SWR Trainee Drivers at Staines, Woking and Waterloo

[dctraindriver]

I thought that maybe the .... was meant as a cryptic clue that aslef were trying to negotiate £62k

No...........

 

[HeelBurton]

I thought that maybe the .... was meant as a cryptic clue that aslef were trying to negotiate £62k

I think we are all just a little “disgruntled” that a lot of TOCS are being paid more than us to be honest, and no matter how many times we seem to explain things, we keep getting reminded of this

Nothing is being agreed. Nobody knows what’s being negotiated. Let’s put this one to bed until something is released.

 

[Peeler]

There is a reason that some TOCs pay more & it’s usually down to the fact they have guardless trains and drivers therefore have additional responsibilities.

 

[HeelBurton]

There is a reason that some TOCs pay more & it’s usually down to the fact they have guardless trains and drivers therefore have additional responsibilities.

Exactly that. Couldn’t agree more. I like the fact that having a guard means the driver has less responsibility, on what is high intense work already. I think if it’s just a case of you want the highest money, obviously you will do more to earn it, and if you are simply joining the grade for the cash, plenty of other TOCS pay more. Go and work there.

 

[dctraindriver]

Exactly that. Couldn’t agree more. I like the fact that having a guard means the driver has less responsibility, on what is high intense work already. I think if it’s just a case of you want the highest money, obviously you will do more to earn it, and if you are simply joining the grade for the cash, plenty of other TOCS pay more. Go and work there.

Couldn’t agree more. I want a guard with me. I don’t want DOO the extra money isn’t worth it IMHO.

 

[theironroad]

Couldn’t agree more. I want a guard with me. I don’t want DOO the extra money isn’t worth it IMHO.

In a hypothetical situation, if toc A (currently fully doo) decided to introduce guards, but drivers would be on a minimum 5 year pay freeze to create a differential with other doo drivers, do you think the drivers in toc a would vote to accept that deal or continue doo an no pay freeze.

 

[ROBERT KALFAS]

Currently SWR in recruiting for Depot Driver - Farnham. Does successful applicants get full training including train driver licence? Or this is nor required for depot driver? I am asking as would like to know if this is good start to become train driver. Would appreciate your advise. Cheers

 

[WA_Driver]

Does the .... after no mean anything?

No.....

 

[dctraindriver]

In a hypothetical situation, if toc A (currently fully doo) decided to introduce guards, but drivers would be on a minimum 5 year pay freeze to create a differential with other doo drivers, do you think the drivers in toc a would vote to accept that deal or continue doo an no pay freeze.

I can only talk for myself, I’d vote for the freeze. I’m not mortgaged up to my eyeballs so my salary is a sufficient. 5 years is a long time to go without a rise, something the public sector have experienced over the past 10 years and something I have personally experienced as other half is in the NHS. However I could see why others would say no pay freeze.

 

[Stigy]

Currently SWR in recruiting for Depot Driver - Farnham. Does successful applicants get full training including train driver licence? Or this is nor required for depot driver? I am asking as would like to know if this is good start to become train driver. Would appreciate your advise. Cheers

You will be a driver grade (you’ll have to do all the psychometric assesments the same as a mainline driver). Therefore if you transferred to mainline you’d just need to do the routes and other classroom stuff you won’t be taught for depot driver.

Worth noting also that SWR make Depot drivers retake their psychometric assesments every 3-years. This to me seems very strange, but I have a friend who is a depot driver with them and had to do this. I don’t know if it’s a standard across all TOCs, but it seems daft to have to retake the tests which measure one’s aptitude for the job. Also, if you fail, you’ll apparently not lose your job?

 

[Dieseldriver]

You will be a driver grade (you’ll have to do all the psychometric assesments the same as a mainline driver). Therefore if you transferred to mainline you’d just need to do the routes and other classroom stuff you won’t be taught for depot driver.

Worth noting also that SWR make Depot drivers retake their psychometric assesments every 3-years. This to me seems very strange, but I have a friend who is a depot driver with them and had to do this. I don’t know if it’s a standard across all TOCs, but it seems daft to have to retake the tests which measure one’s aptitude for the job. Also, if you fail, you’ll apparently not lose your job?

If a SWR Depot Driver becomes a Mainline Driver then they sit a full Trainee Drivers course including rules, driving hours, traction and routes. The competency isn't transferable. However, it's a well worn career path and is definitely a fantastic step to work towards a Trainee Mainline Driver role.

 

[Stigy]

If a SWR Depot Driver becomes a Mainline Driver then they sit a full Trainee Drivers course including rules, driving hours, traction and routes. The competency isn't transferable. However, it's a well worn career path and is definitely a fantastic step to work towards a Trainee Mainline Driver role.

Apologies, I was probably a bit blasé about it. I meant all the rules etc would have to still be taken if a Depot Driver went mainline and they would still have to apply as a trainee. Still being a driving grade, depot drivers won't have to do any of the entry assessments again though (unless expired apparently). Agreed it's a good way on to mainline driving. Not sure I'd necessarily say that's the goal during an interview, because where some TOCs/FOCs are quite open that depot driving is usually a stepping stone to mainline, SWR don't take this view on the whole (or that's not the intention of the job anyway), although admittedly I guess a lot of people do join to go mainline, the interviewing manager might want to recruit staff because they want to be a depot based driver, rather than jump ship as soon as a mainline trainee vacancy comes up.

 

[MDCW]

I just found out I failed my MMI. Tough to fail at this late stage. All I was told is i didn't give a sufficient answer in Area A. Anyone know if that could have been one particular question, or an overall character trait? Thanks

 

[Stigy]

I just found out I failed my MMI. Tough to fail at this late stage. All I was told is i didn't give a sufficient answer in Area A. Anyone know if that could have been one particular question, or an overall character trait? Thanks

Sorry to hear this. It sounds like a specific question? Otherwise why tell a lay person ‘area A’? Give them a call maybe? Was this your first attempt at the process?

 

[MDCW]

Sorry to hear this. It sounds like a specific question? Otherwise why tell a lay person ‘area A’? Give them a call maybe? Was this your first attempt at the process?

yes my first attempt. I did call.. insufficient answer given in Area A was mentioned, though no specific question was allowed to referenced. I think I knew what the failed question was, but when I tried to go into detail the conversation stopped.

 

[Peeler]

I just found out I failed my MMI. Tough to fail at this late stage. All I was told is i didn't give a sufficient answer in Area A. Anyone know if that could have been one particular question, or an overall character trait? Thanks

yes my first attempt. I did call.. insufficient answer given in Area A was mentioned, though no specific question was allowed to referenced. I think I knew what the failed question was, but when I tried to go into detail the conversation stopped.

Sorry to hear that mate.

 

[MDCW]

Sorry to hear that mate.

Thanks, one more pop at it in 6 months....i'll be wise to look to a different career path now. Good luck to others in the process.

 

[Peeler]

Thanks, one more pop at it in 6 months....i'll be wise to look to a different career path now. Good luck to others in the process.

I assume it was for SWR? How long did it take to get to that point?

 

[MDCW]

I assume it was for SWR? How long did it take to get to that point?

I applied October 2017. So I moved quickly apparently.

 

[Peeler]

2017??? And that was moving quickly?! Wow!

 

[MDCW]

2017??? And that was moving quickly?! Wow!

Yeah, some are waiting 3-4 years..

 

[Peeler]

Yeah, some are waiting 3-4 years..

I’ve dropped you a private message.

 

[Lewis H]

I applied October 2017. So I moved quickly apparently.

What depot was that for? I applied mid last year and started training last week! That seems like a crazy amount of time to be waiting!

 

[Peeler]

What depot was that for? I applied mid last year and started training last week! That seems like a crazy amount of time to be waiting!

Well that’s a little more reassuring!

 

[MDCW]

What depot was that for? I applied mid last year and started training last week! That seems like a crazy amount of time to be waiting!

It was for Woking

 

[WA_Driver]

Here is part of a current advert for a qualified driver for GWR..Oxford and Reading station...
Qualified Train Driver - East (8305)

Salary: £50,977 per annum.

At GWR, we're looking for Qualified Train Drivers who want to deliver a different kind of rail service. Where rewards are first class, and where salaries will rise to around £62k by 2020. Where the fleet is being modernised. And where you'll get the chance to drive through some of the UK's most beautiful countryside, across the South West of England and Wales.

As SWR is part of First Group does it not apply also??

From the lastest job advert for trainee drivers on SWR

“Training Salary raises throughout the training programme. It starts at £24,649 going up to £33,008 before becoming a fully productive driver on £51,817”

 

[WA_Driver]

FYI (closes tonight)

https://uk.firstgroupcareers.com/va...terloo-9648-london-waterloo/9677/description/

 

[Sh*n]

From the lastest job advert for trainee drivers on SWR

“Training Salary raises throughout the training programme. It starts at £24,649 going up to £33,008 before becoming a fully productive driver on £51,817”

Hi,
Sorry if this has been covered, I was just wondering if drivers earns more when working Sundays or does £51817 includes sundays, and London allowance?
Many thanks.

 

[dctraindriver]

Hi,
Sorry if this has been covered, I was just wondering if drivers earns more when working Sundays or does £51817 includes sundays, and London allowance?
Many thanks.

No extra money for working Sunday, add £2k extra for London allowance if at Wat, Wim, Strawberry Hill.

 

[ProteanReptile]

https://uk.firstgroupcareers.com/vacancy/find/results/?utm_source=clickiq&utm_medium=indeed

Not sure if this link is already in the thread somewhere. Trainee Train Drivers in the North. Cleethorpes, Glasgow, Hill, Manchester Picadilliy, Liverpool (that's all I can remember).

Apply and good luck!