Merseyrail Guard

[herdster]

Hi,

I have applied for a guard position with merseyrail and although hours and pay are quoted not sure what the shift pattern would be . Also do the guards just work the one route or do they move around a bit ? Thanks in advance for any replies.

Herdster

 

[First class]

Firstly, these jobs aren't available until late on in 2010. You are making more of a speculative application.

Further information
We are currently recruiting for positions to become available during the course of this year.

The internal vacancy list is yet to be released, so as usual, existing staff get the advantage. Any jobs remaining are then allocated to the public.

If you were successful, you would probably be allocated Birkenhead Central TCD which only does Wirral routes, so New Brighton, West Kirby, Chester and Ellesmere Port.

Shifts vary, but there is a link that starts at 3am and ones that finish as late as 2am.

You won't have any revenue responsibility, but you will be required to walk through the train occasional for 'customer service duties', which may involve looking at tickets, but there's nowt much you can do if they haven't got one other than offer words of advice.

Pay is (aprox) £15k whilst training and £22k after passing out. External are subject to a typical 6 month probation period.

Traction is Electric Multiple Units Class 507 and Class 508, (around 30 years old).

Trains are stabled at Birkenhead North and Kirkdale (larger). You won't go on the Northern Line though if allocated Birkenhead. Nothing to stop you passing your probation and then putting in a transfer request/swap for Kirkdale.

You can also be required to do 'shunter' duties, solely at the depot. This may be if the usual shunter books sick etc... You're training will focus a lot on the Shunting module.

 

[herdster]

Thanks for the quick reply first class. I presume you are a driver with Merseyrail judging by your location and in depth knowledge of the job. So what you are saying is don't expect a job any time soon and that internals get first shot anyway. As for getting to be a driver for merseyrail does the same thing apply i.e internals get first dabs , which would make sense as I've never seen Merseyrail advertise for drivers. Also the shunting bit is interesting . makes the job a bit more interesting.

Herdster

 

[yorkie]

He's not a driver for them, he knows a lot about almost anything to do with Merseyrail though

 

[herdster]

Just thought , there's a thread on this forum about extra trains for merseyrail from May, if this is true they may need extra bods sooner rather than later

Herdster

 

[First class]

As Yorkie said, I'm not a driver, but I do work for them.

I imagine that they have placed this advert so that if they do decide/can run the extra Chester timetable, they can easily find staff. Saying that though, 3 months is a bit of a short turn around period for Merseyrail. Selection, Medicals, Training and Passing Out would probably go beyond the May start date. It took nearly 3 months alone for me to be asked to attend an assessment day for my role.

Regardless, it is actually looking unlikely that the improved Chester timetable will commence in May anyway due to other reasons, so they may just fill the odd couple of vacancies that exist in the meantime.

As for the driving side- you're looking at around a 5-10 year wait before you would go from guard to driver. The competition is fierce and usually favours the guards who have a lot more experience, although there are may different career paths you could take.

Typical promotion roles from Guard to:

1) Leader Guard (suppose to mentor, train and advise normal guards)
2) Resource Controller (rostering, equipment, sickness, competency etc)
3) Guards Standards Manager (recruitment, assessing, training, discipline etc)
4) Relief Train Driver (a mix of both guard and driver, originally a strikebreaker role I think- mainly guard, but with maybe 1-2 days guaranteed driving)
5) Train Driver (pretty obvious, but you're trained for both Northern and Wirral)

You'll never find train driving roles advertised externally, the majority of guards know:

1) That's were the money is
2) It's a good career move
3) They can retire in that role comfortably

So as soon as it hits the Internal Vacancy list, someone internal is bound to get it.


Full Drivers earn aprox £36k.


The shunting is actually fairly straightforward, and the only thing you have to do really is give hand signals to the driver. You're just moving stock around the depot.


So, yeah, don't expect a job any time soon, but remain positive. Merseyrail now know you're interested. Internal candidates will get priority, but that's not to say they will meet the standard required, and external people then get their chance to shine.

 

[herdster]

Thanks first class , if you don't mind me asking what do you do for Merseyrail and how long have you been with them?
Another thought i had was although it seems a short turnaround to recruit , if you notice the vacancy was only up for about a week which i think is quite a short time compared to most vacancies so maybe they are looking for a quick turnaround ,or then again maybe I am just clutching at straws , all will become evident in due time.

Herdster

 

[ChrisTheRef]

First Class is supreme leader of the cretins at Liverpool Central

 

[RMTGuard]

pm for details

 

[herdster]

Hi,

This might be a bit premature but I was wondering if anyone else on this forum has applied to Merseyrail for this job and if so have you heard anything.
I was thinking of ringing them but don't want to hassle them as I'm sure they've had hundreds of applicants.

Herdster

 

[91101]

4) Relief Train Driver (a mix of both guard and driver, originally a strikebreaker role I think- mainly guard, but with maybe 1-2 days guaranteed driving)

Seriously?! I have never heard of any TOC having such a role, how the hell did they manage to get that one through ASLEF?

 

[The 158 Man]

Seriously?! I have never heard of any TOC having such a role, how the hell did they manage to get that one through ASLEF?

Providing the pay was between a Driver's / Guard's amount, I think that would be a great role. At least it would be varied and you wouldn't get bored doing the same job every day!

 

[First class]

This job has been advertised internally with a closing date of 27/2/10 so may you guys may hear something soon if you've applied.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Providing the pay was between a Driver's / Guard's amount, I think that would be a great role. At least it would be varied and you wouldn't get bored doing the same job every day!

You are paid drivers rate when you do the driving, guards rate on the days you do the guarding.

You're guaranteed so may days each week of driving.

 

[BloominMan]

I also work for Merseyrail and have applied for this Guard position. Yes, First Class is correct and it does close internally on the 27th of Feb.

From the application it does say you will be based in one main station - Southport/Birkenhead/Kirkdale.

 

[RMTGuard]

I also work for Merseyrail and have applied for this Guard position. Yes, First Class is correct and it does close internally on the 27th of Feb.

From the application it does say you will be based in one main station - Southport/Birkenhead/Kirkdale.

Hello.


The external applicants have been sifted and the letters for them to attend the dots/maths/english test will be sent out this week or were sent out on friday.

 

[mezdup]

I applied for the Guard position externally via totaljobs.com over a months ago and this week I have an assessment consisting of maths, concentration and verbal/written exam to see if I am successful to go to the next stage which then will we followed with a medical next Monday 29th, should I pass the second part of the assessment stage.

Anyone else attending?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
How long is the training exactly please; 6 - 12 weeks?

Cheers.

 

[herdster]

Really , I called them a couple of weeks ago and was told i'd passed the initial paper sift but i haven't heard anything since . Will see if i get anything in the post tomorrow otherwise i'll follow it up again.

 

[First class]

I applied for the Guard position externally via totaljobs.com over a months ago and this week I have an assessment consisting of maths, concentration and verbal/written exam to see if I am successful to go to the next stage which then will we followed with a medical next Monday 29th, should I pass the second part of the assessment stage.

Anyone else attending?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
How long is the training exactly please; 6 - 12 weeks?

Cheers.

Have you been invited for an assessment day on Friday? If so, it is apparently starting at 9am and finishing at 6pm?

Most applicants I'm aware of are being invited to "an assessment day" on Friday that involves role play, assessments, interviews and team building exercises, followed by a medical on the 29th if successful.

The assessment day will have all internal and external candidates present.

 

[mezdup]

I believe there is also an assessment on Wednesday i.e. today consisting of 3 opc assessments, maths, concentration and written verbal with a follow up assessment. I am unsure what that assessment shall consist off. Perhaps role play, team exercises?

Initially I had thought that perhaps the follow up session would have been a more structured interview?

Cheers for the warning Dude!
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Find out anything Herdster? Did you ring them? I am through to Friday's selection at the Liner 1 - 5pm.

 

[herdster]

Hi ,

Yes . I called them yesterday and they have two assesment days . The next one in a couple of weeks so i will be on that one.

 

[mezdup]

Good, good good good!

Do you feel more peace of mind now?



I am sure you will walk it Kiddo... get practising word searches and time yourself <----helpful hint as I ain't grassing you any content of tests.

 

[RMTGuard]

I will be there tomorrow for the afternoon assessments

Good Luck

 

[mezdup]

How did ya find it Kiddo?

 

[mezdup]

After Yesterday's assessment, We, The Elite Mersey Rail Guards, upon completion of our training promise to:

Increase the number of correspondence of Praise from our Customers

Ensure that we, yet again, wipe the floor with the rest of the train companies in the UK ( and the rest ), in terms of Customer Satisfaction, train times, [/B]accountability, success and profit increase not in terms of just fiscal, but in terms of profiting ourselves in a positive focus in terms of the environment and local business solutions

That although many of us can speak various languages, inclusive of Scouse, that we shall educate ourselves, out of work hours, with another or several other languages as well as dedication to our Customers, Mersey Rail and ourselves to continuous professional development within a range of sectors

To adhere to policies and procedures incorporating Customer opinions and ideas to drive our policies and procedures forward, embracing change within an organisational, business and customer focused setting

To adopt Herdster into our Forward Thinking Team as he will not be in attendance until the next selection day

Never to judge and to take time for our Customers should a situation arise

As a Team of Individuals we shall share ideas and respect one anothers opinion, should they differ from ours as we all have different experiences and in some cases agree to disagree and to take on board constructive criticism

Confidentiality within our team and for Customers in relation to situations will be tight knit, referring or taking action when appropriate

Ensure that Safety is always paramount

To become Elite is to learn from our Mersey Rail Mentors, those being experienced and wise as those above us are the Mentor Elite Brigade, being replaced with us new Elite Guards along with our existing internal customers as they themselves will be crucial to our Actualisation

....

Besides, no1 can touch our top of the range professional new uniforms!!!

Heh Heh!

Be warned o other Rail Companies We shall be a Raging Success

 

[Skip 10]

After Yesterday's assessment, We, The Elite Mersey Rail Guards, upon completion of our training promise to:

Increase the number of correspondence of Praise from our Customers

Ensure that we, yet again, wipe the floor with the rest of the train companies in the UK ( and the rest ), in terms of Customer Satisfaction,

Erm sorry to burst the bubble, try the bit of line that takes you to the land of 98% customer satisfaction. Come for a ride and we will be more than happy to show you how we do it

 

[royaloak]

Skip 10, I wouldnt waste your energy answering his posts, if you look at his other posts he REALLY doesnt have a clue, or is a troll!