SWR- Depot Driver Bournemouth (25/05/21)

[Firestarter]

First UK Careers

First UK Careers, uk, careers, jobs, bus driver, train driver, engineer

uk.firstgroupcareers.com

 

[mcmagnus4]

Hello all,
Did anyone else apply for this?
I found another thread from last October which looks like they were advertising previously for the same role.
I’ve tried researching the role online but looks like a lot of TOC’s run their depot drivers/shunter driver roles differently. Anyone know much about the Depot Driver role at Bournemouth/ South Western?
Thanks in advance

 

[Stigy]

Hello all,
Did anyone else apply for this?
I found another thread from last October which looks like they were advertising previously for the same role.
I’ve tried researching the role online but looks like a lot of TOC’s run their depot drivers/shunter driver roles differently. Anyone know much about the Depot Driver role at Bournemouth/ South Western?
Thanks in advance

As a Depot Driver at SWR you’re a driver grade, however don’t cross any mainlines so won’t do a full rules course like some TOCs do for their Depot Drivers. This has its pros and cons, for example I guess the transition to mainline driving (if that’s the route you wanted to take of course) would be more seamless if you’ve already done a full rules course. On the flip side, the training will naturally be a lot less lengthy, and certainly not as intense if you don’t do a full rules course (as with SWR).

You’ll have a European Train Driving Licence, and thus (technically) not have to retake psychometric assessments if you decided to go mainline (however, I say “technically” as I did hear SWR specifically make you redo these every 3 years….that came from a depot driver friend of mine, and strikes me as very strange given the purpose of these assessments?).

 

[Flosursus]

As a Depot Driver at SWR you’re a driver grade, however don’t cross any mainlines so won’t do a full rules course like some TOCs do for their Depot Drivers. This has its pros and cons, for example I guess the transition to mainline driving (if that’s the route you wanted to take of course) would be more seamless if you’ve already done a full rules course. On the flip side, the training will naturally be a lot less lengthy, and certainly not as intense if you don’t do a full rules course (as with SWR).

You’ll have a European Train Driving Licence, and thus (technically) not have to retake psychometric assessments if you decided to go mainline (however, I say “technically” as I did hear SWR specifically make you redo these every 3 years….that came from a depot driver friend of mine, and strikes me as very strange given the purpose of these assessments?).

SWR depot drivers only have ID cards and do not recieve ETDLs, sadly.

 

[Stigy]

SWR depot drivers only have ID cards and do not recieve ETDLs, sadly.

I stand corrected, I thought they did. I assume that’s because they don’t cross mainlines etc as I said above? Maybe that’s why SWR have them redo psychometric assessments too? Still seems strange as they are a driver grade still.

 

[Flosursus]

I stand corrected, I thought they did. I assume that’s because they don’t cross mainlines etc as I said above? Maybe that’s why SWR have them redo psychometric assessments too? Still seems strange as they are a driver grade still.

Yeah, it took me by surprise too!
The depot driver course is around 2 weeks long and then you're out with a DI when one becomes available.
The depot drivers seem very forgotten at SWR but still a great job. Excellent pay compared to depot drivers at other TOCs too.

 

[Stigy]

Yeah, it took me by surprise too!
The depot driver course is around 2 weeks long and then you're out with a DI when one becomes available.
The depot drivers seem very forgotten at SWR but still a great job. Excellent pay compared to depot drivers at other TOCs too.

I think a lot of it’s down to the grade at other TOCs. At GWR we have manos and Depot Drivers (Manos don’t cross mainlines but Depot Drivers do….do t think there’s much difference in pay though?). A lot of depot driving roles are shunt driver roles and they seem to pay less too?

 

[mcmagnus4]

Thanks @Stigy and @Flosursus for replying & the information, much appreciated.
Interesting that they do not receive ETDL's and like you say that is excellent pay considering the much shorter training and also the pay I've seen for other similar 'shunter roles'. Also it states an average of 35 hours a week so I'd be interested to know what the shift pattern is like, overtime situation, etc if anybody knows.
Either way I'm really glad that I've applied as it looks like the advert got taken down early, looks like a great job.

 

[mcmagnus4]

So I’ve passed all the first stage assessments for this role (we did everything in one day except for the MMI as SWR do that after the DMI it seems) & have now been booked in for the DMI. I’ve been doing some research for questions I’ll likely be asked so I can prepare but just wondering if anyone knows if the questions differ atall for depot driver vs train driver? All the information I can find is related to train driver roles. I’m assuming it would be similar but wondering if anybody has any experience/info on this.
Many thanks in advance.

 

[Flosursus]

So you'll likely be asked about what you know about the depot or depots in general. Like speed (5mph or 3mph through a washer, for example), line protection used, who controls movements etc etc
Then you may be asked general things like what you know about the company, what you know about the role, what makes you a good fit and questions like that.
They might ask you situational questions but that's usually left until the MMI but it's always best to be prepared. So it could be a time you've worked under pressure, a time you've had to question authority, a time you've had to keep focused for a long period of time, so on and so forth.

Good luck! We'll done on coming this far, I'm sure you'll smash it!!

So I’ve passed all the first stage assessments for this role (we did everything in one day except for the MMI as SWR do that after the DMI it seems) & have now been booked in for the DMI. I’ve been doing some research for questions I’ll likely be asked so I can prepare but just wondering if anyone knows if the questions differ atall for depot driver vs train driver? All the information I can find is related to train driver roles. I’m assuming it would be similar but wondering if anybody has any experience/info on this.
Many thanks in advance.

Forgot to press reply, see above

 

[mcmagnus4]

So you'll likely be asked about what you know about the depot or depots in general. Like speed (5mph or 3mph through a washer, for example), line protection used, who controls movements etc etc
Then you may be asked general things like what you know about the company, what you know about the role, what makes you a good fit and questions like that.
They might ask you situational questions but that's usually left until the MMI but it's always best to be prepared. So it could be a time you've worked under pressure, a time you've had to question authority, a time you've had to keep focused for a long period of time, so on and so forth.

Good luck! We'll done on coming this far, I'm sure you'll smash it!!


Forgot to press reply, see above

Thanks so much @Flosursus thats great information, really appreciate it!!

It seems like its a great job but not as much information out there about it. I’m guessing that’s because it’s a newer role and less depot drivers vs mainline drivers. I’m going to work hard on prepping for this interview & give it my all.
Thanks again

 

[Flosursus]

Thanks so much @Flosursus thats great information, really appreciate it!!

It seems like its a great job but not as much information out there about it. I’m guessing that’s because it’s a newer role and less depot drivers vs mainline drivers. I’m going to work hard on prepping for this interview & give it my all.
Thanks

Its a great job! If you need anything else, ill be happy to try and help

 

[vikingdriver]

I don't know Bournemouth depot but it may be best not to quote speeds unless you are 100% sure it is correct. Salisbury depot on SWR for example is 10mph (except in the sheds/washer).