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Northern Maintenance Depot Driver Heaton Depot - Newcastle

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Stepa_egg

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27 Oct 2016
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http://www.northern.engageats.co.uk...l1kGpgsCkYoL/Zyk4d4AnMsIMeBTaXzo4rPBePFOriQ==

Location Heaton - Newcastle
Vacancy Description Y2017/280 Maintenance Depot Driver Heaton Depot Department - Engineering

Grade - Fleet Level 3 (Shifts)

Salary - £34,434 per annum

About the job:

As one of our Maintenance Depot Drivers you’ll be working as part of a team to deliver all vehicles that use the depot to our maintenance teams for service and repair.

To be considered for the role you should be self-motivated and work well within a team.
You will have the ability to operate in a time critical environment.
Whilst working in this role, your main duties will include:

• Movement and control of rolling stock within the depot boundaries.
• Carrying out shunting operations.
• Train preparation and stabling arrangements.
• Fuelling, water replenishment and CET duties as required.
• Playing an active role in ensuring that Depot departures are on time and production targets are met.

About you:

If you have good communication skills, both written and oral, and you can work on your own initiative, this could be the role for you.
You must be able to undertake train driving duties.

This role is safety critical.

Benefits and Rewards:

By working as part of the Northern team, you will receive the following benefits:

• Free Travel on Northern services – for you and your family.*
• 75% discount on all other Train Operating Companies leisure services.*
• Pension Scheme (where we pay one and a half times the amount you contribute!)
• A generous holiday entitlement.
• Maternity and Paternity Benefits – above the statutory minimum.
• Childcare voucher scheme.*
• Full uniform for frontline facing roles.
• High Street store discounts.
• 20% off many tourist attractions in the UK.
• Gym membership discounts.
• Employee Assistance Programme – operating 24/7, giving a wide range of advice, support and useful information for employees.
• And many more!
*Terms and conditions apply

About Northern:

Northern plays a vital role in the north of England by connecting tens of thousands of people, and more every day, to work, leisure and education. Our aim is to connect people to opportunities by providing a reliable and friendly train service. We have made significant progress since we started but there is much more that we want to achieve

Our selection Process:

Our selection processes are designed to make joining Northern as smooth as possible, it not only provides us with the information we need to decide whether you’re the right person to deliver a great service to our customers, but also to make sure we’re also the right team for you.

Your online application:

The first thing you need to do is complete our online application form. Upload your CV and you have the opportunity to tell us a little bit more about yourself.

If you need any help or support along the way, we are here to help. Once we have all your details we will be back in touch to let you know what to expect
 
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Norm88

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23 Oct 2017
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This job has reared its head again. Anyone work there and can tell us what working in the depot is like? How transferable is this role to mainline, if the opportunity arose while an internal candidate?
 

Heatonmdd

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15 May 2018
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This job has reared its head again. Anyone work there and can tell us what working in the depot is like? How transferable is this role to mainline, if the opportunity arose while an internal candidate?
I am currently working as an MDD at Heaton depot. I will say that while some staff do manage the jump to mainline, it is not as easy as many may like it to be
 

rhys37429

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3 Jun 2014
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managed to pass the first sift, and onto the online tests. anyone got any idea of the shift pattern for the depot?
 

Heatonmdd

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15 May 2018
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Yes, as you might expect, most of the work is nightshift. In fact, the roster is 70 per cent nights.
 

Heatonmdd

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15 May 2018
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Do you know anything about the driver role that was live last week? Is it just one position?
I think it is going at be two jobs available, could possibly be more. It is a good time for an external candidate to be applying, as all internal candidates did not get beyond the interview or psychometric.
 

Cyclist

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5 May 2018
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I think it is going at be two jobs available, could possibly be more. It is a good time for an external candidate to be applying, as all internal candidates did not get beyond the interview or psychometric.
Thanks for the info. I already have some enhanced passes so hopefully that counts in my favour. Waiting for a reply but they did say 2 to 4 weeks so might be a while!
 

Caad12

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Location
Gateshead
I think it is going at be two jobs available, could possibly be more. It is a good time for an external candidate to be applying, as all internal candidates did not get beyond the interview or psychometric.

I've also applied via External route. No notification so far but my application went in on the Saturday (20th) and it is between 2 and 4 weeks so I've my fingers crossed and doing research and tests.

Good luck to the others who have applied also.
 

Heatonmdd

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15 May 2018
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Thanks for the info. I already have some enhanced passes so hopefully that counts in my favour. Waiting for a reply but they did say 2 to 4 weeks so might be a while!
I really wish you the best of luck with it. I imagine with the tests already in the bag, it will probably help a great deal. Hopefully you won't have too long to wait!
 

Anth82

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14 Aug 2017
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What shift lengths are they Heatonmdd, 12 hours, 8, or a mixture amd what are the weekly working hours?
 

Heatonmdd

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15 May 2018
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The shifts are mixed. They include 12, 10, 8 and 6 hour shifts. Some weeks it will be more than 35 hours, some weeks less.
 

rhys37429

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3 Jun 2014
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The shifts are mixed. They include 12, 10, 8 and 6 hour shifts. Some weeks it will be more than 35 hours, some weeks less.
is it possible to be sent a copy of the link via private message?
our link at the moment is; 7 on, 2 off, 7 on, 5 off. overage 35 hours.
 

Anth82

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14 Aug 2017
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is it possible to be sent a copy of the link via private message?
our link at the moment is; 7 on, 2 off, 7 on, 5 off. overage 35 hours.
if you get something would I be able to get a copy as well please
 

Duns2208

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25 May 2017
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Did anyone manage to get an idea of what the shift pattern looks like for this role? Also is it that difficult to make the move across to mainline driver, I'm from outside the industry and was one of those let down on a trainee role by VTEC, I've applied for both this and the Trainee Driver role and have read some of the other posts about what a good role the MDD is, what's others view of the difference between the 2 roles. If driving is ultimately where I want to be should I not pursue this as a route into the railway or is this a good starting point?
 

Fred Dinenage

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23 Jul 2013
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Heaton MDD isn’t a good choice if you have aspirations to be a mainline driver, based on how few have made the transition in the last 10-15 years.
 

heedfan

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4 Oct 2017
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Duns2208, I think it would be unwise of you to turn down a role like this because you are holding out for a mainline role...you know from personal experience how tricky a mainline role is to nail down. Progressing within Northern may well be difficult from Heaton but I am sure you would be looked upon favorably for other mainline roles in the future compared to another candidate with no experience of the industry. Just my opinion of course and it depends on your current job satisfaction etc, but if you are still trying for a mainline role in five years time, would you look back and regret not going for this role? I certainly would.
 

Duns2208

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25 May 2017
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Heaton MDD isn’t a good choice if you have aspirations to be a mainline driver, based on how few have made the transition in the last 10-15 years.
Do you know why so few, is it lack of opportunity in the depot or is it the role itself just doesn’t lend itself to becoming a mainline driver. Are the two roles just so different. I’ve seen some great posts on here about how varied the depot driver role is, the only negative I’ve seen is the lack of progression.
 

Duns2208

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Duns2208, I think it would be unwise of you to turn down a role like this because you are holding out for a mainline role...you know from personal experience how tricky a mainline role is to nail down. Progressing within Northern may well be difficult from Heaton but I am sure you would be looked upon favorably for other mainline roles in the future compared to another candidate with no experience of the industry. Just my opinion of course and it depends on your current job satisfaction etc, but if you are still trying for a mainline role in five years time, would you look back and regret not going for this role? I certainly would.
Those are pretty much my thoughts, to be honest after the whole VTEC episode feel really fortunate at the moment that some other opportunities have come up so quickly to apply for just wondered what others thought.
Congratulations on getting sorted yourself by the way, really pleased for you after all that time we waited.
 

heedfan

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4 Oct 2017
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Those are pretty much my thoughts, to be honest after the whole VTEC episode feel really fortunate at the moment that some other opportunities have come up so quickly to apply for just wondered what others thought.
Congratulations on getting sorted yourself by the way, really pleased for you after all that time we waited.

Thanks, appreciate that. I was due to go for assessment for this role but have come off it as I’ve accepted elsewhere. My advice would be to go for this and take it if you’re fortunate enough to get the offer at the end. Feels great now that I’ve finally secured a role, hope you manage to get something sorted that suits you.
 

Fred Dinenage

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23 Jul 2013
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347
Any Northern mainline jobs which arise can be applied for by anyone, so it’s not down to lack of opportunities. And being an MDD absolutely lends itself to becoming a mainline driver. It’s just few from Heaton have made the transition of late.

You’ve definitely got more chance of securing a Northern mainline job if you’re already working in the industry, I’m not trying to put you off. Just letting you know it’s by no means a “ stepping stone “ to mainline as it is in other TOCs.
 

Pault

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9 Jul 2018
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Alright everyone. Is anyone else waiting to have correspondence? I passed the online assessments and received an email to confirm I was onto the next stage but have had nothing since. Anyone else still waiting ?
 
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Duns2208

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25 May 2017
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Got the rejection email today after interview a couple of weeks ago, good luck to all still in with a shout. Was really impressed with depot and future plans seems a good place to work
 
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Hi there all, i recently passed my interview to become a MDD at the Heaton depot in Newcastle for Northern and currently awaiting a date to attend my physcometric test down at Doncaster. I am just after some info about the day and what it consists of please. And also anyone know how long after the interview it’s takes for to receive a date thanks.
 

Duns2208

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25 May 2017
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There’s some great other threads on here which cover it all in detail but usually paper tests first inc group bourdon (again loads of practice resource available on here) followed by computer tests and then MMI. I didn’t do mine at Doncaster so not sure on that venue but they’re actually really good, you have to work accurately and quickly (I’d say in that order). Just listen closely to all instructions and try to enjoy the day, those assessing want you to do well. I found out a week later how I’d done but I know some get told on the day. From what I know of railways (and that is little as currently outside the industry) start dates are completely different from any other workplace, some can wait ages for a course or date. Good luck with it
 
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