Trainee Train Driver - Virgin Trains East Coast

[Torres]

Any idea how many are on a course? Must be close to filling all the vacancies if they are full until October

 

[Kaltias]

Any idea how many are on a course? Must be close to filling all the vacancies if they are full until October

As far as I'm aware, the Edinburgh candidates haven't even had psychometrics yet (that's early April) so I hope they'll be leaving space for that cohort!

 

[ManOnATrain]

Duplicate post.

 

[Tyrion]

Anybody know how easy it is to transfer between depots once fully trained and driving independently? Searched online but didn't find much.

Each TOC is different but it will be around the 3 years mark after you become productive that you can out your name down for a move and depend on bacancies at your chosen depot you could move immediatley or have to wait years

 

[TJ123]

Anybody know how easy it is to transfer between depots once fully trained and driving independently? Searched online but didn't find much.

As Tyrion says each TOC is different. Most TOCs it seems in order to transfer you would need to have completed your probationary period and be fully productive so your looking at 2/3 years.

After your 2/3 years at my TOC in order to transfer you would need to put you name down on the waiting list for your chosen depot, some depots are more popular then others so you could be waiting anything from a few months to a few years. If you do get to the top of that list at my TOC your transfer will be discussed between management and the union and they will decide if you can transfer.

I don't know if other TOCs have this but at my TOC, you are limited to only 2/3 transfers. Although I have seen other drivers do mutual swaps and it not count as 1 of their transfers apparently. As mentioned earlier each TOC will vary.

 

[Torres]

As far as I'm aware, the Edinburgh candidates haven't even had psychometrics yet (that's early April) so I hope they'll be leaving space for that cohort!

I am one of them which is what is a little worrying. I attended group assessments and was told I'd passed before some people being given start dates for courses had even attended the group assessment.

Just seems a long wait of nothing whilst others are progressing quickly

 

[Kaltias]

I am one of them which is what is a little worrying. I attended group assessments and was told I'd passed before some people being given start dates for courses had even attended the group assessment.

Just seems a long wait of nothing whilst others are progressing quickly

Me too, my tests are on the 11th.. I've heard that there are very few that got through for Edinburgh, only single figures.. Not sure how true that is though. I really hope the wait doesn't mean that if we pass we'll be waiting forever for a course.

 

[Tyrion]

Me too, my tests are on the 11th.. I've heard that there are very few that got through for Edinburgh, only single figures.. Not sure how true that is though. I really hope the wait doesn't mean that if we pass we'll be waiting forever for a course.

Would not worry about it Qualified successful candidates have been told the next 2 courses for us is October and November! Madness as we can be productive in 4-6 months as opposed to over a year! But I imagine 6 month notice periods may be one of the reasons

 

[Davidson4301]

I've just has an email from Becky watson asking me what annual leave I have booked. She said they are busy collating course dates and then formal offers will be sent out ��


Edit. Just been offered October 23rd start date on a trainee course .I'm for Newcastle depot .
There may be earlier start dates but I have annual leave for August pre booked.

 

[danyurl]

I've just has an email from Becky watson asking me what annual leave I have booked. She said they are busy collating course dates and then formal offers will be sent out ��


Edit. Just been offered October 23rd start date on a trainee course .I'm for Newcastle depot .
There may be earlier start dates but I have annual leave for August pre booked.

Ooooo nice one! I'm still yet to hear regarding my medical pass... did you get in contact or did she message you first?

 

[Davidson4301]

Duplicate post

 

[Davidson4301]

Ooooo nice one! I'm still yet to hear regarding my medical pass... did you get in contact or did she message you first?

I contacted her this morning asking for updates and a he replied straight away. I asked if I could hand my notice now or wait for the official paperwork but she said to do it now as it's definite.
Over the moon.
Did you have any joy ?

 

[Davidson4301]

Well this has all gone a bit quiet. I take it no one has received a contract yet ?

 

[danyurl]

Well this has all gone a bit quiet. I take it no one has received a contract yet ?

I'm still waiting on my test result from the medical, the wait is painful.

 

[Davidson4301]

I'm still waiting on my test result from the medical, the wait is painful.

Have you emailed her ? She got back to me straight away.

 

[danyurl]

Have you emailed her ? She got back to me straight away.

Yeah I emailed on Friday afternoon so was hoping for a reply today but I think there was an assessment centre on Thursday so that may have backlogged her?

 

[Sirgerbil]

Well this has all gone a bit quiet. I take it no one has received a contract yet ?

I've been promised that my contract will be with me tomorrow....I wont hold my breath! But if it is, I'll deliver all the relevant details on here, as promised.

 

[Ffcsteve14]

I've been promised that my contract will be with me tomorrow....I wont hold my breath! But if it is, I'll deliver all the relevant details on here, as promised.

When is your start date??

 

[Sirgerbil]

When is your start date??

May 3rd

 

[Ffcsteve14]

May 3rd

Thanks mate. Wouldn't expect June for a while! Can't wait to hear what's in it!!

 

[Ashxmufcx]

Thanks mate. Wouldn't expect June for a while! Can't wait to hear what's in it!!

I'll second that!

 

[Chomp]

I've been promised that my contract will be with me tomorrow....I wont hold my breath! But if it is, I'll deliver all the relevant details on here, as promised.

Hi - how did you get told you should recieve the contract today?

 

[Davidson4301]

I just feel a bit nervous about handing my notice in without a solid contract offer. My start date isn't till Oct so I think I'll just wait .

 

[LETHLFH]

Davidson, I think I remember yourself mentioning earlier in thread you are a T&W metro driver, just out of interest are you being taken on as a trainee or as a qualified driver?

 

[Sirgerbil]

Hi - how did you get told you should recieve the contract today?

The person I've been dealing with at VTEC told me it would be today as I have been chasing my contract (Due to start in 5 weeks, not willing to hand my notice in until contract is in my hands)

 

[Davidson4301]

Davidson, I think I remember yourself mentioning earlier in thread you are a T&W metro driver, just out of interest are you being taken on as a trainee or as a qualified driver?

Yeah that's right , I went in as a trainee .

 

[Chomp]

The person I've been dealing with at VTEC told me it would be today as I have been chasing my contract (Due to start in 5 weeks, not willing to hand my notice in until contract is in my hands)

Yeah - im in the same boat. I have to give notice this week if they want me starting on time. Its out of Rebeccas hands now so I literately have no one to chase it up with and their phones are never answered

 

[Davidson4301]

Yeah - im in the same boat. I have to give notice this week if they want me starting on time. Its out of Rebeccas hands now so I literately have no one to chase it up with and their phones are never answered

Who's dealing with it now if it's not Rebecca ?

 

[Sirgerbil]

Yeah - im in the same boat. I have to give notice this week if they want me starting on time. Its out of Rebeccas hands now so I literately have no one to chase it up with and their phones are never answered

Ah okay, are you a trainee too?

She's assured me today at the latest so we will see what the day brings.

 

[xtradj]

Have to say it's very dissapointing how difficult it is to get in touch with them regarding questions and circumstances. It appears it has been easier for others whilst some seem to have no luck in being able to contact anyone.