Metrolink Drivers

[Ryan_evans2]

The training hours to start with are 0800-1600 Monday - Friday. First week you'll do the Rules and Regulations stuff. Second week you move onto vehicle knowledge and then it gets easier from there on in. We did a week of lates when we were doing out of service driving but to be honest they were a trial so not sure whether you will have to do the same.

The first 7 weeks should be 0800-1600 Monday to Friday with Weeks 5-7 being out of service and in service driving. Week 8 is where you head out in service with your minder. I'm currently on Week 10 as of tomorrow.

If you need any help feel free to send me a DM.

Thanks for all your help. The job for life aspect is what made me want to do it so much, sick of jumping from job to job in finance. I will DM you if I need anything thanks.

 

[garryyy]

Cheers Ryan
You said scaat caught people out
I am practicing it and I am a little bit worried. I takes me about3 mins for a page...
Can you please offer more details about Scaat
How many pages in what time
Cheers

 

[BOULDER]

Cheers Ryan
You said scaat caught people out
I am practicing it and I am a little bit worried. I takes me about3 mins for a page...
Can you please offer more details about Scaat
How many pages in what time
Cheers

Scaat is 9 pages with 1 minute per page I believe and you have to do as many lines as you can but accurately.
Did you apply back in December garryyy?

 

[garryyy]

Yes mate, I've applied in December.
How far down on the page have you've gone?
Can you please tell me what kind of questions are at the interview. Can you give few examples

 

[BOULDER]

I applied in December but not heard anything so don't know about interview questions sorry. From what I have read on here some have got through with 1/3 to 1/2 page so section 1 around 10 lines and section 2 and 3 around 7, 8 lines but the pass score is unknown. Did they just ring you out of the blue or do they email first?

 

[garryyy]

I applied in December but not heard anything so don't know about interview questions sorry. From what I have read on here some have got through with 1/3 to 1/2 page so section 1 around 10 lines and section 2 and 3 around 7, 8 lines but the pass score is unknown. Did they just ring you out of the blue or do they email first?

They've called me Thursday to ask me if I have booked any holiday for the next 3 months and if I can attend Tuesday(tomorrow) on the assessment day
After this they've make another selection and finally email me the invitation Friday..

 

[Kezbian1804]

Cheers Ryan
You said scaat caught people out
I am practicing it and I am a little bit worried. I takes me about3 mins for a page...
Can you please offer more details about Scaat
How many pages in what time
Cheers

All I can say about the SCAAT is not to be too overwhelmed with the process. First and foremost it is about listening to the instructions. Secondly it's about accuracy. I'd say on average I completed between a 1/3 to a 1/2 on each grid.

Interview wise, I can't remember most of the questions but imagine what you'd get in most interviews and you'll be good. I don't think that there is one particular way of preparing for the assessment, I did zero preparation for it but just went and was myself.

 

[Kezbian1804]

Oh and one last thing. Really focus on the Simulator. Again, listen to the instructor. You'll be surprised how many people fail at this stage because they didn't listen/over speed/failed to stop at a signal or station. I'm hearing a lot of applicants have been failing at this stage.

 

[garryyy]

Oh and one last thing. Really focus on the Simulator. Again, listen to the instructor. You'll be surprised how many people fail at this stage because they didn't listen/over speed/failed to stop at a signal or station. I'm hearing a lot of applicants have been failing at this stage.

Really... you can fail on simulator?
But you don't know how it's work..how is breaking...your not used with it
I don't fancy video games

 

[Ryan_evans2]

Really... you can fail on simulator?
But you don't know how it's work..how is breaking...your not used with it
I don't fancy video games

The simulator is relatively straight forward its just push forward to go and pull back to break. If you listen to the instructions it’s easy there was no one on my assessment day that failed at that stage.

 

[Shrimper]

They aren't looking for you to be perfect - they are looking to see how you respond to briefings/instruction, whether you take things in and your attitude. They aren't going to throw the complex signalling or route learning scenarios at you but will be looking to see how you react. For example, if you are told a stop signal is ahead did you attempt to control the speed for a smooth stop or did you go barrelling to the signal and slam the brakes on at the last second.

The simulator is not complex and you will be told how to use it. When I assessed for Metrolink the sim was quite new so we still got the chance to drive a tram for the assessment (on depot only!) which was much the same - the instructor was looking at what I was taking in. For example on my first trip I was shown how to program the destination display; when we changed ends to go back I was asked if I could change it. I was also asked to pretend various landmarks or parts of the depot furniture were signals or platforms and asked to approach them appropriately and stop. Again, perfection wasn't expected but having being briefed on basic rules and how to operate the basic functions we were expected to retain some of this information. No doubt for the instructors it is also a chance to gauge whether you are the right kind of person for the job. I suspect (no longer working at Metrolink) that tram usage is now so high they probably can't spare a tram a day so the sim now takes the same role.

 

[garryyy]

there are only few hours felt..tomorow at 07:00 starts the assessment day
Scatt seems the hardest test. actualy is not hard, but 9 pages is pushing you to the limit and you are going to lose your concentrations
then is the competency based interview.. i hate these kind of questions
Ryan, is the writing test still the same ..to describe in less than 50 words your way to depot?

 

[Smithy1570]

Well done all, see you out there

Hello mate. I’ve just done my assessment day with another 11 lads and we all failed the dials test. I literally cannot get my head round it. I was just wondering if you could make it plain and simple for me. Cheers

 

[BOULDER]

Did you all get to the Scaat test or was that the next one.

 

[Smithy1570]

Did you all get to the Scaat test or was that the next one.

That would of been the next one. Just don’t get it at all and couldn’t practice the dials online as there wasn’t one :/. Absolutely gutted I failed 1st job I’ve beeb for that I haven’t got.

 

[garryyy]

we ll meet all in 6 months there again

 

[Smithy1570]

we ll meet all in 6 months there again

Were u on that today Gary?

 

[garryyy]

yes i've been. the idiot with nothing on the paper

 

[Smithy1570]

Good luck to everyone who applies

I started beginning of January

Best job I've ever had..apart from adjusting to shift work!

Hello pal. I don’t suppose you know anywhere i can practice dials and scaat tests do you? I failed the dials today as had no warning of this or the scaat so went in cold. Want to re apply in 6 months as with a bit of practice I know I could smash it.

Thanks

 

[Smithy1570]

yes i've been. the idiot with nothing on the paper

Where do u practice scaat tests

 

[Kirsty93]

Hey All,

I applied for an LRV job yesterday through indeed, I was just wondering what was the average time on hearing back.

Cheers

 

[BOULDER]

Hey All,

I applied for an LRV job yesterday through indeed, I was just wondering what was the average time on hearing back.

Cheers

Some have heard back in a week and others including myself have waited 5 months+ and heard nothing as it's an ongoing recruitment process. Application is usually through KAM website so thanks for the info.

 

[Ryan_evans2]

Hey All,

I applied for an LRV job yesterday through indeed, I was just wondering what was the average time on hearing back.

Cheers

Hi Kirsty.
I applied in December through the website and didn’t hear anything back until March but some people on my assessment day was saying they heard back within a few weeks so just luck of the draw I think.

 

[Kirsty93]

Hi Kirsty.
I applied in December through the website and didn’t hear anything back until March but some people on my assessment day was saying they heard back within a few weeks so just luck of the draw I think.

Thanks Ryan, I’ll keep my eyes open

 

[Kezbian1804]

Thanks Ryan, I’ll keep my eyes open

I applied on a Saturday and was offered the assessment day within a week. If you've applied through indeed it's possible that HR have your details stored on file and may contact you as and when we are doing a new recruitment drive. Seemingly it looks like we are after more drivers so keep the faith.

 

[Kirsty93]

I applied on a Saturday and was offered the assessment day within a week. If you've applied through indeed it's possible that HR have your details stored on file and may contact you as and when we are doing a new recruitment drive. Seemingly it looks like we are after more drivers so keep the faith.

This was the email reply I got so fingers crossed, thank you for your feedback

 

[Kezbian1804]

View attachment 46199
This was the email reply I got so fingers crossed, thank you for your feedback

Yeah that's more or less what I got. Let us know how it progresses

 

[Ryan_evans2]

Hi all just looking for abit of advice, I’m due to start on the 21st just wondering what the dress code is while I wait for my uniform to arrive and roughly how long this takes.

 

[Kezbian1804]

Hi Ryan, 'smart casual' is the norm, especially for the first week which will be predominantly Induction and Rules and Regulations so you won't even look at a tram in the first week.

I'd recommend getting some kind of safety footwear as you will definitely be needing it in the second week once you start with the Vehicle Familiarisation part. Trust me, I walked them ballasts for weeks in shoes and my feet killed.

In the end however you will be provided with footwear once your uniform arrives.

 

[Ryan_evans2]

Ok thanks for the advice, how long does it take for the uniform to arrive.

Did you fill the order from out and return it before you start like HR say in the letter or did you wait till you started and used the measuring stuff in the training rooms as it says on the order form.