London Midland Trainee Driver

[37401]

Never seen a Trainee driver job advertised before but if you want the job here it is just found it so good luck if you apply (please give me cab rides if you get it )

https://www.londonmidlandcareers.co.../jobdetail/319.aspx/Jobs/Trainee Train Driver

 

[87015]

"We currently have no vacancies for Trainee Train Drivers"

Southern however do have plenty, and its really not that rare for them to be advertised.

 

[dan_156]

Isn't a bit odd that some companies require you to be 21 on the commence of training and others 20?

 

[Mojo]

"We currently have no vacancies for Trainee Train Drivers"

Exactly. This has been on the website for ages.

Did the OP actually read the page?

 

[driver9000]

Isn't a bit odd that some companies require you to be 21 on the commence of training and others 20?

You have to be 21 when you pass out as a driver though.

 

[dan_156]

You have to be 21 when you pass out as a driver though.

I wonder if they get any 20/21 year olds on the courses, I would have thought it would mostly be 25+.

 

[driver9000]

its rare but Ive known it happen. I was 23 when I got my keys.

 

[dan_156]

You would have thought if that was the case they would ask for a higher age limit on the job description, if very few under 25s get the placements.

 

[Mojo]

I would have thought the real reason for lack of successful applicants under 25 is down to high competition for the positions and that (generally speaking) the best applicants (ie: those with more experience) are over 25.

 

[dan_156]

I would have thought the real reason for lack of successful applicants under 25 is down to high competition for the positions and that (generally speaking) the best applicants (ie: those with more experience) are over 25.

As a TOC I would have also thought they would want to get the most value out of their applicants judging by the costs of training, so under 25s for them would be ideal. But as you say if they are just looking experience as the crucial factor it is going to favour the over 25s.

 

[slick]

"We currently have no vacancies for Trainee Train Drivers"

Southern however do have plenty, and its really not that rare for them to be advertised.

True. Bletchley have had a handful of new internals, conductors etc that are currently doing their front end turns, These were from an internal driver vacancy position posted in november of last year, although i cant speak for northampton.

 

[O L Leigh]

As a TOC I would have also thought they would want to get the most value out of their applicants judging by the costs of training, so under 25s for them would be ideal. But as you say if they are just looking experience as the crucial factor it is going to favour the over 25s.

In truth there's not much difference in value for money by taking on over 25's compared to under 25's. I've known trainee drivers in their 50's, so clearly value for money isn't such an enormous concern.

However, what the TOC has to be careful of is getting people who can cope with the demands of the job, have the responsibility to be in charge of a train full of people and the confidence to deal with whatever the job throws at you. It's not to say that people under 25 can't do that, but if you're over that age you're more likely to be able to demonstrate that level of maturity and have life experiences to back up the qualities that the TOC is looking for.

Besides, it skews the numbers. Just by the typical spread of ages of applicants, of course there are likely to be more successful candidates aged 25 and over than under 25. You don't need to be rocket scientist to work that one out.

O L Leigh

 

[dan_156]

However, what the TOC has to be careful of is getting people who can cope with the demands of the job, have the responsibility to be in charge of a train full of people and the confidence to deal with whatever the job throws at you. It's not to say that people under 25 can't do that, but if you're over that age you're more likely to be able to demonstrate that level of maturity and have life experiences to back up the qualities that the TOC is looking for.

Besides, it skews the numbers. Just by the typical spread of ages of applicants, of course there are likely to be more successful candidates aged 25 and over than under 25. You don't need to be rocket scientist to work that one out.

Good points, I just thought with the "trainee" part the onus would be on the younger candidate who could potentially be with the company for a long time. There is the age thing I guess, the older you are the more experience the TOC knows you already have.

I'd be very interested to know how many drivers out there who are under 25? I'm guessing not very many.

 

[westcoaster]

im under 25,

in my group of trainee's there were 3-4 under 25's.

 

[dan_156]

im under 25,

in my group of trainee's there were 3-4 under 25's.

I was thinking that there must be some under 25s when they advertise a 20-21 minimum.

Hopeful to me if any trainee drivers jobs come up in the next year.

 

[ungreat]

im under 25,

in my group of trainee's there were 3-4 under 25's.

I was registered under automatic promotion as a driver when I was 20 and 8 months old under BR conditions..I passed out when I was 21 and 6 months old,and for a short time was BR's youngest train driver.

Automatic promotion applied if you were a secondman,you were either promoted at your depot or applied for other vacancies and got them..no aptitude test or anything...mind you,you had to have 500 front end turns or 5 years experience before that happened

 

[robby p]

I'm 21 and am just about to start my 225 hours with a minder, also on our course is another 21 yer old. I think if you are mature enough you are fine, plus it's handy because written tests don't seem to phase you that much as you sat so many of them a few years back in school. It's weird to think though I could be driving a train for the next 44 years.

 

[Waverley125]

I'd like to do train driving, but possibly as a later career move. I have plans for my main career up till 55, but honestly cannot see myself working as a civil engineer for 45 years till retirement. Much prefer to move down (once financially secure) into the railways, as there's no way i could sit about and do nothing once i get old.