I'd really welcome some informed advice especially from any SWT employees.
I applied (May 16) and passed assessments and interview (August) for a Commercial guard position at a depot 15 minutes away from me. I am SO pleased!
I've been told by SWT that earliest course start for this will be January 2017. But they've offered me an alternative to start sooner (October) as a non-commercial guard, but at a depot 45 minutes away.
Being really eager to get started I am very tempted just to take the guard role, but am concerned once I sign the contract that I'll get stuck there and that it will take longer to get back to the depot/ job i applied for than if I just wait until the January course? I'm not sure why they would get me all trained up on one set of routes, and then let me move to my original choice where I'd have to learn another set of routes, without at least doing 6 months or so in one place. I feel they might just leave me there and other later applicants may leapfrog over me for the job I originally applied for.
Also a 45 minute drive either side of a shift adds extra exhaustion potential/plus possible traffic issues.
I can see there are advantages to just accepting what has been offered now, after all, what if it gets to January and they cancel the course, or freeze recruitment in anticipation of franchise change. Would it be better to just get into the company with whatever is offered, than hang around waiting for 4 months?
Also it might be easier to learn and practice 'guard' role, for a while before learning tickets separately.
Also wondering how extra training for commercial guard would fit in? Would I be expected to do this while also working as a guard, or would I get the weeks off to go back to the classroom? Shift work fatigue could have an impact on ability to learn, if trying to do both at the same time.
Anyone else had this dilemma? I just can't decide whether to wait for what I applied for or just go for what has been offered?
Experience or advice .........gratefully recieved......
I applied (May 16) and passed assessments and interview (August) for a Commercial guard position at a depot 15 minutes away from me. I am SO pleased!
I've been told by SWT that earliest course start for this will be January 2017. But they've offered me an alternative to start sooner (October) as a non-commercial guard, but at a depot 45 minutes away.
Being really eager to get started I am very tempted just to take the guard role, but am concerned once I sign the contract that I'll get stuck there and that it will take longer to get back to the depot/ job i applied for than if I just wait until the January course? I'm not sure why they would get me all trained up on one set of routes, and then let me move to my original choice where I'd have to learn another set of routes, without at least doing 6 months or so in one place. I feel they might just leave me there and other later applicants may leapfrog over me for the job I originally applied for.
Also a 45 minute drive either side of a shift adds extra exhaustion potential/plus possible traffic issues.
I can see there are advantages to just accepting what has been offered now, after all, what if it gets to January and they cancel the course, or freeze recruitment in anticipation of franchise change. Would it be better to just get into the company with whatever is offered, than hang around waiting for 4 months?
Also it might be easier to learn and practice 'guard' role, for a while before learning tickets separately.
Also wondering how extra training for commercial guard would fit in? Would I be expected to do this while also working as a guard, or would I get the weeks off to go back to the classroom? Shift work fatigue could have an impact on ability to learn, if trying to do both at the same time.
Anyone else had this dilemma? I just can't decide whether to wait for what I applied for or just go for what has been offered?
Experience or advice .........gratefully recieved......