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South Eastern Trainee Train Driver Jobs - Update

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Dangerous1981

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Hello all,

I spoke to recruitment today - they told me that they don’t think they’ll be advertising any vacancies in the next 12 months. Although 2 drivers I know have told me that they’re very short at the moment.

Does anyone have any insight?

Thanks
 
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MidlandsChap

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Tell them not to worry about it. Most people are shorter of an evening due to gravity acting on them throughout the day. When they wake up in the morning they will have gained a few inches.
 

ComUtoR

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https://www.southeasternrailwaycareers.co.uk/templates/Southeastern_Railway/job_list.aspx
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If you have already registered please ensure your personal details (i.e address, telephone number) are correct prior to applying.

Nurturing talent is very important to us. We are committed to equal opportunities in all areas of work and business. We want people to achieve their best, which will positively impact on our clients and communities in which we live and work. At Southeastern we empower people to be themselves within an inclusive and supportive environment, enabling everyone to achieve their full potential in line with their abilities and career aspirations.

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Hello all,

I spoke to recruitment today - they told me that they don’t think they’ll be advertising any vacancies in the next 12 months. Although 2 drivers I know have told me that they’re very short at the moment.

Does anyone have any insight?

Thanks

They are still processing people from the last recruitment campaign from last year - I'm still waiting for a DMI with them, so I'd imagine they will want to sort all of that out before they embark on another round of recruitment. There is still a fair amount of uncertaintly about the franchise renewal too I believe.
 

ComUtoR

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They are still processing people from the last recruitment campaign from last year - I'm still waiting for a DMI with them, so I'd imagine they will want to sort all of that out before they embark on another round of recruitment.

The process is quite fluid and vacancies come up all year round. Depot establishments are also fluid and tend to change about twice a year. Talent pools are bad and do not reflect recruitment. The talent pools also do not cover an even spread of the network. If you are waiting for a DMI for Depot A, Depot B might still be heavily recruiting so it may appear they are clearing a backlog, when effectively, they aren't. They were holding DMIs just last week at one depot (I know someone who got the job) and candidates were offered courses for January.

Recruitment is very depot specific. Metro has a high turnover and some coastal depots are still considered to be 'dead mans shoes' Watching the careers page, this forum or setting up job alerts is probably the best advice. Something will come up, just maybe not in the location you want.

There is still a fair amount of uncertaintly about the franchise renewal too I believe.

The picture is getting clearer and I have never known recruitment to stop or slow down during a franchise change. I think its one of those departments that just ticks along with the needs of the business and is less affected by change.
 
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The process is quite fluid and vacancies come up all year round. Depot establishments are also fluid and tend to change about twice a year. Talent pools are bad and do not reflect recruitment. The talent pools also do not cover an even spread of the network. If you are waiting for a DMI for Depot A, Depot B might still be heavily recruiting so it may appear they are clearing a backlog, when effectively, they aren't. They were holding DMIs just last week at one depot (I know someone who got the job) and candidates were offered courses for January.

Recruitment is very depot specific. Metro has a high turnover and some coastal depots are still considered to be 'dead mans shoes' Watching the careers page, this forum or setting up job alerts is probably the best advice. Something will come up, just maybe not in the location you want.



The picture is getting clearer and I have never known recruitment to stop or slow down during a franchise change. I think its one of those departments that just ticks along with the needs of the business and is less affected by change.


Yes I think you're right in what you say, I suppose I was thinking of talent pool recruitment for 'future vacancies' rather than specific vacancies that needed filling. I share your view of talent pools but as they seem to be a thing these days, there isn't much choice other than to apply for them.

As for the franchise renewal, I spoke to recruitment at the beginning of the year and I was told that nothing would be happening until it became clearer what was happening re the franchise (I think it was due to be announced in April). I assumed this was because they would be recruiting on the promise of improved/more services in their franchise bid as opposed to maintaining what they already were doing. I've not kept up with the latest fanchise movements so its interesting to hear you say that things are becoming clearer.
 

ComUtoR

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As for the franchise renewal, I spoke to recruitment at the beginning of the year and I was told that nothing would be happening until it became clearer what was happening re the franchise (I think it was due to be announced in April).

And yet, there has been a heavy recruitment drive this year for Victoria and Charing Cross. Existing staff need to be replaced through natural turnover. Recruitment adverts appear for minimal times as they may only need a couple of Drivers replaced rather than a sustained drive. Not forgetting that internally, courses need to be arranged and planned for the year. I know someone booked on the March course, which shows that there is a lot of forward planning and long term strategies in place. The process just ticks along and by the time depot A gets filled, they need depot B and C recruited for because someone has transferred, left, retired or sacked. My depot is a prime example. Last year we were full and had no more trainees, within a month or so we had trainees going through the school. The last of which should pass out next month. Next month, we will be short of Drivers :/

I got a PM from someone who said something similar. They spoke with HR and was told that there are no spaces, no mention of the franchise but just not required at the moment. Give it time and there will be spaces somewhere. SE has a high turnover of Drivers so I have no doubts they will recruit again.

I assumed this was because they would be recruiting on the promise of improved/more services in their franchise bid as opposed to maintaining what they already were doing.

The franchise spec will outline a minimal service requirement and the bidder must submit their plans and outline various staffing commitments/levels. I would always expect a push in recruitment as it would score highly in any bid.
 
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I've long given up trying to 2nd guess Railway HR/Recruitment and have learned to play the waiting game. I've an application in for Victoria and I've had two emails in the last couple of months thanking me for my patience and that they will be in touch soon. Its almost a year to the day that I applied!
 

Dangerous1981

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Location
Bexleyheath
They are still processing people from the last recruitment campaign from last year - I'm still waiting for a DMI with them, so I'd imagine they will want to sort all of that out before they embark on another round of recruitment. There is still a fair amount of uncertaintly about the franchise renewal too I believe.
Sorry - what is DMI?
 
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Thank you!

It has probably been done to death on here, but what questions do they ask? (I am new)

Best wishes...

Usually a mix of competency based questions like 'give me an example of a time when you've had to deal with an emergency' and more general stuff about the company and why you want to be a train driver etc. There aren't any set questions but it seems certain ones pop up repeatedly.
 
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