Hi all, it is really interesting to read these comments about cops looking to leave the job and train to become train drivers.
I have just shy of 14 years service in the police, and I too am looking for a change, and train driver is something which interests me - I just like to plan my day out and deal with what comes along, and as long as I have my procedures to work to, I'm happy.
My only concern is the pay cut I'd have to take, from the £37k as a cop, to the £21k as a trainee driver, but I'm off-setting this against the fact that my nursery fees for my daughter, and our mortgage is as-good-as paid up.
I did apply to be a trainee driver in February at the Manchester stations, but I didn't get past the paper sift, but I feel that this was due to rushing the application form in order to meet the deadline, as I didn't see the job until last minute.
I keep looking out, but I need to be based at one particular station, because I am outside the commuting distance of all other stations.
I have been in contact with the HR of one TOC, and they will be going through an on-going recruitment process, and have advised me to keep monitoring their website.
I reckon as a cop, we have many transferable skills - communication, discipline, following rules/regs/procedures, decision making, working under pressure, customer service, to name but a few.
Reading this thread has inspired me to actually do some planning work around this in anticipation of the next round of advertisements for the role.