2 weeks from starting, but don't get in a fuss about this you'll all be fine, believe me!

There is an outline of the training available, a basic one is available in most rooms at St Mary's Axe and you've probably seen this anyway, a more detailed one can be found in an app once they give you the ipad.

Training can be completed in as little as 9 months is everything goes to plan, however currently we're looking at 15months because of a lack of instructors.

I'd say to interact with the group as much as possible, the more you give the more you get. Don't be afraid to make suggestions to answers, I find id prefer to give a wrong answer and know it's wrong and find out the correct answer rather than sitting quiet and never knowing. So ask, ask, ask! There's a lot of self learning, you're not spoon fed, so be prepared to put in work, but it's not all consuming, it's very managable.

Everyone is genuinely friendly, and if you have any questions dont be afraid to ask the other drivers hanging around any questions, we've all been in the same position at some point.

You won't get your staff oyster card until about 3 weeks in, and your rail discount card until around 4 weeks in, so be prepared to put money in to get to St Mary's Axe everyday until then. However you can apply for a 'Residential Travel Card' for train journeys to work from your first contracted day for season tickets on other Rail networks giving you 75% and you have to apply for this off your own back so don't hang around.

Days generally last from 9am and finish no later than 4pm. When I get home I'll generally put about an hours worth of work in myself too, or whilst travelling on the train.

Microwaves are available so bring in food as its not cheap around there.

Can't think of anything else right now, just bring the right attitude, be grateful of being a select few (in the grander scale of things) who are lucky enough to be in our situation, and work hard to get where you need to go. It's fun, I love it and the team I'm with (@JSegat) we've bonded really well which really helps.
Anything else you wanna know, just ask :D
Anders, thank you very much for the insight, its great to hear that you are enjoying the experience and haven't looked back!
 

Newbie19

Member
Joined
9 Dec 2018
Messages
14
Completely agree. When I've been told that managers and colleagues were nice and helpful, I was kind of sceptical. But at the end it proved to be true, people are really nice.
Even the MD came on our first day to introduce himself and talk about the company.
I can't talk about the other groups of trainees, but our group got along with each other very well, what really helps on some long days.
Just don't stress you out about it, come and enjoy your training, ask ask and ask, don't be afraid to be wrong as @Anders99 said.
Thanks JSegat, as above its helpful to hear how you have been getting on, well done
 

Apex

Member
Joined
3 Aug 2018
Messages
15
Everything is going really well, haven't had a moments doubt that this was the right choice to make, and am glad I'm here.

First week is a bit slow, although you get to meet important people in the company and they all take time out to come and introduce themselves which is appreciated, however it's tiresome because you're just being talked at all day. Once your company induction is over with, and partially the operational induction and you start your actual training it'll become clear whether this is the role for you or not, and there's few and far between that drop out at any point.

Definitely bring a notepad and pen, although everyone gets issued an ipad, personally I purchased a Bluetooth keyboard so I can take notes more easily with that, however sometimes you're placed in situations where these devices aren't allowed, so pen and paper is vital.

Your first assessment is 2 weeks from starting, but don't get in a fuss about this you'll all be fine, believe me!

There is an outline of the training available, a basic one is available in most rooms at St Mary's Axe and you've probably seen this anyway, a more detailed one can be found in an app once they give you the ipad.

Training can be completed in as little as 9 months is everything goes to plan, however currently we're looking at 15months because of a lack of instructors.

I'd say to interact with the group as much as possible, the more you give the more you get. Don't be afraid to make suggestions to answers, I find id prefer to give a wrong answer and know it's wrong and find out the correct answer rather than sitting quiet and never knowing. So ask, ask, ask! There's a lot of self learning, you're not spoon fed, so be prepared to put in work, but it's not all consuming, it's very managable.

Everyone is genuinely friendly, and if you have any questions dont be afraid to ask the other drivers hanging around any questions, we've all been in the same position at some point.

You won't get your staff oyster card until about 3 weeks in, and your rail discount card until around 4 weeks in, so be prepared to put money in to get to St Mary's Axe everyday until then. However you can apply for a 'Residential Travel Card' for train journeys to work from your first contracted day for season tickets on other Rail networks giving you 75% and you have to apply for this off your own back so don't hang around.

Days generally last from 9am and finish no later than 4pm. When I get home I'll generally put about an hours worth of work in myself too, or whilst travelling on the train.

Microwaves are available so bring in food as its not cheap around there.

Can't think of anything else right now, just bring the right attitude, be grateful of being a select few (in the grander scale of things) who are lucky enough to be in our situation, and work hard to get where you need to go. It's fun, I love it and the team I'm with (@JSegat) we've bonded really well which really helps.
Anything else you wanna know, just ask :D

Completely agree. When I've been told that managers and colleagues were nice and helpful, I was kind of sceptical. But at the end it proved to be true, people are really nice.
Even the MD came on our first day to introduce himself and talk about the company.
I can't talk about the other groups of trainees, but our group got along with each other very well, what really helps on some long days.
Just don't stress you out about it, come and enjoy your training, ask ask and ask, don't be afraid to be wrong as @Anders99 said.

Hey guys! Thank you very much for your very helpful insight into the company and the beginning weeks! Looking forward to meeting you all as my future collegues :D:D
 
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