Ffcsteve14
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And so an email arrives
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Trainee Train Driver - Virgin Trains East Coast
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Maybe we'll all just get another email saying they'll let us know by the end of March.
As predicted.^^^^
Very disappointing.
choochoochoo
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Wow ? This is for a course start date ?
At this rate it might've been faster to be a trainee at another TOC and move to VTEC after you've qualified and got a couple of years experience !!
Yes but it may be even longer as that’s just the timescale to inform us of a date. The day is likely to be even longer away
choochoochoo
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I'm sorry you're in such a frustrating position. Any further clarification on the delay ?
Not enough instructors to get the next wave of trainees started was the reason stated.
Latetotheparty
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I've been following this since the assessment days and I've finally decided to join the group!
Like everyone on here I am desperate to start my new career but this experience would've been even more excruciating if it wasn't for this chat log.
Having said that, is there anyone else on here who hasn't received an email today?
Like everyone on here I am desperate to start my new career but this experience would've been even more excruciating if it wasn't for this chat log.
Having said that, is there anyone else on here who hasn't received an email today?
Like most of you, I'm majorly gutted at the news we've received today. But hey ho just got to chin up, move on and wish the next 6 months away. I just hope there is an actual job at the end of this after waiting for so long and the whole thing doesn't get pulled. Interestingly there's 43 of us left waiting for a start date...more than I thought that would be left waiting to start.
Agree with this. Only thing we can do is to stay positive. 43 is more than half of the trainees so it's a little surprising the number is so high still. My worst fear is that it'll all get pulled too. I have been waiting for the day I give my resignation and start my new career! I guess it's gonna have to wait a little longer.
It does surprise me also there is more than half of us waiting. Makes me wonder whether so many of us were needed in the first place, and like you say my fear is that it is pulled and or we are put on standby. However all the emails have consistently said they are committed to taking us on so let’s hope.
After the initial disappointment not feeling to bad now. I always had in my mind the next courses would be around March and I guess there is still time for that to happen
Like most of you I fear that actually there is still chance to pull us, whether that is down to budgetary constraints or the likes. So really hoping that there is a job there and it become reality.
However in terms of the trainees going through, I thought initially they wanted 70 odd but that figure was extended due to retirements etc, so there could be more than half in training.
Finally, Don’t quote me on the following, however, my partner was speaking to virgin staff on the east coast last week and they commented that Azuma had been delayed next yr, so that could compound the matter of the delay. Whether that is actual or heresay I could not say.
However in terms of the trainees going through, I thought initially they wanted 70 odd but that figure was extended due to retirements etc, so there could be more than half in training.
Finally, Don’t quote me on the following, however, my partner was speaking to virgin staff on the east coast last week and they commented that Azuma had been delayed next yr, so that could compound the matter of the delay. Whether that is actual or heresay I could not say.
Yeah I do seem to remember them saying on my group assessment day that they were looking for more than the 78 drivers initially anticipated. I guess it's a monumental challenge having to train so many new drivers, given the length of time it takes and also how small the groups are. They haven't recruited externally for 20-30 years so it's probably took them by surprise as well.
I'm sure the Azumas were due to be out in service around midway through 2018 but this has been pushed back to December 2018 from what I've heard. Even then I'd imagine it'll be a phased introduction. I still imagine our initial rolling stock/training will be on the current class 91s or HSTs.
.Realistically they have known for a year they would need trainers for 78 people so to be short of trainers seems strange and perhaps there is more to it
If the Azuma has been delayed that is likely the reason why training courses have been delayed because otherwise you’d have 78 people qualified and being paid yet no trains for them to drive. Does seem logical. I guess all will be revealed if they do announce the azuma delay publically
choochoochoo
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That makes sense. But rule number one on the railway is things are rarely logical !
Just like the new VTEC uniform doesn't make sense......looks like recycled LU uniform !!
Well I just got an email saying they can't squeeze any more training dates in yet for me and 42 others. I'll have to wait up 6 months now to find out when I'm gonna start. I'm gutted. However they say they're absolutely committed to me joining the Virgin family so I suppose this is some consolation. Has everyone had the same?
Yes. Although most people on here seemed to get this email yesterday.
choochoochoo
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But joining the Virgin Family as what ? Is there a possibility they could offer you other roles until slots become available on Driver Training ?
Yes mate I got the email at 17:33 yesterday but havent had chance before now to get on here to see how were all doing. I feel much the same as everyone else. Im dying to hand my notice in and this news was a blow. Has anyone contacted the talent team for clarification?
choochoochoo
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I'm not sure hopefully a driver...some day...
Just quoting... I suppose we are the talent team for getting so far...Love how you're already getting all 'Virgin' and calling HR a Talent Team
WCMLaddict
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Guys, don’t want rain on your parade but you do realise that it’s extremely unlikely you all will get the jobs.
Railway recruitment always runs on bloated numbers. If say there’s 10 vacancies left, they will keep 15-20 candidates in the loop in case people’s circumstances change or for other reasons preferred candidates can’t take up the positions.
Railway recruitment always runs on bloated numbers. If say there’s 10 vacancies left, they will keep 15-20 candidates in the loop in case people’s circumstances change or for other reasons preferred candidates can’t take up the positions.
That may well be the case but every person still ‘in the loop’ as you put it has been offered an actual position - there are no ‘vacancies’ left in a sense as they have been pencilled in with successful applicants. If people’s circumstances change that’s fair enough and I’m sure that will happen to some of the people who are waiting. I can’t see VTEC turning round a year down the line and ditching a number of people who they have offered confirmed positions to (subject to medicals etc of course). This isn’t a talent pool, that much has been made clear.
WCMLaddict
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You’ve not been offered a job unless you have a contract and a start date. That’s the bottom line.
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