Merseyrail - Train Manager (05/10/23)

[Fran1878]

https://apply.abellio.com/vacancies/10032/train_manager_merseyrail/

I recall someone saying the only route to becoming a driver with Merseyrail is through being a Guard first.

I was wondering if anyone could confirm whether Train Manager is Merseyrails title for that, or whether this is a separate role. Thanks.

 

[HWI_2001]

https://apply.abellio.com/vacancies/10032/train_manager_merseyrail/

I recall someone saying the only route to becoming a driver with Merseyrail is through being a Guard first.

I was wondering if anyone could confirm whether Train Manager is Merseyrails title for that, or whether this is a separate role. Thanks.

The RMT agreed a change in the job title a few years back so my understanding is that train manager is the new title.

https://www.rmt.org.uk/news/publications/role-and-responsibility-of-the-guard-merseyrail/role-responsibility-of-the-guard-merseyrail-agreement-in-principle.pdf

However, if you are going for this, a word of warning. Merseyrail much prefer to recruit internally, and most the people at the assessment days will be internal applicants who already have a good relationship with the interviewers, making it quite hard for external applicants. If you’re close enough TPE are recruiting at Manchester.

 

[Pip3000]

I had an interview with merseyrail, I was initially thought it would be a very much who you know environment whether you got a chance but they were all really nice and I did pass the interview. I failed the final tests for guard so yes there are alot of internal applicants but they also gave alot of other people an opportunity at interview. I even applied for a job there a few months ago, they stopped recruitment on it but offered me an interview for another role so personally I have found the merseyrail process really well done compared to some other TOCs but I do believe for driver you need to already be in the company, they don't recruit external.

 

[L401CJF]

I sat the Merseyrail Guards interview day a while ago. One of my favourite interview days. It was different to all the other TOCs, you got chance to speak to managers while waiting your turn for the "rapid fire interview" - which in itself was only 15 minutes or something. The group assessment was quite laid back and almost fun, the guards manager assessing us in pairs for the group task was also very chilled out.

I passed the interview/group exercise day but withdrew from the process before the psychometric tests as I was offered a guards role with another company. This was when the guards were on 3 month rolling contracts with no guarantee of a job once the 777s came (of course they're permanent now) so it was a no brainer to go for the most secure option!

There were a couple of internal applicants at the interview day but most were people off the street. A colleague of mine applied at the same time and he's a guard there now, don't think anybody on his course were internals either.

As said above, they only recruit drivers from guards and not external. Good luck!

 

[voyagerdude220]

I attended a Merseyrail Train Manager interview last Thursday afternoon at the Liverpool Novotel.

It all seemed to go smoothly in my opinion, but I didn't pass. I've asked for feedback.

It started off with a group exercise. (decide which 10 items from a list of 20 you should keep, as you're stranded on a desert Island) All six of us in the group seemed to get on very well with each other.

Then it was a mini exam, consisting a mixture of maths, English and train stuff (reading timetables and calculating journey times etc.)

Then finally I had an interview. The two ladies who interviewed me seemed very friendly. I didn't hesitate and was very happy with the answers I gave.

There seemed to be quite alot of hanging around. I'd estimate we started the process at around 13:15, despite being told to arrive promptly by 13:00. Then another 20 minute wait after we finished the group exercise and another wait for the interview.

 

[185]

It started off with a group exercise. (decide which 10 items from a list of 20 you should keep, as you're stranded on a desert Island) All six of us in the group seemed to get on very well with each other.

Then it was a mini exam, consisting a mixture of maths, English and train stuff (reading timetables and calculating journey times etc.)

Then finally I had an interview. The two ladies who interviewed me seemed very friendly. I didn't hesitate and was very happy with the answers I gave.

There seemed to be quite alot of hanging around. I'd estimate we started the process at around 13:15, despite being told to arrive promptly by 13:00. Then another 20 minute wait after we finished the group exercise and another wait for the interview.

Don't be put down by Merseyrail. Try other TOCs too.

Their group exercise nonsense, irrelevant to the job, is not in most TOC Conductor recruitment processes.

 

[GalaxyDog]

It would seem TfW have reintroduced the "group exercise" and the assessment day to their regime.