Southeastern Trainee Driver - All Depots - (20/09/21)

[Grvrdvicdr]

If you applied for mainline depots there’s a good chance you’ll be waiting a very long time before you’ll be invited for assessments let alone a start date as even internal there’s long waiting lists for these especially tonbridge, but obviously depends on Recuitment and need for drivers. when I applied internally it took 5 months from application to being offered a start date so keep your fingers crossed it’ll be similar for you. Good luck!

 

[wez]

If you applied for mainline depots there’s a good chance you’ll be waiting a very long time before you’ll be invited for assessments let alone a start date as even internal there’s long waiting lists for these especially tonbridge, but obviously depends on Recuitment and need for drivers. when I applied internally it took 5 months from application to being offered a start date so keep your fingers crossed it’ll be similar for you. Good luck!

Thanks for coming back to us. Yes I can imagine the list being long but like you said fingers crossed.

 

[Azer85448]

Someone on a different thread was invited to assessment centre along with 4 others, who all applied for Hastings apparently ? All within a month of the application closing date

 

[Grvrdvicdr]

Someone on a different thread was invited to assessment centre along with 4 others, who all applied for Hastings apparently ? All within a month of the application closing date

Likely staffing needs, not many internals move to Hastings as there’s not really any variety in routes as it’s only really Hastings-London and within 40 minutes drive there’s really not that many staff living that way as most stations are unmanned most of the time, whereas tonbridge and ashford for example there’s loads

 

[Aos0304]

Someone on a different thread was invited to assessment centre along with 4 others, who all applied for Hastings apparently ? All within a month of the application closing date

I applied for Hastings on the 1st October had my assessments at the end of October and have DMI next week. Hoping it goes well

 

[MintyMango]

I applied for Hastings on the 1st October had my assessments at the end of October and have DMI next week. Hoping it goes well

Good luck mate. Let us know how you get on

 

[CFRAIL]

If you applied for mainline depots there’s a good chance you’ll be waiting a very long time before you’ll be invited for assessments let alone a start date as even internal there’s long waiting lists for these especially tonbridge, but obviously depends on Recuitment and need for drivers. when I applied internally it took 5 months from application to being offered a start date so keep your fingers crossed it’ll be similar for you. Good luck!

I applied as part of the recent campaign and am yet to hear anything, although I am internal so maybe that is why. As you say, lots depends on local needs etc...

 

[Tibbins]

Someone on a different thread was invited to assessment centre along with 4 others, who all applied for Hastings apparently ? All within a month of the application closing date

Yes this was me! Few other people I work with also applied but haven’t heard anything yet! I sadly failed the test!

I applied for Hastings on the 1st October had my assessments at the end of October and have DMI next week. Hoping it goes well

Good luck. I heard they’re only looking for one driver!

 

[Leoleo1833]

I went yesterday and i applied for dartford depo but i failed only trp over 5 test that i passed im just wondering will i have to do them again or next time i will just do the one i failed and what is left? If so for how long i have with this option?

 

[Azer85448]

I applied for Hastings as well got told I’d passed initial sift but not heard anything since. I already have a valid assessment centre pass. I work with 2 others who applied for Hastings as well.

I went yesterday and i applied for dartford depo but i failed only trp over 5 test that i passed im just wondering will i have to do them again or next time i will just do the one i failed and what is left? If so for how long i have with this option?

You should only have to retry the parts you failed and the results are valid for 5 years

 

[Aos0304]

Well had my Dmi on Tuesday and found out today that I have passed I’m over the moon all the hard work and research has payed off. Just waiting on medical now as the final hurdle

 

[HeritageSussex]

Well had my Dmi on Tuesday and found out today that I have passed I’m over the moon all the hard work and research has payed off. Just waiting on medical now as the final hurdle

Great news. Well done

 

[Newhorizons]

Well had my Dmi on Tuesday and found out today that I have passed I’m over the moon all the hard work and research has payed off. Just waiting on medical now as the final hurdle

Congrats

 

[CFRAIL]

Well had my Dmi on Tuesday and found out today that I have passed I’m over the moon all the hard work and research has payed off. Just waiting on medical now as the final hurdle

That's great news. Congratulations

 

[wez]

Hi,

last month I received an email from south eastern rail that I have successfully passed the screening process process for a trainee train driver.

anyone had this email? how long does it take to hear back about next stages?

thank you in advance

 

[PushingAButton]

When did you apply?

 

[wez]

I applied in September and got the email last month?

 

[HeritageSussex]

I applied for Hastings and had the same email. As someone said there was only one vaccancy at Hastings I asked Southeastern yesterday by email if they had now filled the position(s) - answer was yes but maybe in 2022 they'll have more but cannot comfirm anything.

 

[JammyJames08]

Good luck all

 

[MintyMango]

Been sent another holding email

 

[Jaytrains]

Same

 

[mresh91]

@ComUtoR Hello mate, since you are thee go-to SE guy on this forum, what's the driver situation looking like at metro depots? Are there currently trainees in the pipeline? Any specific depots that have major shortages compared to others and traditionally have a higher driver turnover rate?

Cheers

 

[a340egkk]

At Orpington there are at least 4 trainees currently with DIs, with at least 4 drivers having been passed out in as many months.

 

[ComUtoR]

@ComUtoR Hello mate, since you are thee go-to SE guy on this forum, what's the driver situation looking like at metro depots?

Its always pretty grim.

Are there currently trainees in the pipeline?

Many, many Trainees. Covid has created a huge backlog but its moving.

Any specific depots that have major shortages compared to others and traditionally have a higher driver turnover rate?

SE is having issues at the moment and with GBR/Williams/COVID all having an impact its anybody's guess what the future holds at SE or indeed any TOC. Don't forget that SE are under the OLR so that will also have a significant impact.

Metro always has a huge turnover. Vic suffers the worst I think. They have too many TOCs on their doorstep so staff retention is an ongoing issue. As you lean towards the coast its pretty much dead mans shoes. That hasn't really changed.

 

[mresh91]

Thank you both a340egkk and ComUtoR for your responses. I'm not a driver but I work for GTR and know which depots on my patch are perennially and most like to have shortages, so wanted a gauge on the SE side.

 

[Horizon22]

@ComUtoR Hello mate, since you are thee go-to SE guy on this forum, what's the driver situation looking like at metro depots? Are there currently trainees in the pipeline? Any specific depots that have major shortages compared to others and traditionally have a higher driver turnover rate?

Cheers

Metro is as @ComUtoR says always grim because many get their key, stay a few years and then jump over to Overground / GTR / Crossrail / SWR when salaries and many T&Cs are better. Plus people wanting to go further towards Kent.

You also have to remember there's a recruitment timeframe too - get enough people together to run a course, fit the course into the training team's timeframe, ensure its a mix of depots, ensure that times with availability and those depots managers / DIs can pass out a trainee in good time and of course balancing that with your natural wastage of retirements and transferring to other TOCs. Plus you've got the backlog of Trainees to run through due to Covid. It's something of a jigsaw.

 

[REO Nate]

Thank you both a340egkk and ComUtoR for your responses. I'm not a driver but I work for GTR and know which depots on my patch are perennially and most like to have shortages, so wanted a gauge on the SE side.

Are you in a position to maybe share your knowledge on this? I’m in the pool with GTR. DM’s open if you prefer.

 

[Emmsie]

Received an email today informing me that they will be sending out invites over the next few weeks/months for assessment centres. Tonbridge applicant

 

[HeritageSussex]

Received an email today informing me that they will be sending out invites over the next few weeks/months for assessment centres. Tonbridge applicant

Same for me but Hastings application.

 

[CFRAIL]

Received an email today informing me that they will be sending out invites over the next few weeks/months for assessment centres. Tonbridge applicant

I received the same