Northern - Trainee Service Driver Neville Hill [Leeds] (30/03/22)

[ollie_hobbs]

https://northern.engageats.co.uk/VacanciesV2.aspx

Applications End 03/04/2022

About the Role (Taken from website)
We’re now recruiting for Trainee Service Drivers to join us at our Neville Hill, Train Maintenance depot, in Leeds. Our 2 year Driver Training Apprenticeship Programme comes with a permanent role and an opportunity to play your part in our brand-new future.

As part of the Trainee Service Driver team, you will be responsible for moving our trains around the Depot. You’ll be responsible for Depot driving, shunting, light maintenance, and other tasks such as fault finding and reporting. Ensuring you keep people safe; you will be trained in and regularly assessed to ensure you continue to apply and conform to the railway rules and operating procedures. You will also be responsible for checking that the train environment is up to our market leading standards.

You don’t need previous driving experience as our Apprenticeship Programme offers full Driver Training. You’ll spend your first 16 weeks taking part in classroom-based learning in either Leeds or Manchester, followed by a minimum of 2 years training in our depot with our full support, as you develop your skills.


I've just applied myself, good luck to anyone else who may be interested.
I thought twice about giving this role more attention, so be thankful i shared it!

 

[skyhigh]

As I've said on a previous thread relating to trainee depot drivers - a word of caution to anyone who thinks this is a good stepping stone to mainline driver. It can be very difficult to transfer from depot to mainline. Not impossible, but depots can be reluctant to release depot drivers!

 

[ollie_hobbs]

As I've said on a previous thread relating to trainee depot drivers - a word of caution to anyone who thinks this is a good stepping stone to mainline driver. It can be very difficult to transfer from depot to mainline. Not impossible, but depots can be reluctant to release depot drivers!

Has to better starting from here than from no railway experience? Getting psychometrics and driver training as part of the role seems a pretty good start. If the only downside is leaving what's the reason for it being so difficult?

If this has been discussed before can you link the thread, cheers

 

[Newapplicant]

Funnily enough, a friend who works for Northern recently said this to me when I asked about what the role was like.

I can sort of understand the reluctance from Northern as you're being trained up for 2 years to do a role and then at the first sign of a mainline job coming up your applying and off.

I'm still considering applying though as I've currently no railway experience and can't help but feel that it would help in the future if I were to go in for it. I've already got an application in with Northern for trainee driver based out of Leeds, just praying that get's picked up

Best of luck with your application @ollie_hobbs

 

[Rosy]

I have applied for this too… coming from no Railway background I thought it would be a good choice although appreciate the comments with regards to moving on.
It previously was advertised with a closing date of last Friday so must have been readvertised.

 

[skyhigh]

I can sort of understand the reluctance from Northern as you're being trained up for 2 years to do a role and then at the first sign of a mainline job coming up your applying and off.

The main issue is depot drivers come under 'engineering' and mainline drivers don't. So essentially the training comes out of the 'engineering' budget. If you apply for mainline driver - even if you pass the interview - Engineering can turn round and say 'no, we need them, we won't release them' or will only agree to release them when a replacement has been trained, which might not fit in with a mainline course. And if you think about it, why would they want to pay to train someone who clearly wants to go at the first chance they get? In comparison it's pretty straightforward to go from guard to driver say, assuming you can pass everything to the required standard.

In addition while there's similarities, there are fairly significant differences between working on a depot and as a mainline driver - and there's previously been issues with 'depot culture'. Some people have had to complete the full driver course again to go mainline.

So it's by no means impossible to go from depot to mainline, but it can be difficult.

 

[ollie_hobbs]

I'm still considering applying though as I've currently no railway experience and can't help but feel that it would help in the future if I were to go in for it. I've already got an application in with Northern for trainee driver based out of Leeds, just praying that get's picked up

Best of luck with your application @ollie_hobbs

Thanks! Sadly I just missed the application window for northern mainline trainee driver would have also applied for that. Good luck with your application ! Hopefully I can catch the next window, same time next year maybe?

I have applied for this too… coming from no Railway background I thought it would be a good choice although appreciate the comments with regards to moving on.
It previously was advertised with a closing date of last Friday so must have been readvertised.

Good luck! Let us know when you hear any news, I'll try do the same!

The main issue is depot drivers come under 'engineering' and mainline drivers don't. So essentially the training comes out of the 'engineering' budget. If you apply for mainline driver - even if you pass the interview - Engineering can turn round and say 'no, we need them, we won't release them' or will only agree to release them when a replacement has been trained, which might not fit in with a mainline course. And if you think about it, why would they want to pay to train someone who clearly wants to go at the first chance they get? In comparison it's pretty straightforward to go from guard to driver say, assuming you can pass everything to the required standard.

In addition while there's similarities, there are fairly significant differences between working on a depot and as a mainline driver - and there's previously been issues with 'depot culture'. Some people have had to complete the full driver course again to go mainline.

So it's by no means impossible to go from depot to mainline, but it can be difficult.

Thanks for this helps a lot, I'll see what happens and if anything progresses. I get this particularly for internal roles, but say I drive at a depot for 3-4 years and then apply externally elsewhere as a already qualified driver - there seems to be much more opportunities readily available if you have already passed psychometrics and driver training.

 

[MostlyHarmless]

As I've said on a previous thread relating to trainee depot drivers - a word of caution to anyone who thinks this is a good stepping stone to mainline driver. It can be very difficult to transfer from depot to mainline. Not impossible, but depots can be reluctant to release depot drivers!

Maybe it varies by TOC, but there have been are quite a few depots drivers that are currently on mainline driving courses at mine. It's also the case that some TOCs now require you to start as a depot driver before you can progress to mainline.

Either way I think it's worth applying for - you've nothing to lose!

 

[16.19]

The main issue is depot drivers come under 'engineering' and mainline drivers don't. So essentially the training comes out of the 'engineering' budget. If you apply for mainline driver - even if you pass the interview - Engineering can turn round and say 'no, we need them, we won't release them' or will only agree to release them when a replacement has been trained, which might not fit in with a mainline course. And if you think about it, why would they want to pay to train someone who clearly wants to go at the first chance they get? In comparison it's pretty straightforward to go from guard to driver say, assuming you can pass everything to the required standard.

In addition while there's similarities, there are fairly significant differences between working on a depot and as a mainline driver - and there's previously been issues with 'depot culture'. Some people have had to complete the full driver course again to go mainline.

So it's by no means impossible to go from depot to mainline, but it can be difficult.

This is very true

 

[heedfan]

I did this job previously and have now transitioned to mainline. I would encourage anyone to apply if you are new to the railway as it gives you an excellent grounding to how the railway works and is also a great and rewarding role within it's own right.

However, be aware that now that this role involves completing the train driving apprenticeship (it did not previously), other TOCs are significantly less likely to take you on as a trainee mainline driver as there is no opportunity for them to reclaim to apprenticeship rebate, as you can't do the qualification twice. This has happened to more than one person I know of. Also be aware that you are extremely unlikely to be considered for a fully qualified vacancy as you will have no mainline experience and no high speed practical handling. So you in effect become ineligible for both trainee and qualified vacancies.

Some TOCs (Lumo, XC come to mind recently) and FOCs have recruited specifically for those with depot driving experience or even general railway experience but these vacancies are much less common.

On balance I would definitely encourage those looking to get onto the railway to apply. It is by no means impossible to make the transition to mainline driver from these roles, but be aware that it is not a guaranteed stepping stone, as others have also said.

 

[Rosy]

Thanks! Sadly I just missed the application window for northern mainline trainee driver would have also applied for that. Good luck with your application ! Hopefully I can catch the next window, same time next year maybe?


Good luck! Let us know when you hear any news, I'll try do the same!


Thanks for this helps a lot, I'll see what happens and if anything progresses. I get this particularly for internal roles, but say I drive at a depot for 3-4 years and then apply externally elsewhere as a already qualified driver - there seems to be much more opportunities readily available if you have already passed psychometrics and driver training.

Good luck to you too! Will let you know if/when I hear anything!

 

[ollie_hobbs]

I did this job previously and have now transitioned to mainline. I would encourage anyone to apply if you are new to the railway as it gives you an excellent grounding to how the railway works and is also a great and rewarding role within it's own right.

However, be aware that now that this role involves completing the train driving apprenticeship (it did not previously), other TOCs are significantly less likely to take you on as a trainee mainline driver as there is no opportunity for them to reclaim to apprenticeship rebate, as you can't do the qualification twice. This has happened to more than one person I know of. Also be aware that you are extremely unlikely to be considered for a fully qualified vacancy as you will have no mainline experience and no high speed practical handling. So you in effect become ineligible for both trainee and qualified vacancies.

Some TOCs (Lumo, XC come to mind recently) and FOCs have recruited specifically for those with depot driving experience or even general railway experience but these vacancies are much less common.

On balance I would definitely encourage those looking to get onto the railway to apply. It is by no means impossible to make the transition to mainline driver from these roles, but be aware that it is not a guaranteed stepping stone, as others have also said.

Just out of curiosity, where did you work as a depot driver and for how long? And then where are you now you've moved to a mainline role? Just curious about progression options, I ideally don't want to make the mistake of getting stuck.

 

[heedfan]

Just out of curiosity, where did you work as a depot driver and for how long? And then where are you now you've moved to a mainline role? Just curious about progression options, I ideally don't want to make the mistake of getting stuck.

I will PM you.

 

[sargentsiri]

Having a friend who has been depot driving for quite a few years, all this talk of its not a direct route into driving makes me chuckle a little - you might actually find you prefer depot driving and may not want some of the 'difficulties' that come with mainline driving. Whilst, not earning massively less than your mainline driving colleagues.

I think if you are looking for a driving career, this is a perfect opportunity.

Of course, everyone is different - this is just food for thought

 

[Orange08]

Does anyone happen to know if the £30,078 quoted on the advert is full salary or is it a training wage? Also what is the realistic earning potential once you are in the role full time?

 

[Rosy]

Just had an email to say they are still working their way through the applications!

 

[ollie_hobbs]

Just had an email to say they are still working their way through the applications!

Just had this email today as well;
"Your application is now under consideration and is being screened"

Hopefully we hear more soon

 

[ollie_hobbs]

No further updates on this yet, still stuck on;
"Application under consideration"

Anyone heard anything on this role for those who applied - be it progression or rejection?

 

[Rosy]

No further updates on this yet, still stuck on;
"Application under consideration"

Anyone heard anything on this role for those who applied - be it progression or rejection?

I have an interview in June.

 

[Newapplicant]

No further updates on this yet, still stuck on;
"Application under consideration"

Anyone heard anything on this role for those who applied - be it progression or rejection?

I too am in the same boat, it's still showing 'application under consideration.'

 

[ollie_hobbs]

I have an interview in June.

Nice stuff! How long ago did you hear about it? Is it a virtual one or in person

 

[Rosy]

Nice stuff! How long ago did you hear about it? Is it a virtual one or in person

Got the invite only last Thursday! Face to face it is!

 

[Newapplicant]

Heard the other day that I now have an interview - Quite excited.

I'm looking for some clarification though if anyone can assist? Is the recruitment process the same as that of a train driver, I mean do you still have to undergo psychometric training despite not being on the mainline when driving? It's my understanding you'd only be shunting between yards, sidings and depots?

In terms of the light maintenance can anyone advise on what type of things are expected?

 

[nb2001uk]

Heard the other day that I now have an interview - Quite excited.

I'm looking for some clarification though if anyone can assist? Is the recruitment process the same as that of a train driver, I mean do you still have to undergo psychometric training despite not being on the mainline when driving? It's my understanding you'd only be shunting between yards, sidings and depots?

In terms of the light maintenance can anyone advise on what type of things are expected?

You still have to do psychometric testing

 

[skyhigh]

In terms of the light maintenance can anyone advise on what type of things are expected?

Fuelling, tanking the units (emptying toilet tank, filling fresh water tank), filling up screenwash, checking repair books to see if any defects have been reported - that kind of stuff. Nothing too technical.

 

[ollie_hobbs]

I also have been invited to an interview for this role - Monday 6th

 

[ollie_hobbs]

Had my interview two weeks ago - not had either confirmation or rejection as of yet (despite 10-14 days feedback time, maybe the strikes are affecting this?).

Has anyone else had final confirmations or dates yet?

 

[kevin0113]

Fuelling, tanking the units (emptying toilet tank, filling fresh water tank), filling up screenwash, checking repair books to see if any defects have been reported - that kind of stuff. Nothing too technical.

The reception staff that work on the lines, when the trains come in for refuelling and so on do those above jobs. I work at the Neville hill depot

 

[NorthernTech]

The reception staff that work on the lines, when the trains come in for refuelling and so on do those above jobs. I work at the Neville hill depot

Do you not find the commute to be a bit tiring?